Chick-fil-A Opening at Station Park in Farmington

The craziest thing about Chick-fil-A openings is the big camp-out in the parking lot the night before. Station Park’s Chick-fil-A will keep to this 13-year tradition when it opens , giving away a year of free CFA meals to the first 100 customers coming in to the store at 6 a.m. Sept. 8.

In 2011, I interviewed franchise owner Craig Saxton when his CFA opened in Layton. There were sleeping bags, tents, TVs, even bunk beds set up by determined people who wanted to be in the first 100 customers.

According to a CFA press release, the family-friendly overnight First 100 party will pop up in the Station Park’s restaurant parking lot at 440 N. Station Parkway,  24 hours before the grand opening.  This community event is open to guests residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. A list of eligible zip codes and rules can be found at www.chick–fil–a.com/Locations/Openings.

Each fan hopes to win 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) for the  first 100 eligible adults – ages 18 and older with identification – in line when the doors open at 6 a.m. on Sept. 8. If more than 100 people are on site when the line officially opens at 6 a.m. on Sept. 7, a drawing will be held to randomly select the First 100. Those chosen will be required to stay on the premises until the grand opening, in order to secure their spot.

And just so you understand what you’re up against, there were 240 people in line on Sept. 7, hoping to be one of the first 100.

“After much anticipation, my team members and I can’t wait to welcome our guests to Farmington’s first Chick–fil–A restaurant,” said franchise owner Seth Poor. “We’re not just in the chicken business — we’re in the people business. Our goal is to provide a remarkable experience for every customer, every time, by serving food our guests can truly feel good about eating, providing sincere hospitality and being a good neighbor.”

Becoming a Chick–fil–A franchise owner is no small feat. The company receives some 24,000 applications yearly for approximately 100 franchise opportunities. Poor was a vice-president at Merrill Lynch before deciding to take the CFA plunge.

In December 2009, he was selected as operator of the new Chick–fil–A restaurant in Pompano Beach, Fla. He became active in the community, serving as Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America, supporting schools surrounding his store as well as Junior Achievement, Boys and Girls Club and the Broward Children’s Center.
Poor is inviting his First 100 guests and customers to celebrate the new location by participating in a children’s book drive to benefit Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. He is collecting new and gently used children’s books at the restaurant on Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 8 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sept. 9 until noon. The donated books will be placed in a Book House free library exchange at the hospital.  The Book House, built from reclaimed wood, is donated by the Chick–fil–A Foundation (www.chick–fil-afoundation.org). Since 2014, Chick–fil–A has collected more than 21,500 books which were donated to 132 local organizations in 37 states and Washington, D.C.

Restaurant Details

The Farmington Chick–fil–A restaurant features:
· Heritage restaurant design that showcases handmade, authentic materials for a vintage-inspired interior, including a large gathering table made from reclaimed wood, subway tiles, and light fixtures made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles and peach baskets.
· Two-story interactive indoor play area for children and free Wi-Fi.
· Drive-thru service expanded to offer dual drive-thru ordering lanes and screens to enable customers to move quickly into a single lane for payment and pickup.
· 5,000-square-foot building with a dining room that seats 120 with 20 additional outdoor patio seats.
· Full-service menu, including breakfast until 10:30 a.m., and will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Like all Chick–fil–A locations, it will be closed on Sunday.

Chick–fil–A in Utah
Chick–fil–A opened Utah’s first location nearly 36 years ago in December 1980, in Ogden City Mall. The Farmington opening marks Utah’s City’s 20th stand-alone location, in addition to four mall and two licensee restaurants to bring the total to 26.
The Farmington location is among 104 new Chick–fil–A locations opening this year across the country, creating nearly 9,000 new jobs. For more information on the Farmington Chick–fil–A restaurant, visit Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cfastationpark.