Chick-fil-A Grand Opening

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (Oct. 7, 2015) – West Des Moines’ newest stand-alone Chick-fil-A® restaurant will open Oct. 7 at 4502 University Ave. The new West Des Moines Chick-fil-A restaurant, owned and operated by David Grimm, will bring 80 new jobs, the chance for 100 adults to win free Chick-fil-A meals for a year and the opportunity for community members to donate books that will benefit a local non-profit organization.

The opening comes as Chick-fil-A marks the 12th anniversary of its “First 100” promotion, which continues to be the chain’s signature grand opening event. Launched at the opening of the chain’s stand-alone restaurant in Arizona in October 2003, the First 100 celebration has given away more than $25 million in free food since it began. For 24 hours, the restaurant parking lot is transformed into a community friendly party as fans await the opening.

The First 100 event will award more than $32,000 in free food. A digital offer card loaded with a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A Meals will be given to each of the first 100 eligible adults, ages 18 and older with identification, in line when the doors open about 6 a.m. on Oct. 7. If more than 100 people are onsite when the line officially opens at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, then all 100 spots will be determined by a drawing held that morning with those selected needing to camp out for 24 hours to secure their spot. This community event is open to guests who live in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. Interested participants may obtain a complete listing of zip codes and rules at www.chick-fil-a.com/locations/first-100.

To celebrate the new Chick-fil-A restaurant and the West Des Moines community, Grimm is collecting new children’s books to benefit a local non-profit organization. The community is invited to bring children’s books to the restaurant during store operating hours from Oct. 7 through Oct. 9. Those participating in the First 100 event are also invited to donate. The books will be placed in a nearly three-foot Book House, created entirely from reclaimed wood and donated by the Chick-fil-A Foundation.

The University Ave. Chick-fil-A restaurant is located in the Shoppes at Three Fountains. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant features the chain’s newest interior and kitchen design and can seat 130 in the dining room with additional outside patio seating for 30. It is the first of two Des Moines area locations to open in the next two weeks, with the next restaurant to open in Ames on Oct. 14

The new West Des Moines Chick-fil-A includes dual drive-thru ordering lanes to expand the chain’s award-winning drive-thru service by enabling motorists to place their orders at separate screens and then merge into a single lane to pay for and pick up their orders. With a majority of Chick-fil-A customers choosing to drive-thru, the ability for two drivers to simultaneously order will mean quicker service.

Customers will be able to stay connected through the restaurant’s free Wi-Fi and parents will appreciate the indoor play area that includes an interactive section for toddlers. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m. Like all Chick-fil-A restaurants, it will be closed on Sunday.

Grimm has been selected as the Owner/Operator the new University Ave. Chick-fil-A. Prior to joining the company, he opened and operated a build-your-own Mexican restaurant. Grimm and his wife, Kelly, have four children. They are excited about serving the West Des Moines community at their new location.

“Personalized customer service and freshly prepared food have been the hallmarks of Chick-fil-A since the day founder Truett Cathy opened his first restaurant,” said Grimm. “My team members and I are committed to those same ideas as we welcome our guests to our new West Des Moines restaurant and provide them with a remarkable experience.”

The University Ave. Chick-fil-A restaurant opening is one of 88 new restaurants the chain plans to open nationally in 2015 -- creating more than 7,000 new jobs.

For more information on the University Ave. Chick-fil-A restaurant, visit http://www.Chick-fil-a.com or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CFAUniversityAve.

Lindsay Ables

C.P. Communications Inc.

843.452.1865

lindsayables@cpcommunicationsinc.com