Tis the season to wait in line as the first 100 customers at the Dec. 18 opening of San Antonio’s newest Chick-fil-A restaurant at 5615 W. 1604 Loop N. (at Alamo Ranch Marketplace) will be awarded with $26,000 in free Chick-fil-A food being given away that morning.

A one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A Meals (52 coupons) will be awarded to each of the first 100 adults, age 18 and older with identification, at the new stand-alone restaurant. The line can begin forming up to 24 hours prior to the opening, with the prizes being given away on Dec. 18 sometime between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. The restaurant will open afterward.

The First 100 Fans promotion was launched in 2003 to mark the opening of the chain’s first stand-alone restaurant in Arizona. Five years later, the event continues to draw Chick-fil-A raving fans from all over the country. Armed with tents, computers, games and even swimming pools, campers turn the grand opening event into an all-night tailgate party.

“When we started the First 100 Fans promotion we were stunned when someone arrived 18 hours in advance and asked where he could wait in line,” says Chick-fil-A, Inc. President Dan Cathy, who has camped out at dozens of openings. “Five years later, we’ve given away more than $8.5 million in free Chick-fil-A food across the country to raving fans who’ve braved snow, wind, rain and triple-digit temperatures to help us celebrate the opening of each new Chick-fil-A.”

Greg Patterson, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years, has been selected to operate the new San Antonio Chick-fil-A. Patterson and his wife, Debbie, are eager to bring the new Chick-fil-A to the San Antonio community.

The Chick-fil-A at Alamo Ranch Marketplace features a 134-seat interior that seats 20 outside and has warm colors and wood accents as well as an indoor play area for children that includes an interactive section for toddlers. The new restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m.