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Cows eat free at Chick-fil-A. Photo: Jonathan D. Blundell/flickr

Don't do a double take Friday if you happen to see some customers at Chick-fil-A dressed as bovines. They're just celebrating the chain's fifth annual Cow Appreciation Day.

Any customer who shows up to the restaurant on July 10 dressed in full cow regalia -- that means dressed from head to hoof -- will get a free combo meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner). Those who come with just a piece of cow clothing (T-shirt, bandanna, purse, etc.) will get a free entree.

Seems like a lot of commitment for free food. Would you do it?

Last Friday, the u-pick farm I like to frequent was offering a special 4th of July deal. If you were willing to sing the National Anthem, or recite the Pledge of Alligence, they'd give you a free bag of popcorn to take home along with the peaches, blueberries and plums you picked. I was more interested in the apple cider donuts, so I skipped the display of patriotism and paid for my snack.

However, if you're the type who likes to work for your meal and doesn't mind looking a little silly in the pursuit of a good deal, then you might like what Chick-fil-a offering up this Friday. They've declared it to be Cow Appreciation Day and if you dress up like a cow and go to one of their stores, you'll be rewarded with some free food. If you go all out and dress yourself from head to hoof, you'll get a free combo meal. If you just do a partial look, you'll be given a standalone entree. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your costume.

[via Fast Food News]

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Would you sit all night in a parking lot to get free combo meals?

That's what over 100 people did in Phoenix yesterday. They stayed overnight in the parking lot of Chick-fil-A to get 52 free combo meals. The doors opened at 6:30am and the customers (who brought along tents and sleeping bags and TVs so they'd be at home in the parking lot) walked through the door for their free meals. Reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where Jerry dated the woman who worked in the soup kitchen and he was amazed that people would eat soup all day, even in the morning.

Wait a second, 100 people got 52 free combo meals each? Is that what the article says? Yikes.

[via The Obscure Store & Reading Room]

If you actually live in southern California, you may not even know about it, but if you live anywhere else in the United States, particularly in the southeast, you know Chick-Fil-A, the chain of fast food restaurants that specializes in chicken sandwiches. Then again, even if you've never seen an actual Chick-Fil-A restaurant, you've probably seen the company's "Eat Mor Chikin" ad campaign.

According to the Press Telegram, the chain is making plans for a big push into California. Currently. Of the 1253 US locations, fewer than 20 are in California. In fact, in the Los Angeles area, there are only four, three of which are in mall/shopping centers: South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach, Los Cerritos Center, and the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. The Long Beach on Carson Street is the only free-standing restaurant. Chick-Fil-A prefers to purchase the real estate rather than leasing space to build their restaurants.

President and COO Dan Cathy expects a dozen or so restaurants open by the end of 2007.

I'm sure there are some Chick-fil-A fans out there. The question is, are you that hard up for a free chicken sandwich that you'll dress up like a cow on Chick-fil-A's Cow Appreciation Day, July 14? For the second year in a row, the fast food chain is offering a free combo meal for anyone who comes into a location dressed like a cow ("cow spots head to toe"). An FAQ from last year's event explains that "partial cow attire" will only get you an entree, not a combo. If anyone plans on participating, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take some pictures and comment with links.

[Via Fast Food News]