More than 200 people attended the grand opening of the new Bob Evans restaurant Monday, setting a record for the corporation's Rise and Shine prize giveaway.
Kimberly Jackson, president of Ball State University's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, said Bob Evans uses the giveaways to promote grand openings of their restaurants around the country.
Jackson said more than 50 Ball State students attended the event, prompting the Bob Evans corporate offices to praise PRSSA's efforts in promoting the event on campus.
"[Bob Evans] really wanted to get college-aged kids out there, and they said they were happy with our efforts," Jackson said.
She said the first patron got in line at 7 p.m. Sunday.
The restaurant greeted the early-morning customers with plastic eggs containing prizes ranging from free coffee to a free breakfast everyday for a year, Jackson said.
Sophomore Amanda Killebrew, a Spanish education major, attended the give away with her roommates. The three joined the line at 2 a.m. Monday but only garnered the 20th, 21st and 22nd places in line.
Killebrew said she won a $10 gift card to Bob Evans.
"We thought being in the top 25 would have guaranteed us the free breakfast for a year, but I guess not," Killebrew said.
Jackson said customers were allowed to place breakfast orders at 5:30 a.m. so food would be prepared when the doors opened at 6 a.m. She said Bob Evans CEO Steve Davis handed out the prizes to people as they entered the restaurant, and the radio station WLBC broadcast live from the event.
Killebrew, who said she heard about the event through PRSSA flyers, said she and her friends played Cornhole, cards and even sang songs while awaiting the opening.
"It was a good bonding experience with my roommates," she said.
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