Aliso Viejo gets first Chick-fil-A location

Chick-fil-A opened its first Aliso Viejo location Thursday at Aliso Viejo Town Center.

More than 150 people gathered Wednesday at 6 a.m. for the chance to win free Chick-fil-A for a year, or 52 meal certificates. Chick-fil-A offers the prize to the first 100 diners in line the day of opening but since more than 100 were there, they raffled off the 100 spots and 10 alternates.

Those that wished to walk away with the meal tickets had to hang out until 6 a.m. Thursday, the day of the official opening.

Some people that didn’t get included in the raffle headed down to another Chick-fil-A location that was opening in San Diego, a Chick-fil-A spokesperson said.

Chick-fil-A provided a deejay for entertainment and free food to celebrate the 24-hour countdown. Campers came prepared with tents, sleeping bags, footballs, beach chairs and scooters to pass the time while they waited for their chance at a lot of chicken sandwiches.

The Chick-fil-A location is bringing 70 jobs to the city and will have fast casual indoor dining and a drive-thru, which will help accommodate the small space and high turnout at the center. The restaurant will seat 110 inside and will have space for 30 outside.

“We’re excited about this restaurant design, which enables us to better meet our customers’ needs in areas where property is limited,” Dan T. Cathy, Chick-fil-A, Inc. president and COO, said in a statement. “Aliso Viejo is an ideal market for our newest inline Chick-fil-A based on area demographics and our strong desire to continue to expand in the region.”

Chick-fil-A plans to open 90 locations this year.

The Aliso Viejo location is at 26861 Aliso Creek Road.

For more information, visit chick-fil-a.com.

— Joanna Clay