Chick-fil-A plans a party at its Wednesday grand opening in Howland

Staff report

HOWLAND

Chick-fil-A will open a new restaurant today in a stand-alone building at 1885 Niles Cortland Road SE.

The new Chick-fil-A branch in Howland Commons will employ 90 people and will feature the chain’s newest interior and kitchen design. It will seat 132 in the dining room, with additional outdoor seating for 28.

The restaurant will have dual drive-thru ordering lanes, an outdoor play area and free Wi-Fi. It will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday), serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m.

The new Howland eatery will be operated by Derek Emerson, who also operates the Chick-fil-A in Southern Park Mall in Boardman.

To mark the opening, the new restaurant will implement the First 100 celebration, a signature of the chain at all openings.

The First 100 event will transform the parking lot into a 24-hour community party, and more than $32,000 worth of food will be awarded. A digital card loaded with a one-year supply of Chick-fil-A meals will be given to each of the first 100 eligible adults, age 18 and older with identification, in line when the doors open about 6 a.m. today. If more than 100 people are on site when the doors open, then all 100 spots will be determined by a drawing this morning with those selected needing to have camped out for 24 hours to secure their spot.

The promotion is open only to those who live in certain ZIP-code areas. Go to chick-fil-a.com/Locations/Openings for the list. More than 150 ZIP codes are on the list.

The new restaurant also will collect new children’s books during normal business hours today and Thursday. The books will be donated to Inspiring Minds.