Customers brave rain, sleet to get a taste of Chick-fil-A

Fitzgerald was among 100 people who camped out in front of the Chick-fil-A for 24 hours to win a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A meals.  He arrived at Chick-fil-A at 5:15 a.m. Wednesday, even before the line started at 6 a.m.

To keep himself warm overnight, Fitzgerald brought a portable heater with him.

"It kept the chill off," he said. "It provided a little heat so I was not freezing cold."

The promotion was part of Chick-fil-A's grand opening Thursday of its restaurant at 185 N. Randall Road, the first in the Tri-Cities. Chick-fil-A employees greeted Fitzgerald and the others with applause as they strolled through the restaurant at about 6 a.m. to receive their meal tickets.

The restaurant officially opened for business at 6:30 a.m.

Fitzgerald has traveled to seven states to participate in 17 grand openings. For Fitzgerald, it's about more than just free food.

"It's a party atmosphere," he said. "I've met a lot of great people."

This is the sixth time Joe Jones, of Carol Stream, has camped out at a Chick-fil-A grand opening. He was sure to bring a tent with him.

"I'm just not brave enough to sit in a lawn chair and hope for the best," Jones said. "This is the coldest one I've been to."

He was able to stay warm without a heater.

"I had plenty of blankets," Jones said. "I stayed pretty warm."

Todd Moore, 45, of Griffin, Ga., has racked up plenty of free food from Chick-fil-A over the years. Thursday's grand opening was his 70th one.

"When you do a lot of them, you sort of get addicted to them," Moore said.

He sees a lot of the same people when he camps out.

"It is sort of like a family reunion," Moore said.

Murray Collier, the owner/operator of the Batavia Chick-fil-A, said he was overwhelmed by the turnout. His wife, Jamie, grew up in Batavia.