Lake Elsinore Chick-fil-A To Open: Win Year Of Free Eats

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Chick-fil-A is opening its first Lake Elsinore restaurant this week with the company's signature, grand-opening festivities — an overnight parking-lot "First 100 Campout," as die-hard fans vie for the chance to be among the first 100 patrons through doors to score a year of free meals.

The new locale with a kiddie playground, at 18601 Dexter Ave., opens Thursday, Nov. 14, an achievement for owner and operator, 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.

“My team members and I can’t wait to welcome and serve our guests at our Dexter Avenue restaurant, as well as the community outside our doors,” said Goettsche, adding that he and his wife, Melanie, and their two boys are thrilled to plant roots in the Lake Elsinore area. "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."

Accompanying the 12-hour countdown to the Dexter Avenue eatery opening is the business' traditional "First 100 Campout," where patrons line up to be among the first 100 through the door to win a digital-offer card, pre-loaded with a year of free Chick-fil-A — 52 meals consisting of a chicken sandwich, waffle potato fries and a beverage.

At the Lake Elsinore restaurant, fans can begin their "sleep-over" Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. for 6 p.m registration. But do note: To qualify, guests must be 18 or older and show valid ID that they reside in specific Zip codes surrounding the restaurant. See Zips, details and rules at https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/News/Future-Openings.

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.

His 5,000-square-foot restaurant will include a two-story indoor playground for children, 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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