Campers Line Up at Sterling Chick-fil-A 24 Hours Before Grand Opening

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Fans are lining up at the new Chick-fil-A restaurant in Sterling today, Nov. 2, to try their hand at winning free Chick-fil-A meals for a year, according to a Chick-fil-A announcement. By 7 a.m. today, 52 people had reportedly pitched tents to camp out in the parking lot. At 2 p.m. Chick-fil-A announced that 64 people had registered to camp out overnight and that they'll continue to register campers until the 100th person signs up. Set to open on Nov. 3 at 6 a.m., the new Chick-fil-A location is at 22015 Dulles Retail Plaza in Sterling.

According to Chick-fil-A, guests may line up 24 hours before the grand opening to try to be one of the first 100 adults through the door to win a year of free Chick-fil-A meals. This community event is open to guests residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. A list of eligible zip codes and rules can be found at www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/Openings.

A tradition going back more than 13 years, Chick-fil-A’s First 100 celebration has given away nearly $27 million in free food through 2015 and continues to be the chain’s signature grand opening event. Rain, snow and extreme temperatures below zero or above 100 do not deter Chick-fil-A fans who arrive with tents, chairs, TVs and computers.

Each fan hopes to win a digital offer card loaded with a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A meals (52 meals with each consisting of a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries and a medium beverage) that will be awarded to the first 100 eligible adults - ages 18 and older with identification - in line when the doors open at each location around 6 a.m. on Nov. 3. If more than 100 people are onsite at either location when the lines officially open at 6 a.m. on Nov. 2, all 100 spots will be determined by a drawing held that morning with those selected needing to camp out for 24 hours to secure their one-year-supply of Chick-fil-A, according to the announcement.

Photo credit: Chick-fil-A