I'd love free ChickFilA, but...
September 23, 2013 7:00 AM Subscribe
So there's a new Chick Fil A opening near me next month. I could be one of the first 100 and win free chicken, woo hoo! But...
I'd have to spend 24 hours at the store. The Chick Fil A site isn't very specific on what the conditions would be. I'm assuming no power outlets, and that's my biggest problem. Without power for my laptop and phone, I'm not sure I can spend a work day doing this.
And I'm sure there's all kinds of other things I'm not thinking of. Any experience or ideas out there, on the power or anything else?
I'd have to spend 24 hours at the store. The Chick Fil A site isn't very specific on what the conditions would be. I'm assuming no power outlets, and that's my biggest problem. Without power for my laptop and phone, I'm not sure I can spend a work day doing this.
And I'm sure there's all kinds of other things I'm not thinking of. Any experience or ideas out there, on the power or anything else?
Just FYI, apparently there are many, many people who camp out for these events, and plan out their strategy weeks in advance, so the competition to be one of the first 100 is pretty stiff.
posted by skewed at 7:09 AM on September 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by skewed at 7:09 AM on September 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
Seconding skewed.
A Chik-fil-A opened in my town a year or ago and I was all psyched to try and camp out the night before the opening. Turns out there are people that travel around the country camping out for these things. The line was full 3 days before the opening.
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:11 AM on September 23, 2013
A Chik-fil-A opened in my town a year or ago and I was all psyched to try and camp out the night before the opening. Turns out there are people that travel around the country camping out for these things. The line was full 3 days before the opening.
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:11 AM on September 23, 2013
From the site: a Grand Prize of one Chick-fil-A Meal per week for a year!
A combo at Chick-fil-A runs about 7 bucks. That works out to $364 over the course of a year, not to mention that you'd have to eat fast food once a week. Maybe that's something you do. No judgment. I just know that if I ate fast food that often I would feel sick and awful.
I don't know how much you make, but is it worth it to miss a day of work (or take a vacation day) for what would maybe work out to $364 dollars in chicken?
I mean, maybe it is. I don't know. But definitely do a cost/benefit analysis.
posted by phunniemee at 7:11 AM on September 23, 2013 [28 favorites]
A combo at Chick-fil-A runs about 7 bucks. That works out to $364 over the course of a year, not to mention that you'd have to eat fast food once a week. Maybe that's something you do. No judgment. I just know that if I ate fast food that often I would feel sick and awful.
I don't know how much you make, but is it worth it to miss a day of work (or take a vacation day) for what would maybe work out to $364 dollars in chicken?
I mean, maybe it is. I don't know. But definitely do a cost/benefit analysis.
posted by phunniemee at 7:11 AM on September 23, 2013 [28 favorites]
FWIW, they've apparently instituted a lottery system to pick their 100 people, presumably because of JoeZydeco's people driving from across the country to do that. (Seriously? WTF?)
So I don't know how many people you'll be competing with, but you don't have to show up a week early and camp out on the sidewalk anymore. Just be lucky.
Once you're in there, the site linked is really vague about what actually happens. What is the "designated spot on the premises?" Is it just the interior of the restaurant, or do you have to sit in your assigned booth for 24 hours?
Either way, yeah, I don't like Chick Fil A that much. But good luck if you decide to go for it. You'll have to write up a report and post it on MeTa.
posted by Naberius at 7:19 AM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
So I don't know how many people you'll be competing with, but you don't have to show up a week early and camp out on the sidewalk anymore. Just be lucky.
Once you're in there, the site linked is really vague about what actually happens. What is the "designated spot on the premises?" Is it just the interior of the restaurant, or do you have to sit in your assigned booth for 24 hours?
Either way, yeah, I don't like Chick Fil A that much. But good luck if you decide to go for it. You'll have to write up a report and post it on MeTa.
posted by Naberius at 7:19 AM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
A better way to save money and eat Chick-fil-A chicken whenever you want (including Sunday!): make your own. The recipe is easy, eerily accurate, and super delicious.
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:24 AM on September 23, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:24 AM on September 23, 2013 [7 favorites]
Response by poster: P.S. I did review the actual Chick Fil A site on the "first 100" details but I need more info.
I understand the lottery system, and I get that there are a lot of things about Chick Fil A that aren't cool. And no, I don't eat there often so the actual monetary value isn't worth it in a cost/benefit analysis. I think it would be kind of fun, and I've always wanted to do it.
posted by KAS at 7:25 AM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
I understand the lottery system, and I get that there are a lot of things about Chick Fil A that aren't cool. And no, I don't eat there often so the actual monetary value isn't worth it in a cost/benefit analysis. I think it would be kind of fun, and I've always wanted to do it.
posted by KAS at 7:25 AM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
On second look, Naberius is right. The lottery system I assume is to make the first 100 more fair to everyone and not just the people with free time and energy to travel around and camp longer.
It seems like the rules are tuned to make sure there is a true line of 100 parties camped out in the parking lot of the store for the 24 hours prior to the opening. That's plenty of time for the local media to get their photos and video and let Chik-Fil-A get their free local publicity for the opening.
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:35 AM on September 23, 2013
It seems like the rules are tuned to make sure there is a true line of 100 parties camped out in the parking lot of the store for the 24 hours prior to the opening. That's plenty of time for the local media to get their photos and video and let Chik-Fil-A get their free local publicity for the opening.
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:35 AM on September 23, 2013
The first two-story Chik-fil-a opened up within walking distance of my last house. To say that people were camping out for several days beforehand, that they were totally prepared with tents and camping supplies, that they were dedicated and fanatical... that's all true, but also a series of grave understatements. Just for your information.
posted by Coatlicue at 7:35 AM on September 23, 2013
posted by Coatlicue at 7:35 AM on September 23, 2013
You can listen to a story about this on NPR's This American Life. (Jump to Act 3.) It's interesting and they interview the people who attended and discuss the conditions a bit. I think every location would be different. They all seem to have tents though and camp out at least overnight.
If you think the atmosphere will be fun, you could just show up the night or early morning before and it could be fun. I think each location may be different as far as space and outlets. Do you know where it's going to open? Can you drive by and check it out?
posted by Crystalinne at 9:18 AM on September 23, 2013
If you think the atmosphere will be fun, you could just show up the night or early morning before and it could be fun. I think each location may be different as far as space and outlets. Do you know where it's going to open? Can you drive by and check it out?
posted by Crystalinne at 9:18 AM on September 23, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:03 AM on September 23, 2013