More Than 100 People Are Already Lined Up Outside Brick's New Chick-Fil-A Restaurant

Were you hoping to score free Chick-Fil-A for a year?

You might be out of luck.

After the fast food company offered one free meal per week for the next year to the first 100 people to dine in their new restaurant on Route 70 in Brick, crowds began lining up by 6 a.m. Wednesday. The restaurant officially opens at 6 a.m. on Thursday.

By 8 p.m. Wednesday, hungry customers had erected a series of tents in the restaurant's parking lot, which had to be roped off earlier in the day.

"They came prepared with tents, chairs, beds, computers and other gear to pass the time," said Cindy Chapman, a company spokeswoman.

As part of the promotion, the restaurant provides security, restroom access, plenty of Chick-fil-A food, games and a DJ dance party, which was still taking place around 8 p.m. Wednesday night.

In all, the restaurant will give away $30,000 in free meals to the first 100 entrants. Since 2003, when the promotion began, the company has given away nearly $21 million in free food.

Beyond the promotional food giveaway, the restaurant will provide 75 jobs in Brick, Chapman said.

The new Brick Township location, located at 522 Route 70 adjacent to the Lowe's store, is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m.