Crowds Camp Out For Free Chick-fil-A In SGV: PHOTO SHOW

WEST COVINA, CA — Roughly 170 "Eat Mor Chikn" fans showed up in the parking lot of the new Chick-fil-A in West Covina Wednesday evening, ready to camp out overnight in the parking lot to be among the first 100 in line for the store's morning opening to win a year of free meals.

The "First 100" event is an opening-day tradition for the Atlanta-based restaurant chain. Of the 170 or so who lined up around 6 p.m. Wednesday, a drawing was held to narrow the group to 100, plus 10 alternates, company officials said.

Those who made it through the night, armed with beach chairs, tents and sleeping bags, enjoyed festivities and were awarded digital-offer cards, pre-loaded with a year of free Chick-fil-A — 52 meals consisting of a chicken sandwich, medium waffle potato fries and a medium beverage.

The restaurant, the first in West Covina and located at 200 S. Vincent Ave., is owned and operated by Danny Hernandez, a West Covina native. A graduate of Covina High School, Hernandez was 22 when he began his Chick-fil-A journey as he was helping his mom, Mary, pursue a job at the Azusa Chick-fil-A and ended up working at the restaurant, as well, management said. He stayed with the fast-food eatery and used three different Chick-fil-A scholarships to help him earn bachelor's and master's degrees from Azusa Pacific University.

After climbing company ranks, Hernandez, whose wife, Priscila, also worked for the chain, dreamed of opening his own franchise, and within 15 months of applying was named operator of the restaurant at Vincent and Lakes Drive — no small feat as management said they receive some 60,000 applicants for approximately 100 opportunities annually.

The 4,250-square-foot, West Covina locale, with approximately 100 employees, offers a dual-lane drive-thru, in-restaurant dining for 90 patrons, free Wi-Fi and a 36-seat outdoor patio. Hours are Mondays through Saturdays 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. All Chick-fil-As are closed Sundays.

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