Chicken sandwich fanatics -- make that the free chicken sandwich fanatics -- made their way out to Bethlehem, Ga., Wednesday.
A newly built Chick-fil-A near the northeast Georgia town became the site of a tent city as people prepared to camp out for a shot at free meals over the next year. The town about an hour outside Atlanta gets its first standalone Chick-fil-A when the restaurant opens Thursday.
About 325 people gathered Wednesday morning, according to a Chick-fil-A representative. A raffle determined the 100 potential winners, who will now be required to stay on-site until 6 a.m. Thursday to claim their prizes -- 52 meal certificates that can be used any time over the next 12 months.
Local college students were well-represented, but people came from South Carolina, Florida and Alabama as well, the company said.
Chick-fil-A has offered free food with restaurant openings since 2003, often drawing large crowds -- and generating a PR bonanza for the chain.
Since the "First 100″ promotion began, Chick-fil-A says it has given away more than $11.2 million in free food at more than 430 restaurant grand openings. The privately-held company, which currently has more than 1,480 locations, plans to give away meal certificates worth more than $1.8 million at store openings this year.
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