Chick-fil-A owner invites residents to ‘First 100’ lineup

Next week, Enterprise will officially be the new home to a restaurant some may call a Southern staple of fast food. The new Chick-fil-A on Boll Weevil Circle will open its doors to customers May 22. But before the business opens for regular service, owner and operator Josh Waddy is inviting area residents to attend its grand opening celebration and “First 100” lineup May 21.

For 24 hours leading up to the restaurant’s grand opening, the Enterprise Chick-fil-A will celebrate with music, contests and prizes. And, of course, there will be food.

One of most exciting draws of the event is the chance to be one of the “First 100.” During each Chick-fil-A grand opening, 100 participants are chosen as grand prize winners. Each winner receives a digital card loaded with 52 meals, or one free meal per week for a year.

The card can be used at any Chick-fil-A, but Waddy hopes area residents will be lucky enough to win a year’s worth of free meals at his restaurant.

“I would love for it to go to more of my local customers,” Waddy said. “They are the ones I will be serving, feeding and getting to know over the next years.”

As the only Chick-fil-A opening May 22, Waddy expects hundreds of citizens from across the nation to compete for the “First 100” line-up, which begins Wednesday, May 21, at 6 a.m. Participants must register in the restaurant’s parking lot and stay there for the next 24 hours. A lottery will determine the final 100 winners.

For some of Chick-fil-A’s “raving” fans, as employees affectionately call them, the competition to win is fierce. In fact, some of the restaurant’s enthusiasts try to attend every opening in the country, Waddy said.

“We appreciate their loyalty,” he said.

There’s good reason why so many loyal customers would travel to attend a grand opening—besides competing to be one of the “First 100,” participants will also be fed and entertained throughout the day. Customers will also get to meet Chick-fil-A Chairman, President and CEO Dan Cathy, who usually attends all of the chain’s openings.

Waddy said Cathy is a hands-on example of what the family-centered, privately owned business is all about, which is customer service. Besides putting on a fun, family-friendly event, the grand openings also help the restaurant build a positive relationship with the community, a key part of Chick-fil-A’s business model.

“He’ll be out talking to customers and team members…he shows (us) what it’s about and leads by example,” Waddy said.

For Waddy, who previously owned a Chick-fil-A in Columbus, Ga., for the last seven years, being a part of the company is not just about serving chicken sandwiches and waffle fries.

Waddy said his goal is to treat every customer and team member with honor, dignity and respect.

“We say ‘my pleasure’ because it’s our pleasure to serve,” Waddy said. “We look forward to serving our community and guests.”

Chick-fil-A currently operates about 1,700 franchises in 40 states. Waddy’s franchise has hired 65 team members locally, and a few positions are still available, he said.

“We are always looking for the best talent we can find—the best, brightest and friendliest,” Waddy said. “That enables the exceptional service we are known for.”

Waddy first arrived in Enterprise in 1997 to attend flight school at Fort Rucker. He served in the Army for nine years as a Black Hawk pilot before becoming an entrepreneur. As a businessman, Waddy said he was attracted to Chick-fil-A’s values, purpose and positive intent in the community. He has been involved in the Enterprise restaurant’s development for the last three years.

For those who may not feel up to a 24-hour camp-out among Chick-fil-A’s most loyal fans, residents are also invited to attend the restaurant’s ribbon cutting and flag raising ceremony at 9 a.m., May 22. A “First Bite” ceremony will follow, in which attendees eat a ceremonious first meal.

Waddy said he and his family have already received lots of support and encouragement from the local community, which makes them feel even more excited to start serving.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” Waddy said.

To learn more about the event, including the official “First 100” rules, visit http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/First-100-Rules. For information about local news and events, visit the Enterprise Chick-fil-A’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CFAenterprise.