The Madison location joins other Wisconsin locations in Brookfield, Greendale and Racine, and is owned by Jamie Fuller, 32, who has worked at or managed Chick-fil-A restaurants since 2006. He most recently owned and operated the Racine restaurant, located in the Regency Mall, but moved to Madison after investing just $10,000 and being selected out of 20,000 applicants by Chick-fil-A to be an owner/operator. He’ll employ about 80.

“It’s a big brand, but this is my small business,” Fuller said.

While inside the restaurant, employees went through training, outside customers served as a living billboard. Some huddled under propane heaters while others stayed in their colorful tents out of the wind and snuggled in sleeping bags.

Boesch and her husband, Tom Boesch, an avid walleye angler who normally sets up camp on Lake Winnebago, arrived in Madison at 5 a.m. after leaving their West Bend home at about 3:20 a.m. Both wore Santa hats and walked circles in the parking lot to stay warm. The couple also was in line when the Brookfield store opened in September.

Others in line came from Madison and Milwaukee, but Clay Dyer, 42, whose brother-in-law lives in Madison, came from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. His visit marks his fourth Chick-fil-A opening since 2012.

“I love Chick-fil-A, and I love free food,” Dyer said. “It’s crazy and it’s cold, but I’ve got layers and I’ve got some gloves. I’ve tailgated in colder weather than this.”

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