Chick-fil-A fans camping out in Wheaton
John Nelson once waited in a line for six days to apply for a job.
So to camp out for 24 hours outside the new Chick-fil-A in Wheaton for a chance to win a year's supply of free meal cards is easy, the 60-year-old Naperville man said.
“As long as I am at home anyway, I figure ‘What the heck,'” said Nelson, who is taking time off from work to recover from rotator cuff surgery.
Nelson was joined by at least 99 other Chick-fil-A fans awaiting the grand opening of the restaurant along Butterfield Road near Leask Lane. Even though the crowd formed by 6 a.m. Wednesday, members must stay on the premises until the doors officially open at 6 a.m. Thursday to qualify for the free meals.
Chick-fil-A, which is famous for its chicken sandwiches and waffle fries, is planning to open 78 new stores. The Atlanta-based chain recently celebrated openings in Aurora and Orland Park.
To make the wait more comfortable for the 100 people at the new Wheaton location, Chick-fil-A let them bring tents, lawn chairs, computers and even furniture.
On Wednesday morning, Henry Cooley sat next to his pop tent reading a book.
“I'm going to get some reading done, hang out and have fun with people.” the 24-year-old Wheaton man said.
Cooley said he didn't need to stock up on supplies because the restaurant provided everyone with a free breakfast, lunch and dinner. “You get free food out of it,” he said. “So what's to lose?”
Wheaton residents Suzie Weber and Kelly Malone got something they never expected.
The two former co-workers saw each other for the first time in years at the event. “She took pity on me and said she would let me in her tent,” said Malone, 47.
Weber said her husband took the day off from work to watch their children so she could camp out.
“Normally, I wouldn't do this,” the 35-year-old woman said. “But he knows I like Chick-fil-A a lot. So he decided to give me a day off.”