Free Chick-fil-A for a year in Marietta

A counterprotester, preaching that homosexuality is a sin, battled for the crowd’s attention, but declined to give his name or affiliation. Protesters, counter protesters and the hungry fans braved the a rainy, chilly Herald Square in Manhattan, Saturday to attend the opening of Gotham’s first Chick-Fil-A, the controversial fast food chain known for both its CEO’s anti-gay views and delicious food.

Those unfamiliar with chain were taken aback by sidewalks that were suddenly impassable. This flock of devotees can start getting in line on Tuesday, October6, at 6 a.m. Clearly, these people love free chicken a lot more than sleep.

According to Chick-fil-A Vice President of Public Relations and Public Affairs Carrie Kurlander, this massive turnout is not unusual. Grand opening day activities will continue as planned. Meanwhile, despite threats from the New York City Council, which occasionally takes time off from honoring Soviet spies like Ethel Rosenberg to denouncing fast food places, Chick fil-A has opened in New York.

The location, the first free-standing store in the city, is the chain’s biggest at three-stories and 5,000-square-feet. The company also benefited from superior execution – in some locations, 60 to 100 cars go through the drive-in lane in an hour – and the simplicity of its menu.

But business did work, and today, the Philadelphia store is one of the best-performing Chick-fil-A units in the Northeast. At one location in Georgia earlier this year, more than 200 customers treated the next customer in line to a meal.

Native New Yorker Ian Sinovoi, 30, was introduced to the brand on family trips South when he was a teenager, but never got to try the chain’s famous biscuits or sweet tea on a regular basis. “I’m willing to stay the night”, said Steven Soriano, 21.

When it comes to free chicken, New Yorkers don’t mess around. The lucky 100 will get a digital offer card loaded with a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A Meals.

Thankfully, participants did not have to camp outside overnight. Chick-fil-A is open 6:30 a.m.to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and is closed Sunday.