SLIDESHOW: Hundreds at Chick-Fil-A Grand Opening in Framingham

Updated with more photos at 2:40 p.m.

A couple hundred people were at the grand opening of the Chick-Fil-A in Framingham Thursday morning, Feb. 18.

More than 30 individuals had started waiting in line and pitched tents before 6 a.m. Wednesday hoping to receive one of 100 gift cards that award 52 free meals - one a week for a year.

At 10 p.m. Wednesday, the 100th individual registered with the chain restaurant.

At least 100 individuals camped out overnight at the franchise, the 3rd in Eastern Massachusetts and the fifth in the Commonwealth.

Chick-Fil-A provided games, entertainment, live music and free food for those who waited. A rooster woke up the campers this morning at 6 a.m. and the company’s mascot ushered the 100 first customers in the restaurant, as employees banged pots and pans.

The new restaurant, located in Shoppers World near Kohl’s department store has a dining room for 126 people, and a 2-story indoor play area for children. There is also a dual drive-thru.

A Natick family, who has a child battling cancer could not camp out overnight, so they were the first family served at 6;30 a.m. today.

Children’s books have been collected throughout the week for United Way’s Ready to Read program and will continue until tonight at 7.

Franchise owner Mark Parker, who was raised in the MetroWest community and serviced the area through his family’s four-generation Parkers Dairy business, said he is excited to now serve the area through Chick-fil-A’s freshly prepared food and award-winning my pleasure customer service.

The restaurant continues to hire additional team members, as they look to staff a team of 110.

The restaurant will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Sundays.

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Photos provided by Cummings Photography of Framingham