Chick-fil-A All-Nighters Set Up Camp in Restaurant Parking Lot

The first 100 people who lined up outside the Oswego Chick-fil-A Wednesday morning were guaranteed free chicken for a year if they stay on site until 6 a.m. Thursday morning, and that's just what they did. 

The parking lot of the Chick-fil-A at 2740 Route 34 was full of pitched tents, tables and chairs as people from all over the country set-up camp for the promise of free chicken.

Murray Barrett from New Braunfels, Texas, was there with his son.

“We’re heading up to a wedding in Wisconsin on Saturday,” said Barrett. “We planned a stop here into our trip,” making it the sixth Chick-fil-A “First 100."

Ron Hubbard from Montgomery said it is his second, and that he appreciates the fact that the chain closes on Sundays for a day of worship. 

“Anytime you can help spread Jesus and God’s message through a Christian group like this… it’s great,” he said. 

The Chick-fil-A staff kept the campers entertained with various activities and a band later in the evening. Some opted to take naps in their tents, set up a bags game or pull out a deck of cards to pass the time. Free drinks and food were supplied to everyone who attended.

While playing bags with a group of friends, Oswego resident Rich Fitzgerald said it was his 14th Chick-fil-A overnighter.

When asked what he did with all of the free chicken – a year’s supply is coupons for 52 free meals – Fitzgerald chuckled and said he ate a lot of chicken. He also, along with many there, gave away coupons to friends or family members or even passing strangers .

“These are just so much fun,” he said, gesturing to the assortment of people in the parking lot. “I always see people here that I’ve met before. These are like big reunions.”

Fitzgerald was very eager to have a restaurant open in his hometown. He said that before the Fox Valley location had opened, he would plan his vacations to try and stop in at a Chick-fil-A along the route to get his chicken fix.

“It’s great that they’re here,” he said. “A great addition to Oswego.”