PORTAGE, MI -- Those interested in being one of the first people inside the Kalamazoo area's first Chick-fil-A restaurant will need to be among the first to register to do so starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday, the day before the opening.

The catch -- those who register have to remain on site in the parking lot of the restaurant at 6202 S. Westnedge Ave. in Portage for the 24-hour period before it opens for business Thursday, Feb. 23.

Each of the first 100 adults camping out overnight receives a digital card for a year's worth of free Chick-fil-A meals (actually 52 meals).

In what has become a regular promotion for the opening of Chick-fil-A restaurants, people typically pitch tents and make an adventure of what is called the "First 100" event.

"For those serious about earning one of the year's supplies to the first 100, they should really consider camping out to guarantee their spot because once they reach 100, plus 10 alternates, registration will be closed to the event," said Chick-fil-A spokeswoman Cindi Pickett. "We just never never know how many will get in line right at the 24-hour mark or when the line will fill up."

At the Jan. 12 opening of the Grand Rapids area's first Chick-fil-A restaurant, 66 people began the camp-out on the morning before the opening and others filled in during the afternoon, according to Pickett. Of that first 66, she said 30 were people who said they had never before eaten at a Chick-fil-A.

The expanding Atlanta-based restaurant group is known for its chicken sandwiches and nuggets.

The promotional event and camping out for 24 hours started after the October 2013 opening of a location in Goodyear, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix. Pickett said a man who was an avid Chick-fil-A fan arrived more than a day in advance. Lines of people were getting longer at openings, she said, and the promotional event limits how long in advance anyone waits outside.

She said participants have included families with three generations, groups of friends "who will come together and have it be a fun time for them," and people who met at a previous opening and are now couples.

"We've had people bring couches to sleep on," Pickett said. "We've had people pull chairs out of their vans to sit on and sleep on. We've had people bring air mattresses."

To participate and win, participants have to:

- Be 18 or older. Children can come with an adult parent or guardian but they have to be at least 5 years old to participate in games and other activities.

- Live within about a 30-mile radius of the restaurant in specific zip codes. Eligible zip codes and other rules can be found at www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/Openings.

Some other things to know:

- The digital card gets the user 52 of the following meals: Chick-fil-A's original chicken sandwich with a medium order of waffle potato fries and a medium drink. The meals have a total combined value of about $300.

- It is suggested that participants come prepared for the weather, including rain and snow.

- Franchise operator Idris Rashid will be collecting children's books to donate to kids through one or more of the local school districts.

- At about 10 a.m. Wednesday, Rashid and staff of the restaurant will work with volunteers to put together 10,000 meals to support Feeding Children Everywhere, a non-profit organization. Feeding Children Everywhere will bring necessary food items to the restaurant, and its staff and volunteers will assemble food packets to be delivered to the Food Bank of South Central Michigan.