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

Photos courtesy of Chick fil-A

Chantilly, Va - Are you interested in winning a free year of Chick-fil-A meals? If so then join the line of people that already started this morning -- a day before the Grand Opening of the new Chantilly location at 3454 Historic Sully Way.

Chick-fil-A restaurant is offering a free year of Chick-fil-A meals to the first 100 adults through the door tomorrow, June 30, according to a Chick-fil-A announcement.

By 3:00 p.m. today, June 29, 35 were people registered to camp out overnight, according to a Chick-fil-A spokesperson, who said that they'll continue taking folks in until there are 100 people registered. Some Fairfax County Firefighters stopped by the restaurant this afternoon and it began raining cows (little cows with parachutes to be exact), the spokesperson added.

Local franchise owner Michel Lusakueno will open Chantilly’s newest stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurant, bringing 80 new jobs, the chance for 100 adults to win free Chick-fil-A meals for a year, and the opportunity for the community to donate children’s books to the Benefit Shelter House Inc.

The Chick-fil-A First 100

According to Chick-fil-A, the first 100 celebration is a company tradition that goes back 12 years, during which it has given away nearly $27 million in free food at store grand openings. Rain, snow and extreme temperatures below zero or above 100 do not deter fans who arrive with tents, chairs, TVs, computers and other gear.

Each fan is hoping 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 6 a.m. on June 30. If more than 100 people are onsite when the line officially opens at 6 a.m. on June 29, a drawing will be held to select the First 100. Those chosen will be required to camp out until the grand opening in order to secure their spot.

This community event is open to guests residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. A complete listing of eligible zip codes and rules can be found at www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/Openings. See list for zip codes that are located in Chantilly, Ashburn, Catharpin, Centreville, Clifton, Fairfax, Great Falls, Herndon, Oakton, Reston, Sterling and Vienna.

“My team members and I can’t wait to welcome our guests,” said Lusakueno. “We’re not just in the chicken business — we’re in the people business. Our goal is to provide a remarkable experience for every customer, every time, by serving food our guests can truly feel good about eating, providing sincere hospitality and being a good neighbor in the Chantilly community.”

Children’s Book Drive

Lusakueno is inviting his First 100 guests and restaurant customers to celebrate the new location by participating in a children’s book drive for Benefit Shelter House Inc., a community-based, non-profit shelter that aims at eliminating homelessness. Lusakueno is collecting new and gently used children’s books on June 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on June 30, from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The donated books will be placed in a nearly 3-foot Book House to serve as a free library exchange. The Book House, built from reclaimed wood, is donated by the Chick-fil-A Foundation (http://www.chick-fil-afoundation.org/). Last year with the help of communities from coast to coast, Chick-fil-A collected more than 10,000 books, which were donated to 89 local organizations in 30 states and Washington, D.C.

Restaurant Details

The new Chantilly Chick-fil-A restaurant features a:

• green standard building with a heritage design that showcases handmade, authentic materials for a vintage-inspired interior, including a large gathering table made from reclaimed wood, subway tiles, and light fixtures made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles and peach baskets.
• parking lot focused on environmental friendliness, with four low emission vehicle parking spots.
• two-story interactive indoor play area for children and free Wi-Fi.
• drive-thru service expanded to offer dual drive-thru ordering lanes and screens to enable customers to quickly move into a single lane for payment and pick up.
• dining room with seating for 120 and additional outdoor patio seats with views of the Dulles International Airport and the Air & Space Museum.
• full-service menu including breakfast until 10:30 a.m., and will be open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Like all Chick-fil-A locations, it will be closed on Sunday.

More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com.