It’s time. After a four-year absence, Chick-fil-A returns to Washington tomorrow morning, opening its Bellevue store (785 116th Avenue NE) at 6 a.m. Like with all Chick-fil-A openings, the first 100 adults in line then will receive a digital offer card with 52 free meals loaded. The chain reports that over 100 are lined up as we speak—some having camped out on site last night, permitted to officially line up at 6 a.m. this morning.
This is the first of three Chick-fil-As slotted to open in Washington over the next month (Tacoma next, then Lynnwood)—a controversial re-entry to the state, following president Dan Cathy’s 2012 statements that the company was against gay marriage. Cathy has since revised those comments, The Seattle Times reported last year, suggesting he feels differently now; it remains to be seen how the state will welcome Chick-fil-A after free meal promotions have passed.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 9 tomorrow. After the grand opening, the Bellevue Chick-fil-A will be open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving breakfast until 10:30 a.m. All Chick-fil-As are closed Sundays.