Want Some Abracadabra with that Chicken Sandwich?

If you like a little abracadabra with your chicken sandwich, you may want to stop by Aliso Viejo's franchise at 5 p.m. today.

Each Tuesday at that hour, the restaurant hosts a themed Family Night program. This month, the fast-food outlet has lined up a magician to perform. Last month, visitors were treated to behind-the-scenes kitchen tours.

And, on Saturday, the restaurant hosted a free carnival to celebrate its one-year anniversary in town.

The genesis behind such events is Chick-fil-A's corporate goal "to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with" the restaurant. In Aliso Viejo, that means crafts, caricature artists and face-painting, among other activities.

“We’ve really seen a lot of support from the community in Aliso Viejo,” said Chick-fil-A Marketing Director Karolin Stradling. “We enjoy doing these events to get to know the community.”

Last Tuesday at 4:55 p.m., a group of wide-eyed children stood just inside the door, tugging at parent’s shirts chanting “I’m hungry!” and waiting for the free food that would follow.

During the tour, restaurant employees talked a little history and shared various fun facts, including:

• Chick-fil-A is a descendant of a restaurant called the Dwarf Grill, opened in 1946 by company CEO S. Truett Cathy in Hapeville, Ga.
• Cathy later helped pioneer food courts in malls
• Since officially debuting in the early 1960s, the Chick-fil-A chain has invaded all but 11 states
• The Aliso Viejo location makes 1,800 chicken nuggets a day and 6,500 sandwiches per month
• Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays because Cathy, an avid Baptist, wants to honor God.