Pasadena Chik-fil-A Awards First 100 Customers

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By Hayley Gable
Driving along Jumpers Hole Road and Ritchie Highway in Pasadena anytime during March 30 or 31, it would be difficult to miss the commotion. Well over 250 people, along with their tents, chairs, grills, picnic tables and games invaded the Chick-fil-A parking lot, each in hopes of gaining one prize: Free Chick-fil-A for a year.
Not scheduled to officially open to the public until Thursday, March 31 at 6:00am, campers began lining up over 24 hours in advance to be part of the chain’s traditional grand opening festivities.


Seven years after it debuted at an Arizona store, Chick-fil-A’s First 100 celebration ushers in each grand opening around the country. The tail gate-style parking lot party draws loyal customers and fans who come from all over.
“I’ve lost count of how many Chick-fil-A openings I’ve camped out for,” confessed Joe Schweitzer, who drove down from Allentown, PA. “This is probably number 20-something.” Joe and his friend Chris Cesanek, also of Allentown, had never been to Pasadena before, but left their homes at 2:00am on March 30 to make the nearly three-hour journey to Jumpers Hole Road. “It’s just a whole lot of fun. Once we get the vouchers, we like to give them out to friends and family throughout the year,” he added.


Continuing with tradition, the Pasadena Chick-fil-A awarded a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A  meals - 52 certificates for one meal per week - to each of the first 100 adults in line, age 18 and older. And even though the temperature hovered just above 40 degrees and the grey, lifeless sky threatened rain, the bundled-up group of campers were in high spirits.
“I took the day off to be here,” added Brian Nguy of Severn, who pitched a tent and camped out with 11 friends. “We just thought it would be fun and something different. Some of the activities are outrageous,” he added.
The activities Chick-fil-A hosts throughout the day included a live DJ, scavenger hunt, hula-hoop contest, and even “American Idol”-style competition.
Throwing a football around to pass time, a group of high school students on spring break were in high spirits for the event. “We got here at 5:30 this morning and pitched our tent. It’s just a fun way to spend spring break,” stated Mikey Basch of Columbia, MD.
Basch and friend Ben Smith of White Hall, MD, quickly made friends with fellow campers and spring-breakers Nathan Reed and Alex Crout of Arnold. “Chick-fil-A food is amazing. It’s my absolute favorite,” added Basch.
Sure enough, as the morning of Thursday, March 31 rolled around, the free meal vouchers were distributed at 6:00am to the cold and tired crowd. After a brief grand opening and awards ceremony, Chick-fil-A of Pasadena officially opened its doors to the public.
This location features a 4400-square-foot interior that seats 134 patrons, with additional outdoor seating. Also featured are an award-winning drive-thru, an indoor children’s play area, and an interactive section for toddlers. The new Chick-fil-A is open Monday through Saturday from 6:00am to 10:00pm, and serves a full breakfast menu until 10:30am.
For those interested, the next Chick-fil-A grand opening celebrations are scheduled for April 7 in Elizabethton, TN, and April 14 in Saint Peters, MO. And just like the Pasadena location, the first 100 customers will receive free Chick-fil-A vouchers for a year.






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