On Jan. 9, Hickory Flat received a new addition to the community with the grand opening of a Chick-fil-A where the Hickory Flat Store once stood. Following Chick-fil-A tradition, a First 100 Campout was held to kick off the opening of the new location. The first 100 visitors to the Chick-fil-A camped out overnight in order to receive 52 free meals. Chick-fil-A organized games and music to entertain the visitors. Senior Dylan Poulsen took part in the experience from 4 p.m. on Wednesday to 6:30 a.m. on Thursday. 

“Although the wind was around 15 mph with a 20 degree wind chill, we enjoyed every last bit,” Poulsen said. “I was with a larger group, and I slept in a two-man tent with three other guys, so we were shoulder-to-shoulder the entire night. The wind was so strong that it broke tents and kept us awake, not that we slept much anyways since we played four square for three hours and eventually went to bed at 2 a.m.” 

After facing extreme weather and a sleepless night, Poulsen finally received his card granting him free Chick-fil-A meals for a year. Although excited about his prize, Poulsen does not want to get too carried away with it. 

“I am hoping it won’t impact my daily routine because then I [will be] going [to Chick-fil-A] way too much, and I’ll have to calm down,” Poulsen said. “But hey, with those 52 sandwiches that could be 26 ‘free’ dates.” 

The new Chick-fil-A also provided jobs for many Cherokee County residents, including several students from Sequoyah. Junior Kimberlin Reyes was hired after previously working at a different Chick-fil-A location. Reyes has enjoyed her time at Chick-fil-A so far. 

“My experience at the new [Chick-fil-A] has been nothing but awesome,” Reyes said. “I’m more than grateful to be working with an amazing crew, and I know that it’s only going to get better.” 

Working at Chick-fil-A may come with many perks, including eating Chick-fil-A food on break and creating relationships with fellow employees, but the job can be stressful at times due to how busy the restaurant gets. 

“There are certain times in the day where it’s just people and cars for three hours straight, but we always do our best to give customers the best experience that they can have,” Reyes said. 

The new Chick-fil-A at 6114 Hickory Flat Hwy brings new employment opportunities and new dining options to the Hickory Flat area.