Brookfield Chick-fil-A is Gearing Up for Giveaways, Grand Opening Oct. 8 & 9

Connecticut’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant will open their doors on October 8 to the first 100 customers for a free giveaway at 140 Federal Road, at the former site of Burger King. Their grand opening and ribbon cutting is planned for Oct. 9.

Devon Scanlon, a Brookfield native, is planning two celebrations for the grand opening; a “First 100” giveaway for a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A meals to the first 100 adults in line on opening day Oct. 8, a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Oct. 9 and a separate grand opening just for kids on Oct. 11.

The “First 100” celebration encourages Chick-fil-A fans to arrive up to 24 hours in advance for an overnight parking lot campout. Previous openings included attendees setting up tents, TVs, computers, gaming systems and other gear to pass the time while camping out overnight.

The new Brookfield Chick-fil-A restaurant is the first of four Connecticut locations slated to open within the next six months. Other restaurants will open in Danbury, Wallingford and Enfield.

The new site will create 80 jobs for locals and a chance to get involved in the community through sports boosters, pop warner and more. Scanlon has deep roots in Brookfield and has already begun reaching out to local nonprofits and other organizations to partner with.

A Brookfield High class of 1996 graduate, Scanlon said it was her coaches and mentors who helped shape her.

“I grew up here in Brookfield and there are so many role models who made me who I am today. ” Scanlon said.

Her passion for the community shows, sharing how she cried when hiring her first employee, a Brookfield High School student. “Everything is coming full circle,” she smiled.

“I have a vested interest in what goes on in Brookfield and I’m passionate about the success of the town. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s part of the fabric of the community.”

The new restaurant will have free Wi-Fi, indoor seating for 109, additional outdoor patio seating and an interactive play area.

“My son and I will be the first ones down the slide on opening day, so we’re pretty excited about that,” Scanlon said.

With all the excitement comes some cause for concern for the restaurant owner.

Chick-fil-A made headlines last summer when its CEO Dan Cathy spoke about the company’s support of the “biblical definition of a family unit.” Chick-fil-A made contributions to anti-gay organizations totaling almost $2 million through their WinShape Foundation in 2010.

When asked how she would respond to any protesters at the grand opening Scanlon said, “I look forward to people getting to know who I am and welcome people to come in and have coffee with me. I believe in equality for everyone.”

One more bump in the road may be the lack of a straight arrow at the traffic light at the Shop Rite plaza. Scanlon said the Town of Brookfield did a traffic study and said the straight arrow for entering the restaurant was not needed. Scanlon said it may be two years before the change is made, so drivers are urged to use caution when approaching from the Shop Rite plaza.

Despite these concerns, Scanlon said she can’t wait to open.

“I am honored with the great response I have gotten in Brookfield and the welcome in the community,” Scanlon said.

Chick-fil-A fans can stay up to date on grand opening news and other events by visiting the restaurant’s Facebook page.

*This article has been edited to clarify that there are 3 separate dates for the 3 separate grand opening events.

Photo: Devon Scanlon Credit: Wendy Mitchell

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