More than 40 Chick-fil-A fans lined up at 6 a.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the newest Gainesville Chick-fil-A restaurant at 1917 N.E. Jesse Jewell Parkway.
In a tradition going back more than 13 years, Chick-fil-A’s First 100 celebration has given away more than $31 million in free food through 2016 and continues to be the chain’s signature grand opening event. According to company rules, participants may begin to line up 24 hours in advance of store grand opening. The first 100 in line at the time of the store opening will receive free Chick-Fil-A meals for a year.
Operator Bobby Shoemaker said the "campers" will be fed breakfast, lunch and dinner with an evening snack. Games, entertainment, prizes and a block party with a lip sync battle in the evening will also help pass the time.
In addition, the campers at the new Gainesville location will be helping to package 10,000 meals for the Georgia Mountain Food Bank's Feeding Children Everywhere effort.
Children's books will also be collected and donated to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County as part of a community book drive. New and gently used books can be dropped off at the new restaurant during grand opening week. They will be placed in a 3-foot Book House, made from reclaimed wood, to serve as a free library exchange.
Shoemaker also operates the Chick-Fil-A location on Dawsonville Highway in Gainesville.
The new Jesse Jewell Parkway location brings 85 jobs to the area.
The new restaurant officially opens at 6 a.m. Thursday, July 27.
