Site work underway at new restaurant location in front of Tractor Supply Company on Highway 27

A Rockmart native is coming back to Polk County to take up the tall task of being the owner-operator of a new Chick-fil-A location in Cedartown, and the dirt is now flying to bring those plans to fruition.

Soon-to-be owner Kristen Pruitt Brannon told family, friends and officials who gathered Monday afternoon at the new site just in front of the Tractor Supply Company in Cedartown on Highway 27 North is set to open in 2023. She is excited to be moving back home after owning and operating a Chick-fil-A within the Valdosta Mall in South Georgia during the past few years.

“This is a coming home for me. This is a dream and a prayer that we have prayed, and we did not know it would come to fruition in this fashion,” she said. “We’re very excited to be moving back at the beginning of this year.”

Brannon, a native of Rockmart, has roots across Polk County via family in Cedartown, Rockmart and Taylorsville. She operates the Valdosta Mall location for Chick-fil-A currently.

Her husband Tyler and their 1 1/2-year-old son Gaines are joining her in the return to Polk and closer to home. Along with a few employees she’ll be bringing up from south Georgia to relocate to Polk County.

During Monday’s ceremony, Tyler provided a blessing upon the construction site which is a tradition within the Chick-fil-A organization at each new restaurant location.

The real blessing will be getting to return closer to family members.

“In Cedartown, we have the Meeks and the Pruitts there, and in Rockmart and Taylorsville, we have the Garretts and the Robinsons. It’s coming from all angles that I’m able to come home,” Brannon said. “The Lord has been super-faithful in that, and we’re excited to call Cedartown home.”

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Cedartown Commission Chair Andrew Carter said the new restaurant is a positive for the local economy, and for those who have been hoping Cedartown would soon match Rockmart with a restaurant of their own.

“Today (Monday) has been a long time coming ,” he said. “This site will soon transform from an empty dirt lot to a business teaming with activity. We can’t wait to follow all its progress.”

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Pruitt added her thanks and support for family and friends who have helped make the dream of coming home and operating a Chick-fil-A possible alongside those at the company who also made the opportunity for her possible.

The new restaurant will take time to go up, and it is expected the Chick-fil-A of Cedartown will open sometime in early 2023, depending on any weather and supply delays that might intrude on the construction timetable.

Rick Lumpkin is acting as superintendent of the construction site.

Site work on the new location began earlier this month to begin clearing, drainage and other preparations needed to begin construction on the restaurant.

Brannon previously announced via Facebook that she would be leading the charge to bring Chick-fil-A to Cedartown back in early August. She additionally shared her thanks with Chick-fil-A of Rockmart owner Zach Thomas, who himself is a native of Cedartown.

Along with officials from the City of Cedartown, local County government Commissioners and administrators, along with the Polk County Chamber of Commerce and the Development Authority of Polk County participated in Monday’s ceremony.