Community invited to celebrate with First 100 campout and children’s book drive for United Way
HARLINGEN, Texas (June 23, 2016) – Local franchise owner Francisco Castellanos will open Harlingen’s second stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurant on June 23, creating nearly 100 new jobs, a chance for 100 adults to win free Chick-fil-A meals for a year and the opportunity for the local community to donate children’s books to United Way.
The family-friendly overnight party is expected to pop up in the parking lot of the new restaurant at1814 S. 77 Sunshine Strip, 24 hours before the grand opening as guests try to be one of the first 100 adults through the door to win a year of free Chick-fil-A meals. This community event is open to guests residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. A complete listing of eligible zip codes and rules can be found on Chick-fil-A’s website.
“My team members and I can’t wait to welcome our guests,” said Castellanos, who also operates the location on 1021 Dixieland Road. “We’re not just in the chicken business —we’re in the people business. Our goal is to provide a remarkable experience for every customer, every time, by serving food our guests can truly feel good about eating, providing sincere hospitality and continuing to be a good neighbor to Harlingen and its surrounding communities.”
The Chick-fil-A First 100
A tradition going back more than 12 years, Chick-fil-A’s First 100 celebration has given away nearly $27 million
in free food through 2015 and continues to be the chain’s signature grand opening event. Rain, snow and extreme temperatures below zero or above 100 do not deter Chick-fil-A fans who arrive with tents, chairs, TVs, computers and other gear.
Each is hoping to win a digital offer card loaded with a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A Meals (52 meals with each consisting of a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries and a medium beverage) that will be awarded to the first 100 eligible adults – ages 18 and older with identification – in line when the doors open around
6 a.m. on Thursday, June 23. If more than 100 people are onsite when the line officially opens at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, a drawing will be held to randomly select the First 100. Those chosen will be required to camp out until the grand opening to secure their spot.
About Francisco Castellanos
Castellanos was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and raised in Los Angeles. He was a highly decorated U.S. Army soldier having served our country for more than six years.
Castellanos worked for 11 years with ARAMARK Healthcare, which led him to Harlingen in 2005. He and his wife, Surama, fell in love with the surrounding area and decided to make it their permanent home to raise their four children. Castellanos decided it was time to follow his dream of owning a business and chose Chick-fil-A because he wanted to work for a great brand he could believe in.
Becoming a Chick-fil-A Operator is no small feat. The company receives some 24,000 applications yearly for approximately 100 franchise opportunities. In 2010, Castellanos was given the honor of opening Harlingen’s first stand-alone Chick-fil-A location, and now six years later he will open its second. The business has become a family affair with three of his children working at the restaurant and his eldest daughter hoping to become an Operator one day. Castellanos and his family are thrilled to bring a second location to the people of Harlingen and the surrounding communities.
Children’s Book Drive
Reflecting his desire to continue having a positive impact on the surrounding communities, Castellanos is inviting all First 100 participants and customers to participate in a book drive for United Way to celebrate the new location. Castellanos is collecting new and gently used children’s books from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June 20-22, and from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. from June 23-24. The donated books will be placed in a nearly three-foot Book House to serve as a free library exchange at United Way. The Book House, built from reclaimed wood, is donated by the Chick-fil-A Foundation. Last year, Chick-fil-A collected more than 10,000 books from communities coast to coast, which were donated to 89 local organizations in 30 states and Washington, D.C.
Restaurant Details
The newest Harlingen Chick-fil-A restaurant features a:
· restaurant design using hand-made, authentic materials for a vintage-inspired interior, including a large gathering table made from reclaimed wood, subway tiles, and light fixtures made from recycled
Coca-Cola bottles and peach baskets.
· two-story interactive indoor play area for children and free Wi-Fi.
· drive-thru service expanded to offer dual drive-thru ordering lanes and screens to enable customers to quickly move into a single lane for payment and pick up.
· 4,876-square-foot dining room with seating for 180 and additional outdoor patio seating for 16
· design with elements to improve water conservation and energy efficiency and back of house recycling of cardboard and cooking oil.
· full-service menu, including breakfast until 10:30 a.m. and will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Like all Chick-fil-A locations, it will be closed on Sunday.
Chick-fil-A in Harlingen
The new Harlingen Chick-fil-A location marks the second restaurant in metro Harlingen, coming more than 40 years after the chain opened its first Texas restaurant at Corpus Christi’s La Palmera Mall in 1970. It is one of approximately 23 locations Chick-fil-A is planning to open in the state this year and among 95 new restaurants across the country, creating some 8,000 new jobs.
For more information on the new Harlingen Chick-fil-A restaurant, find us on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/cfasunshinestrip.
About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1964 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for its original chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A serves freshly prepared food in more than 2,023 restaurants in 43 states and Washington, D.C.
Chick-fil-A system sales exceeded $6 billion in 2015, which marks 47 consecutive years of sales growth. Chick-fil-A ranked first for customer satisfaction in the Limited Service Restaurants industry according to the 2015 American Customer Satisfaction Index and received the highest ACSI score ever in the industry. The company was also recognized in 2015 as the only restaurant brand named to the Top 10 “Best Companies to Work For” by 24/7 Wall Street. More information on Chick-fil-A is available on the chain’s website located at www.chick-fil-a.com.
