Fresno Chick-Fil-A Opens

Fresno Bee:

Chick-fil-A restaurant has a die-hard following in many parts of the country, but in Fresno, many are still learning to pronounce the name.

The restaurant — pronounced “Chick-fillay” — opened early this morning at the corner of Blackstone and Nees avenues in Fresno.

Despite the 1,402 franchises in 37 states and Washington, D.C., and a Chick-fil-A inside the University Student Union at California State University, Fresno, that opened last year, it’s a relative unknown in the central San Joaquin Valley.

The Atlanta-based company is known for its boneless chicken breast sandwich, a closed-on-Sunday policy, an openly Christian founder and ads involving cows encouraging people to “Eat Mor Chikin.”

It also has fanatic fans.

Chick-fil-A gives away 52 free combo meal coupons to the first 100 customers in line at 6 a.m. the day before a new store opening, a promotion that typically draws large crowds of die-hard fans with tents.

Photo: Mark Crosse / The Fresno Bee.