Chick-fil-A will open its first Leland restaurant at 3571 Leland Town Center Dr. on Dec. 5, according to an announcement Tuesday. 

The more than 4,000-square-foot fast food restaurant is hiring nearly 100. Chick-fil-A at Leland Town Center's operator is Veronica Weibel, who was born in Wilson and grew up in Apex, encountering her first taste of Chick-fil-A at age 10, a news release stated. Weibel also attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

"Weibel was 16 when she applied at her local Chick-fil-A and was recognized early in her career for her leadership potential, with her Operator planting the seed for her to consider it for her future," according to the release. "Becoming a Chick-fil-A Operator is no easy task as the chain receives nearly 60,000 applications for approximately 120 annual franchise opportunities." 

In 2015, Weibel was named operator of the Carolina Mall location. Now the operator of the Leland eatery, Weibel will award a free year supply of Chick-fil-A to the first 100 eligible adults in line on grand opening morning. The awarding will take place before 6 a.m. Dec. 5, according to the release, and the Chick-fil-A Cow will lead a conga line of participants through the restaurant.

Highlights of the Leland location, according to the release, include a: 

• dual-lane drive-thru merging into a single pick-up point that can handle upwards of 200 cars an hour. The location also has environment-controlled canopies. 
• heritage restaurant design that showcases a vintage-inspired interior with floor-to-ceiling windows and drop pendant lighting. 
• 115-seat dining room with a two-story indoor playground and free Wi-Fi, along with a 16-seat outdoor patio. 

The overnight, 12-hour grand opening First 100 Campout party begins at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and includes activities, the release stated. At least 100 adults will win a digital offer card for a year of free Chick-fil-A meals (52 meals with each consisting of a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, medium waffle fries and a medium beverage). 

According to the release, Chick-fil-A opened Wilmington’s first location 40 years ago in 1979 at Independence Mall. The Chick-fil-A at Leland Town Center becomes the eighth location within a 25-mile radius and is one of 120 new restaurants that have opened this year nationwide.