What would you do for a year's worth of free chicken?
For a handful of Colorado residents the answer is camp out in the freezing snow for more than 24-hours.
Chick-Fil-A is opening its new free-standing restaurant at Fort Collins Marketplace Thursday morning at 6 a.m., and the first 100 people through the door will receive a year's worth of free chicken.
By 5:10 a.m. Wednesday morning, amid 30-degree temperatures and swirling snow flurries, the line began with the Burns family. By 11 a.m. the number of people camping out in snow-covered tents had reached nearly 50.
Ken and Janice Burns huddle in their large gray Kelty tent with their two daughters Leah and Staci, trying to keep warm. The family was the first to arrive in line for the opening. Ken Burns said it is a good way to bond as a family and get some free food in the process.
Janice Burns was laid off this year when her company downsized, and she said the family can't afford to eat out. The give away is a good opportunity for the family to eat out for free, she said. The irony is the family from Laporte hates to camp. All of their equipment, from the tent to sleeping bags, is borrowed from a friend.
"This is kind of silly for me to do, this is what college students do," said Janice Burns, who was initially going to camp out with the kids. However, when she found participants must be 18-years-old to qualify for the free coupons, her husband joined in.
Justin Aller, 28, of Denver took a personal day to drive up and camp out for the opening. He was the 40th in line and said it was worth braving the treacherous weather.
"Chick-Fil-A has such good food it is worth camping out in the snow for 24-hours for a years worth of free chicken," he said.
Operator Stevan Stein, who turned his franchise at Foothills Mall over to Corporate in order to run the new location, said the commitment of the store's fans is a testament to its product.
"I was surprised to see them here so early, but that's what our raving fans do," Stein said.
The store will cap the line at 110 people and provide them with access to rest-rooms and snacks; however they must remain in line in their tents over night to qualify for the 52 free combo meal coupons. The 52 coupons equate to one free meal a week for a year, however customers can use them whenever they like.
