Restaurant president to camp out before grand opening

OWASSO, OK (Market Wire) - Metro Tulsa's second free-standing Chick-fil-A restaurant will open March 30, when $26,000 in free Chick-fil-A food will be given away to the first 100 adults in line that

Tuesday, March 28th 2006, 11:31 am

By: News On 6

OWASSO, OK (Market Wire) - Metro Tulsa's second free-standing Chick-fil-A restaurant will open March 30, when $26,000 in free Chick-fil-A food will be given away to the first 100 adults in line that morning that morning by Chick-fil-A, Inc. President Dan Cathy.

A one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A Combo Meals (52 coupons) will be given away March 30 to the first 100 adults, age 18 and older with identification, at the new free-standing restaurant at 12015 East 96th Street North at US Hwy 169. The line can begin forming up to 24 hours prior to the opening, with the prizes being awarded on Thursday, March 30 between 6 AM and 6:30 AM.

``We've given away more than $3 million in free Chick-fil-A food since we launched the 'First 100 Fans' promotion in 2003 to celebrate each grand opening,'' said Cathy, son of the chain's founder Truett Cathy. ``It's our way of thanking our raving fans who have supported Chick-fil-A and who continue to show their devotion by camping out in all kinds of weather conditions year-round, all across the country.''

With overnight campers often arriving as early as 24 hours in advance and coming from hours away, the parking lot fills with tents, lawn chairs, and TVs while the crowd enjoys entertainment, games, food and even a midnight Chick-fil-A Icedream party. ``It becomes a big overnight tailgating party,'' said Cathy, who has camped out at more than 50 of the openings.

The 4,227-square-foot restaurant seats 134. It is open for business Monday through Saturday from 6:30 AM to 10 PM and closed Sunday.

The opening marks Oklahoma's fourth free-standing Chick-fil-A restaurant. The company plans to devote nearly seven percent of its overall free-standing restaurant growth to the state in 2006. With other units projected to be built this year in Stillwater, Midwest City and Oklahoma City; the openings will more than double the number of Chick-fil-A free-standing units in the state.

Mark Schneider, who has nearly 20 years of Chick-fil-A experience, has been selected to operate the new restaurant in Owasso. A Chick-fil-A franchised Operator since 1990 when he was named Rookie of the Year, Schneider also received the chain's top award --Symbol of Success -- in 1996 and 1997. He is a graduate of Concordia Lutheran College in Austin, Texas, where he received a degree in communications and a minor in business.

``We are very excited to return to the area where our families are currently living,'' said Schneider, whose wife Karen grew up in nearby Bartlesville, Okla. ``Bringing Chick-fil-A's award-winning products and service to family and friends makes it even nicer to be operating the Chick-fil-A in Owasso.''

Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy is marking several milestones this year, including the 60th year anniversary of the opening of his first restaurant, the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Ga., from which the Chick-fil-A chain was launched. Also, the third generation entered the Chick-fil-A business with Cathy's grandson becoming a restaurant Operator in St. Petersburg, Fla. in January.

Chick-fil-A is the nation's second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain with more than 1,247 restaurants in 38 states and Washington D.C. The company reported 2005 system-wide sales of more than $1.975 billion, resulting in a 13.1 percent increase over 2004 figures and a positive 5.87% same-store sales performance. The chain expects to add more than 72 locations in 2006, including 61 free-standing restaurants. For more information, visit www.chick-fil-a.com or www.chick-fil-apressroom.com.