GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - A popular fast-food chain is officially opening its doors in Grand Island this week, and brings with it new jobs, community partnerships and high anticipation. 

Chick-fil-A will officially open its doors starting at 6:30 a.m Thursday at the newly upgraded Conestoga Marketplace, near the newly-built Target.

The location brings more than 120 new jobs to the area and is led by owner and operator Carl Dann, who is a longtime Chick-fil-A team member from Georgia who now calls Grand Island home.

"It's a dream come true- really for everyone that aspires to be an owner-operator of a Chick-fil-A franchise, this moment still won't seem real until Thursday morning when those doors open and the guests are coming in," said Dann.

When asked about what helped solidify Grand Island as the location, Dann said the warm welcome from the community helped seal the deal when he was applying to lead the store.

"It was absolutely the people. It was like, 'oh the city must've hired actors to come greet us.' And I was like, 'there really is a place like this. All right, this is where we want to live, '"said Dann. 

The restaurant has donated $25,000 to Feeding America for local hunger relief, and has partnered with Crossroads Mission to donate any unused food.

Starting in January, the location will also offer free online college courses to all team members through a national scholarship initiative.

Officials said that, as part of opening-day festivities, any guests who show up dressed like a cow on Thursday will eat for free.