West Hills Chick-fil-A To Open: Want To Eat Free For A Year?

WEST HILLS, CA – A new Chick-fil-A restaurant is set to open July 26 in West Hills, and owner Rudy Neal is hosting a franchise tradition -- the overnight "First 100" pop-up party in the parking lot starting at 6 a.m. on July 25, along with a children's book drive supporting the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley.

Customers, 18 and older with identification and from specified Zip codes, who hang in there as the first 100 in line and through the door on opening day have a chance to win free Chick-fil-A meals for a year.

Chick-fil-A's signature First 100 events, opening-day traditions, date back to 2003, but there are rules. If more than 100 people are at the site when the line officially opens at 6 a.m. July 25, a drawing will be held to randomly select the First 100. Those chosen then will be required to camp out until the grand opening in order to secure their spot, according to operators. See rules here.

The winner will receive a digital-offer card loaded with a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A -- meaning 52 meals consisting of a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, medium waffle potato fries and a medium beverage.

Also, the offer is extended only to residents from specific Zip codes. For the West Hills opening, First 100 customers must hail from the following Zips:

• 91307
• 93064
• 91304
• 91372
• 91367
• 91303
• 91309
• 91308
• 91305
• 91377
• 91365
• 91313
• 93063
• 93099
• 91306
• 91364
• 91396
• 91371
• 93094
• 91302
• 91301
• 91311
• 91324
• 93062
• 91357
• 91376
• 91335
• 93065
• 91362
• 91385
• 91337
• 91328
• 91329
• 91327
• 91356
• 91326
• 91330
• 90290
• 91325
• 91358
• 91359
• 91394
• 91316

For the new, local franchise owner Neal, the chicken business has come full circle as he worked on his father’s chicken farm in Sumter, S.C., and traces his first taste of Chick-fil-A back 50 years to 1968 when his family visited friends in Atlanta -- where the Greenbriar mall stood as the site of the brand’s very first Chick-fil-A restaurant, which opened in November 1967.

Neal's Atlanta friend talked about Chick-fil-A and its great chicken sandwich, and at age 7, together with his brother, he pooled their money and they bought their first of many Chick-fil-A sandwiches.

Twenty-six years ago, Neal, a U.S. Navy veteran and former Johnson & Johnson executive, discussed with his wife, Angela, the prospect of opening a Chick-fil-A, but the conversation was tabled until 2013 when she agreed and he applied for the franchise. The deal went through in 2017.

“Owning my own Chick-fil-A provides a platform to extend a positive influence on guests, team members and the community,” Neal said. “My team and I are excited to provide a remarkable experience and share our energy and passion as we introduce our amazing brand with its award-winning service and freshly prepared and handcrafted menu to those in the West Hills area.”

In addition to the First 100 event, Neal is using the West Hills grand opening week to collect new and gently used children’s books to be placed in the "Book House" for the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley, which serves youth from San Fernando Valley.

The West Hills eatery, which will create an estimated 104 jobs, is located at 6400 Fallbrook Ave. and will offer free Wi-Fi, indoor and outdoor seating, plus drive-thru service. Hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Follow the local Chick-fil-A on Facebook here.

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--Image of Rudy and Angela Neal via Chick-fil-A