Line Already Forming for Chick Fil A Opening Tomorrow in Columbia Heights

A reader writes:

“730am… Are people camping out to be first customers tomorrow? Or is this line for something else?”

From a press release:

“Ten years after Chick-fil-A® opened its first licensee location in Washington, D.C., on the campus of Catholic University, the chain is continuing its expansion into the heart of D.C. The new restaurant in the DC USA Complex will open Nov. 4, bringing 100 new jobs, the chance for 100 adults to win free Chick-fil-A meals for a year and the opportunity for community members to donate books that will benefit a local community organization.

After 12 years and more than $25 million in free food given away, Chick-fil-A’s “First 100” celebration continues to be the chain’s signature grand opening event, which transforms the restaurant grounds lot into a 24-hour community friendly party as the crowd awaits the opening.

The new restaurant, located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood at 3100 14th St. N.W., will host the next First 100 event that will award more than $32,000 in free food. A digital offer card loaded with a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A Meals will be given to each of the first 100 eligible adults, ages 18 and older with identification, in line when the doors open about 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4. If more than 100 people are onsite when the line officially opens at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, then all 100 spots will be determined by a drawing held that morning with those selected needing to camp out for 24 hours to secure their spot. This community event is open to guests who live in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. Interested participants may obtain a complete listing of zip codes and rules at www.chick-fil-a.com/locations/first-100.

Chick-fil-A believes in partnering with organizations that enrich education, literacy and youth. In that spirit, DC USA Chick-fil-A Operator Jessie Chesson is collecting new children’s books at the new location in the DC USA Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3 and Wednesday, Nov. 4 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The books collected during the grand opening celebration will be placed in a nearly three-foot Book House and donated to a local community organization. The Book House serves as a free library exchange – allowing anyone to take a book after replacing it with one of their own. Created from old and thrown out wood, the Book House is one of several community programs made possible through the support of the Chick-fil-A Foundation (www.chick-fil-afoundation.org).

The new D.C. Chick-fil-A is well suited for business, residential and tourist traffic. As consumer lifestyles evolve, the in-line restaurant concept allows the chain to further customize the dining experience based on a specific location where traffic is high but limited space does not allow for the traditional stand-alone concept. The new restaurant features an upgraded interior including subway tile and metals in a variety of finishes and patinas all complimented by an abundance of windows allowing in plenty of natural light. The vintage-inspired interior includes a community table made of reclaimed timber and other unique custom features such light fixtures made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles and peach baskets.

Reflecting the chain’s mission to serve freshly prepared food in greener buildings, D.C.’s new Chick-fil-A is built to LEED specifications with water and energy efficiency features, air quality control and waste diversion efforts, among other initiatives.

With 70 seats inside, customers will be able to stay connected through the restaurant’s free Wi-Fi. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m. Like all Chick-fil-A restaurants, it will be closed on Sunday.

A native of the DMV area, Chesson brings 15 years of corporate marketing and communications to the Colombia Heights neighborhood. She grew up in Maryland, received a communications degree from Howard University and later obtained her MBA from George Washington University. Chesson’s interest in the chain peaked after a former coworker began working for a Maryland Chick-fil-A and encouraged her to learn more about franchising opportunities within the company. After attending an interest meeting, her pursuit of becoming an Operator and creating “once-in-a-lifetime experiences” for those in her community began. Chesson, her husband Karlton, and their daughter are looking forward to meeting and serving the D.C. area.”