A new Chick-fil-A location is opening in Florence on August 31 - and instead of the usual overnight camping that welcomes many of the popular chain's openings, there will be an interactive field trip around the area instead for a chance to earn a year's supply of meals from the restaurant.

Franchise owner Dustin DiChiara opens his latest location at 8050 Mall Road - the first of two to open in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area in the coming weeks (an Oakley Station location will open in Cincinnati on Sept. 14).

DiChiara will move from Florence’s Houston Road Chick-fil-A location to operate the new restaurant, bringing about 105 team members with him to the new location. “We’re not just in the chicken business —we’re in the people business,” said DiChiara. “Our team is excited to serve our guests at the newest Florence location and provide a remarkable experience every time by serving food customers can truly feel good about eating, providing sincere hospitality and being a good neighbor in the Florence community.”

Chick-fil-A Road Trip Celebration

Chick-fil-A’s First 100 campouts have given away more than $31 million in free food through 2016 and continue to be the chain’s signature event to celebrate the opening of a new location. However, this Chick-fil-A grand opening celebration will not involve any overnight activities. Instead, up to 100 eligible participants, 18 years and older, can start gathering shortly before 6 a.m. on Aug. 30 to register and immediately participate in the grand opening event.

The First 100 Road Trip will take participants around the Florence area on a chartered bus while spending approximately six hours being engaged in activities that will provide opportunities to get up and move as well as inspire civic pride and gratitude. The group will return to the new Florence restaurant around 3 p.m. to continue the celebration with the participants being awarded with a digital offer card loaded with a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A meals (52 meals with each consisting of a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries, and a medium beverage).

Registration will be held at the restaurant that morning from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 30, or until 100 eligible participants are reached, whichever comes first. If more than 100 people are onsite when the line opens at 6 a.m. on Aug. 30, a drawing will be held to randomly select 100 guests who will participate in the event which will last until 4:30 p.m. The community event is open to guests residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. A list of eligible zip codes and event rules can be found here.

DiChiara knows chicken

With more than two decades of Chick-fil-A experience, including more than 12 years of being an Operator, DiChiara knows a thing or two about serving chicken. DiChiara’s Chick-fil-A career began in high school at one of the chain’s Birmingham, Ala. locations. There he learned about customer service and hard work and as a result, earned the Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship. In 2005, after graduating college in Chicago, DiChiara returned to his Chick-fil-A roots and began operating the Tower Place location in downtown Cincinnati. In 2009, he moved to the Houston Road location, where he has been for the past eight years.

DiChiara is active in the Northern Kentucky community, serving on the Executive Committee of the NKY Chamber and a board member of The Carnegie. In his spare time, DiChiara loves to play the drums and travel, with his most recent adventure being a trip to Alaska with his family. DiChiara, his wife Amy, and their four children look forward to continuing to serve their guests in the Northern Kentucky area.

Restaurant Details

The 5,000-square-foot Mall Road Chick-fil-A restaurant features a:

heritage restaurant interior design that showcases handmade, authentic materials for a vintage-inspired interior, including a large gathering table made from reclaimed wood, subway tiles, and a light fixture made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles.

custom structural design unique to only one previous Chick-fil-A restaurant.

two-story interactive indoor play area for children and free Wi-Fi.

dining room with seating for 126 and additional outdoor seating for 24.

designated parking space for Chick-fil-A One App mobile order pick-ups.

full-service menu with a variety of healthy options and breakfast until 10:30 a.m., and will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Like all Chick-fil-A locations, it will be closed on Sunday to provide a day of rest and time with family for team members.

-Staff report

Image provided