Die-Hard, Chick-fil-A Fans Camp Out In Lake Elsinore: PHOTOS

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — It was a sleep-over, parking-lot palooza this week in Lake Elsinore that only Chick-fil-A fans truly understand.

A company tradition for grand openings of new Chick-fil-As, dubbed the "First 100 Campout," are overnight extravaganzas as patrons pop tents, set up lawn chairs, roll out sleeping bags and line up to be among the first 100 on opening day to win a year of Chick-fil-A meals.

In true Chick-fil-A fan fashion, patrons turned up en masse Wednesday night at 18601 Dexter Ave. in Lake Elsinore before the restaurant opened its site Thursday morning with the goal of being the first 100 customers through the doors and to win digital-offer cards, pre-loaded with a year of free Chick-fil-A — 52 meals consisting of a chicken sandwich, waffle potato fries and a beverage.

The Lake Elsinore franchise, that includes a two-story, kiddie playground, is owned by Cameron Goettsche, a Southern California native and UC Santa Barbara graduate, who once played professional basketball in France and also worked as a student at the chain before embarking on a 12-year career in law enforcement, according to management.

"Our goal is to provide a remarkable experience for every guest, every time, by serving food they can truly feel good about eating, providing sincere hospitality and being a good neighbor,"said Goettsche, adding that he and his wife, Melanie, and their two boys are thrilled to plant roots in the Lake Elsinore area.

For Goettsche to be awarded the local franchise was no small feat, as the company receives nearly 60,000 applications yearly for approximately 100 franchise opportunities, the business said.

The 5,000-square-foot restaurant includes a dual-lane, drive-thru, counter service, in-restaurant dining and free Wi Fi, and will be open 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.

Follow the new Lake Elsinore Chick-fil-A here on Facebook.

Family-owned, Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A was founded in 1967 and prides itself on being closed on Sundays and offering scholarships to employees. The Lake Elsinore store is one of 2,500 nationwide, and among 10 slated to open this year in Southern California, management said.

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