Dedicated fans of Chick-Fil-A were camping out in the East Bay Wednesday night.

Their prize for spending the night outside the soon-to-be-opened fast food restaurant chain? Free meals for a year.

The camp out in Walnut Creek was something of a slumber party, with a dancefloor and tents set up all over the parking lot.

Chicken fans danced the night away, counting down the hours until the Bay Area's latest Chick-Fil-A opens.

For nine years, the chain has offered a years supply of free meals to the first 100 people who show up for a store opening.

Ryan Schumacher is a member of the Stanford Triathalon team. He said the chain has a near cult-like following in his home state of Tennesee.

"I love Chick-Fil-A back home and I gotta represent out here too," explained Schumacher.

And customers came prepared, packing tents and more. Kim Winter was prepared for the night.

"You have to have all the aerobeds and the electrical outlets the iPad and the cell-phone charging," said Winter.

Winter tried Chik-Fil-A for the first time about a year ago and is now a big fan.

"It's really good. It's whole meat and it's fresh and it tastes good," said Winter. "It tastes like it came out of your mom's kitchen."

The chain has a fanatical following, but has also drawn protests over the company president's support of groups opposed to same-sex marriage.

Organizers have set up a Facebook page calling for a peaceful protest at the site Thursday morning.

Franchisee Brent Allen said he will be ready for them.

"I'm a beleiver in free speech and I invite them here to express themselves and i'm gonna treat them with honor dignity and respect," said Allen.

The doors open at 6:30 a.m. Thursday morning. Fans said they're already planning out what they want for breakfast.