Chicken lovers hope to win free Chick-Fil-A before Thurs. opening

MEDFORD, Ore. — Chicken lovers lined up at the new Chick-Fil-A in Medford with hopes of winning one free meal per week for a year. The Chick-Fil-A opened their doors for the first time in Southern Oregon at 6 a.m. Thursday.

“We’re big Chick-Fil-A fans,” said Medford resident Mitch Mende.

The 12-hour event started at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the new location across from Trader Joe’s in Medford at the intersection of Rossanley Drive and Highway 99.

“Giving out a hundred free meal cards. I mean that to me is worth coming out for,” Mende said.

Participants, including Mende, were given raffle tickets. One hundred winners were chosen to receive a pre-loaded gift card with the equivalent of 52 Chick-fil-A meals.

“Spicy chicken sandwich guy. That’s my number one,” Chris Peyton, franchise owner, said.

Peyton fell for the chain when he was stationed back east in the Navy. Originally from Keizer, Oregon, he’s ecstatic to bring the nation’s third most popular fast food restaurant to the Rogue Valley.

“I love southern Oregon. It’s just a great opportunity to introduce the Truett Cathy story and the Chick-fil-A brand to a southern part of the state where I was born,” Peyton said.

With the doors opening soon, Peyton is hoping Rogue Valley residents feel the same about Chick-fil-A.