The Ames community is adding another fast-food restaurant to its roster.

Chick-fil-A will open at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday on Duff Avenue after attempting to expand to Ames since 2005, when its restaurant in the Memorial Union closed.

“We’ve had a lot of guests voicing desire for Chick-fil-A to come back to Ames for the community not just on campus,” said Tari Thompson, owner of Chick-fil-A in Ames.

Although the restaurant is located off campus, around three-fourths of the 80 employees are ISU students or affiliates, Thompson said.

The first 100 people in line will be awarded free Chick-fil-A for a year that covers 52 meals, including a sandwich, waffle fries and medium drink.

Students started camping out as early as Tuesday morning with about 50 people waiting at Chick-fil-A at 9:30 a.m. 

Other opening events include a charity drive called Book House. From 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Chick-fil-A will accept gently used books to donate to Meeker Elementary School in Ames.

“We are wanting to partner with the community,” Thompson said. “One thing I’m passionate about is kids and education.”

Once a year, Chick-fil-A will have a traveling Book House as a competition among the Ames elementary schools. Schools that donate the most books will have the books donated to their elementary school at the end of the contest.

“We will have a little bit of competitive spirit,” Thompson said.

Chick-fil-A was looking into a location farther south on Duff Avenue but decided on the location on 3rd Street and Duff Avenue.

Some students will not support Chick-fil-A’s business.

“I’m not sure how many of them are aware that Chick-fil-A supports anti-LGBTA groups and discrimination against LGBT employees, LGBT families and they support anti-LGBT legislation,” said Anna Slavina, president and founder of the former One Iowa at Iowa State student organization.

But Thompson has differing views than other Chick-fil-A executives.

“As an independent owner [and] operator, my views are different than that of Chick-fil-A’s, and I personally just want to treat all our guests with honor, dignity and respect,” Thompson said. “Regardless of who you are and what you believe in, I still want to serve a great chicken sandwich to you.”