Chick-Fil-A Declares Cow Appreciation Day

Jul 8, 2011, 15:34 by Sarah Long

Chick-Fil-A restaurants nationwide will be celebrating Cow Appreciation Day Friday by handing out free meals and entrees. The catch? You must be dressed up as a cow.

All of the 75-area restaurants will award complimentary entrees to customers partially dressed in cow attire, such as a cow-spotted scarf, purse, sneakers, hat or other accessory, NBC News reports. Those who want the full meal, complete with medium-sized waffle fries and drink, must be clad in a head-to-hoof cow costume.

The popular fast-food joint plans to give away close to half a million chicken sandwiches nationwide.

Steve Robinson, the company's senior vice president of marketing, shared his thoughts on the annual event.

"Cow Appreciation Day is a great barometer of how passionate our customers are for our brand," he tells Gather. "If you're willing to dress up like a cow for a free meal, you're obviously a loyal and even 'raving' Chick-fil-A fan."

Talmadge Cooper, 20, is looking forward to the event.

"It's a great way to market," he told The Independent Florida Alligator. "You can't go wrong with free food, and who wouldn't want to dress up like a cow?"