No 'First 100' Chick-fil-A Camping Out May 31 In DC

WASHINGTON, DC — When the new Capitol Hill East Chick-fil-A opens tomorrow, there is no need for fans to camp out the night before in a bid to win free chicken for a year. Instead, the Chick-fil-A restaurant that opens June 1 will celebrate with a special May 31 event featuring the chain’s First 100 Road Trip.

The restaurant will pick the first 100 people who register Wednesday morning — or draw names if more than 100 show up on May 31 — and drive them around the DC area on buses for about six hours of service activities — including assembling 10,000 meals for DC Central Kitchen — and other events in order to earn a year's supply of Chick-fil-A meals.

Upon completion of the road trip, each eligible participant will return to the restaurant around 4:30 p.m. to continue the celebration with dinner. Participants will then receive a digital offer card loaded with a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A meals — 52 meals with each consisting of a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries and a medium beverage.

The 1,500-square-foot restaurant at 1401 Maryland Ave., NE., will bring 60 jobs to the area and collect donated children’s books to benefit a local youth organization.

The Chick-fil-A First 100

A tradition going back 14 years, Chick-fil-A’s First 100 celebrations have given away over $31 million in free food through 2016. However, unlike previous First 100 events, this Chick-fil-A grand opening celebration will not involve any overnight activities. Instead, eligible participants 18 years and older can start gathering shortly before 6 a.m. on May 31, to register and immediately participate in a grand opening giveaway celebration.

Designed to be a "mooving experience" on many levels, participants will be moved around the DC area on chartered buses while spending about six hours in activities that will provide opportunities to get up and move in addition to impacting and moving others in the community through acts of service along the way.

Upon completion of the road trip, each eligible participant will be taken back to the restaurant at to continue the celebration.

Registration will be held that morning from 6 to 9:45 a.m., or until 100 eligible participants are reached, whichever comes first. If more than 100 people are onsite when the line officially opens at 6 a.m. on May 31, a drawing will be held to randomly select the First 100.

The event is open to guests who live in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. A list of eligible zip codes and event rules can be found on the restaurant’s here.

Children’s Book Drive

Reflecting his desire to continue making a positive impact, franchise operator Peter Choi is inviting the community to celebrate the new location by participating in a children’s book drive during grand opening week. The books, being donated to a local youth organization, will serve as a free library exchange and be placed in a nearly 3-foot Book House built from reclaimed wood. Since 2014, Chick-fil-A has collected more than 41,117 books that have been donated to 241 local organizations in 43 states and DC.

Restaurant Details

• The 1,500-square-foot Capitol Hill East Chick-fil-A drive-thru restaurant features a kitchen with Chick-fil-A’s latest design and equipment and a pedestrian walk-up window and patio that seats 20.
• Full-service menu, offering a variety of healthy options, including breakfast until 10:30 a.m., and will be open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Photos: Chick-fil-A