It’s hard to miss all the tents set up in the parking lot at the new Chick-fil-A restaurant in the East Peoria’s Levee District. The restaurant opens at 6:00a.m. Thursday.
Kerrie Carter is the Grand Opening Event Planner. She says the campers represent what they call the community first 100 and they started showing up Wednesday morning about 6:00 a.m. “The first 100 are guaranteed a digital offer card. It’s a swipper card that has 52 meals loaded on it. It’s the #1 original sandwich, medium waffle fries and medium beverage. If they want to add anything on like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, or upsize that’s on their own dime.”
The community first 100 winners are also named Thursday morning. Heaters are set-up for the participants, they have access to the restrooms and games are provided.
Carter says the Chick-fil-A opening events have a following. She says it’s been fun to experience the event on both sides of the River. The Peoria store opened about three and a half years ago.
The new East Peoria store is owned by Mark Dugger and it's bringing about 100 new jobs.