Note: This story was updated on March 5 to correct the relationship between Harrison Bogema and Debbie Griffith.
In the game of winning free food, William Washington has led his team to victory once again.
On Monday, Washington guided his free food group chat, consisting of Harrison Bogema, Maribel Bogema, Andrew Stephenson and Debbie Griffith, to score a year's worth of free meals at the launch of Big Chicken on Hixson Pike — Tennessee's first location of the franchise owned by NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal.
Last week, Washington learned the first 34 people in line would receive free chicken sandwiches for a year. But during the grand opening, he found the deal was sweeter than expected. Instead, the first 34 were rewarded with a $10 credit per week for the upcoming year, allowing them to choose menu items of their choice.
"I will be here every week for the next year," Washington said, eating his free chicken sandwich with friends.
When it comes to food freebies, Washington is becoming a bit of a pro. When the Chik-fil-A opened in East Brainerd, he scored combo meals for a year. And when Dunkin' held its grand opening on Gunbarrel Road, he nabbed himself the rights to a dozen free donuts per week for a year.
"One quote I always use is, 'The best things in life are free: T-shirts, parking, food and the salvation of Jesus Christ,'" he said.
While technically Washington was No. 11 in line, he worked in cooperation with friends. In all things free food-related, when one member of the group hears about a deal, he or she will "holler at the others." Harrison and Maribel Bogema arrived to Monday's event at about 8 a.m.; Harrison's friend, Debbie Griffith, showed up at about 8:30; and Washington and Stephenson rolled in at about 9 a.m.
"William was the backbone of the operation," Harrison Bogema said. "We were his boots on the ground. We work as a team."
Jeff Johnson, who is not yet a member of the group got there before everybody, securing his No. 1 spot at 3:30 a.m. His friend Markel Jackson was second in line, arriving minutes later.
Johnson said he had gotten off work late, and knew he had the next few days off. He had been to other similar events, and knew lines could sometimes get pretty wild pretty early. Free chicken sandwiches for a year seemed worth the wait.
"I just figured, 'Why not?'" he said. "I'm just living life."
Jim Richards and his business partners Brion Vogess and Andrew Gardner have owned and operated Fiamma Pizza Co. in downtown Chattanooga, as well as 13 Five Guys locations in the Chattanooga/North Georgia region for the past 17 years. They had been searching for a new brand to bring in to the fold, and Big Chicken emerged as the best option.
(READ MORE: Steak 'N Shake closes in Hixson)
They plan a second location at 410 Broad St., in the former All Good book store, with an anticipated opening date of April 8. And they are looking at additional sites in the East Brainerd area, as well as Nashville and Knoxville.
Sam Stanovich, senior vice president of Big Chicken, said franchise leadership has been in Chattanooga for several days and said the "community excitement has been contagious."
(READ MORE: Popeye's opens in Hixson as restaurants grow around Northgate Mall)
He said the menu at Big Chicken is chef-driven, offering a range from simple choices to inventive ones such as a sandwich topped with coleslaw and jalapeno peppers and another featuring Lucille's mac and cheese — O'Neal's mother Lucille's own recipe.
"Shaquille has been passionate about chicken sandwiches since he was a young man living and growing up on Army bases," Stanovich said.
Stanovich said there are plans for O'Neal to visit Chattanooga, although he can't reveal a date.
"He has an intense schedule, between his work as a television sports announcer, an electronic dance music disc jockey, and owner of several other businesses and franchises," Stanovich said.
Contact Jennifer McNally at jmcnally@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6416.