The Chick-fil-A fast-food chain says it will open restaurants in Meridian and Boise on Thursday, Oct. 25 with plans to hire nearly 160 people.

The Boise location is at 200 S. Broadway Ave. The Meridian location is at 2012 N. Eagle Road in Meridian.

The company already has a licensee operation at Boise State University.

Chick-fil-A says it will give away 52 meal certificates — enough for one meal a week for a year — to the first 100 people who show up at each restaurant. Cards will be awarded beginning at 6 a.m. on Oct. 25.

The company has 1,665 restaurants and is opening 96 in 2012. Chick-fil-A has 44 years of consecutive growth. Sales in 2011 were $4 billion.

Joe Bucklew will be the franchise operator of the Boise store. Brad Miles will be operate the Meridian store. Both moved to the Boise are with their families earlier this year from Chick-fil-A sites in Florida.

Restaurant hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.