Fans lined up for today's Rockville Chick-fil-A grand opening (Photos)

With one-hundred "free Chick-fil-A for a year" prizes on the line, local residents have spent the night in line at the brand new Chick-fil-A restaurant at Research Row, located off W. Montgomery Avenue at 1401 Research Boulevard. Spirits are high, as fans of the chain await the first Rockville location with drive-thru to open.

Chick-fil-A sets opening date at Research Row in Rockville

This is the news many of us have been waiting for: the opening date for the new Chick-fil-A restaurant at the equally-new Research Row shopping center at 1401 Research Boulevard in Rockville. The restaurant will open on September 27.

Finally a Chick-fil-A with a drive-thru! But if you are dining inside, the restaurant will seat 96, and features a two-story interactive play area for families who miss the old McDonald's playgrounds.

“I am excited to bring another Chick-fil-A to the Rockville community that I have been a part of for the last 25 years and to have the opportunity to continue serving the community both inside and outside my restaurant,” franchise operator Brad Wood said Wednesday. “I am committed to developing my team members, as together we provide a remarkable experience to our guests who become part of our family."

Of course, the restaurant will be hosting the now-traditional campout the night before the opening. Registration to line up will begin at 6:00 AM on September 26 at the restaurant. Up to 100 adults who live in qualifying nearby zip codes will win gift cards for a year of free Chick-fil-A meals. A book drive will also be held, benefiting a local Boys & Girls Club.

Rockville construction update: Research Row shopping center (Photos)

There has been significant progress in the construction of Rockville's newest shopping center, Research Row. The retail center, which is next to the Best Western hotel on Route 28, will include a Chick-fil-A restaurant and Onelife Fitness. It is very rare - particularly in the downcounty area - to find a retail-only development in Montgomery County these days, but it is yet another example of how smarter Rockville land-use planning decisions helped make the city the "Best Place to Live in Maryland" (according to Money magazine) this year.

100 IN LINE FOR ROCKVILLE CHICK-FIL-A GRAND OPENING THURSDAY MORNING (PHOTOS)

The "First 100" are already in line at the new Chick-fil-A in Montrose Crossing shopping center in Rockville tonight. If they remain in their spots until the Grand Opening at 6:00 AM Thursday morning, they will win free Chick-fil-A meals for a year.

This afternoon, 7 alternate spots remained, a sort of waiting list where you could win if one of the First 100 drops out over the night. It's going to be a chilly and soggy one, but Chick-fil-A is providing games to pass the time.

The chain has given $18 million worth of such free meals away at more than 700 Chick-fil-A openings.

Montrose Crossing is located at the intersection of Rockville Pike and Montrose Parkway. If exiting from the Montrose Parkway, you will see the restaurant immediately on the right as you rise on the ramp to Rockville Pike.