How 2 Markit Mor Chikin

Chick-fil-A is bad ass.

They really, truly are.

And here's proof:

- They invented the chicken sandwich and it is delicious.

- They have expanded smartly and now have successful franchises across the country.

- Two words: Waffle. Fries.

But the deliciousness of their food and business principles aside, they have some pretty BA marketing as well.

Most people are familiar with their "Eat Mor Chikin" ad campaign featuring cows encouraging us to eat chicken rather than beef. The multiple iterations of this campaign never cease to be clever and inventive, eye-catching and memorable. (I may or may not have a cow toy from the holiday-themed campaign on my desk right now. It may or may not have been a gift.)

After recognizing the power of their loyal fanbase, Chick-fil-A began mobilizing fans to support new locations. Every time Chick-fil-A opens a new restaurant, they offer a year's worth of free food to the first 100 customers. This promotion has gotten so popular that the line starts more than 24 hours before the store opens and has a list of accompanying rules outlining proper "camped out in a parking lot for chikin" etiquette. I need a store to open on the west coast so I can go. (Yes, I'd camp out for Chick-fil-A. I've camped out for stranger things....)

And Chick-fil-A's latest idea that "Pops" is their targeted Facebook ads offering free chicken biscuits. The user-activated pop-up offers you a free chicken biscuit for entering your information. Then it offers you the chance to let friends know you scored a free biscuit.

This approach to Facebook ads is full of awesome and win because it offers free breakfast goodness and shows a healthy understanding of Facebook and its users. The pop-up is user-activated, so not annoying, and gives people a chance to "brag" to their friends about the free chicken. It uses popular electronic means to turn customers into evangelists and generate trial opportunities for the sad, sad people who have not tried Chick-fil-A.

A moment of silence for those sad people....and then dinner.