Apr 15, 2015 4 min read

Tents and sleeping bags filled the parking lot, music played on the stereo, guests participated in games and won contests. Some even danced the Cupid Shuffle. That’s all part of what made Chick-fil-A’s grand opening in South Strabane Township exciting for those who participated in the “First 100” event March 25.

Every time a Chick-fil-A restaurant opens, it hosts a “First 100” event. Guests are welcome to come as early as 24 hours before the restaurant opens to camp in the parking lot. One hundred of those guests receive 52 free meals for their effort.

Cliff Lester was one local guest who braved the rain to participate.

“[It’s] something fun to do. Something new, different,” said Lester after being asked why he chose to participate. He eagerly awaited the “First 100” event since summer, when he made sure he could get a babysitter. Lester was guest No. 22, arriving at 5:30 A.M. March 25.

He joked, “Well, if you’re going to do it, you might as well do it right.”

Guests under the age of 18 were not eligible, but many participated for the experience. Throughout the day, the guests were fed Chick-fil-A meals, a foretaste of the prize they awaited. Contests, games, prizes, dancing and music were all provided by the staff at Chick-fil-A.

When asked how well he expected to sleep, Lester replied, “I think as good as one can get sleeping on pavement.”

Mike Dejong also participated in the event. He arrived after work as guest No. 88 and planned to spend the night before going to work Thursday morning.

“I’m doing it for the free food,” laughed Dejong. He added later, “It’s, like, all I have to do is sleep on the ground for…52 free meals. Easy. Easy decision.”

Dejong plans to use his 52 free meals to take his family, and possibly friends, out to eat.

Brittany Kaye, wife of Washington Chick-fil-A’s owner/operator Kory Kaye, also played a role in the “First 100” and grand opening.

“I have actually had a very enjoyable role today,” she said. “I served Kory quite a bit in ways that I can with paperwork and whatnot. But today, I’ve really enjoyed just getting to see a lot of the guests who are here and getting to learn; a lot of the team members have been here training today, and, of course, the trainers, so I just love getting to know the people that Kory’s been raving about.”

Kaye related the hard work involved with opening a restaurant, mentioning she and her husband often worked past midnight.

“Honestly, I’m his biggest fan…he’s the hardest-working person I know,” said Kaye of her husband.

Kaye anticipates seeing the hard work come together and watching it in action. She looks forward to supporting and encouraging the new team of workers as part of her role in the restaurant.

Kory Kaye described the opening events at Chick-fil-A as “surreal in a lot of ways.” Although he experienced the “First 100” and Chick-fil-A grand openings as a trainer, it excited him to see people come support Chick-fil-A.

“I want to, by God’s grace, live up to the expectations that those that are working for me have.” Throughout his workload and dedication, Kaye said, “[It’s] definitely a unique time. I’d say that the Lord’s been faithful, and just know that this is a time of sacrifice for what’s to come.”

Chick-fil-A has proven to be a popular addition to the Washington community, due in part to dedicated guests and dedicated management. As Kory Kaye said, “[It’s] an opportunity to give back and just have a lot of fun.”