There are more than 100 people camped out today in the parking lot of a new restaurant in Starkville, but not because they are homeless.
The impromptu tent city outside of the new Chick-fil-A began to emerge around 5 a.m. today and will likely remain until the grand opening at 6 a.m. Thursday. The restaurant, located on the corner of Highway 12 and Stark Road, awards a free meal every week for a year to the first 100 adults in line at the grand opening of any of its restaurants and, since 2003, has given away more than $16 million in free food.
The first 100 people committed enough to be at the Starkville location Wednesday morning will become the next recipients of the promotion.
Adam Robbins, who made the trip from Tuscaloosa, said this was the first grand opening he has been to, but so far, it’s all gone smoothly.
“I definitely thought there would be more people here,” Robbins said. “We are all happy though, we all got our numbers.”
Chick-fil-A employees gave those who showed up today wristbands, nametags and had them fill out paperwork, said Dowell Green, a Mississippi State University student.
The restaurant is also providing three meals and refreshments for the 25-hour event.
Starkville is one of 96 new locations the chain plans to open across the country in 2012 and opened its first restaurant in Columbus earlier this year.
Franchise Operator Jon Munger, a University of Mississippi graduate, will head operations in Starkville, and has owned sandwich shops for years in Atlanta. He also has family members and college friends within the city, and said he is looking forward to serving the community of Starkville.
“Chick-fil-A has come a long way since it opened that first tiny Chick-fil-A restaurant in an Atlanta mall 45 years ago, but one thing has remained constant — our focus on providing top quality food in a friendly neighborhood environment,” Munger said. “My team members and I share that same commitment at our new Starkville restaurant and can’t wait to welcome and serve our new guests.”
Chick-fil-A hours will be from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
