Free Toll Friday Returns to AC Expressway for Memorial Day Weekend Rush Hour

/ Chickie's and Pete's/

After a two-year pandemic hiatus, iconic Delaware Valley based restaurant group Chickie’s and Pete’s will kick-off summer by paying travelers tolls Memorial Day Weekend. Chickie’s and Pete’s will once again partner with the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) and the Atlantic City Expressway for “Free Toll Friday." While gas prices and travel costs are on the rise, Chickie's and Pete's picks up the tab in one of the region's best summertime traditions. Chickie’s & Pete’s, home of world famous Crabfries®, will be paying tolls (cash and EZ Pass) for all drivers at the Eastbound Egg Harbor, New Jersey Toll Plaza Exit on Friday May 27th from 5pm to 6pm. Early that afternoon, from 12 noon to 5pm Chickie’s and Pete's will give away free orders of their world famous Crabfries® at the Farley Plaza from The Crabfries® Express Food Truck, plus host an outdoor celebration.

Chickie’s & Pete’s is also proud to join forces with local non-profit, The Patriot Fund, this Memorial Day Weekend; paying homage to what really matters this holiday. The Patriot Fund works to provide a world where our heroic Veterans can return from duty proactively supported psychologically, emotionally, socially, and financially as they and their families re-engage into civilian life. They served us, now it’s time to serve them. For more information on The Patriot Fund and to donate, please visit patriotfundinc.org.
 
“We simply could not be more excited to get back to kicking off and celebrating summer by paying for driver's tolls again,” said Chickie's & Pete's Founder Pete Ciarrocchi. “This year we are celebrating more than the kick-off to summer. We are paying for the tolls to thank all those who supported us the past two years. Chickie’s and Pete’s customers supported us and now we get to return the favor."

Ciarrocchi chose Memorial Day Weekend to pay the tolls as a way to honor his family’s military tradition. “My Dad and my Uncles were all in the military,” said Ciarrocchi. “In fact, my Uncle George, who was my restaurant mentor, won the Silver Star for bravery. He was quite the guy and I couldn't think of a better way to honor him.”

For the return of Free Toll Friday, Chickie’s and Pete’s and SJTA will also kick-off summer with a celebration earlier in the day at Frank S. Farley Plaza from 12 to 5pm Everyone is invited to stop by and enjoy free food and beverages courtesy of Starbucks, Hershey’s Ice Cream, 7-11 Stores and Fresh Attractions from Apple Green (the food service operator at the Farley Plaza). Coca-Cola will also be on hand with their Monster Energy Drink.

There will also be free family fun including face painting, a demonstration by The State Police Dog Search and Rescue Team and a display of Fire and Rescue Equipment from The Atlantic City International Airport. In addition, children can visit with ambassadors from The Funny Farm, an animal rescue sanctuary for farm and zoo animals.  

A host of other community organizations, vendors and exhibitors from across Southern New Jersey will also be on hand for the festivities at the Frank S. Farley Plaza.

The “Free Toll Friday” toll payment by Chickie’s & Pete’s is for all drivers at the Egg Harbor, New Jersey Toll Plaza Eastbound exit on Friday May 27th from 5:00pm to 6:00pm.

Before the pandemic interfered, Chickie’s & Pete’s and the SJTA celebrated this Memorial Day weekend tradition yearly since 2013. Now the tradition is back!  Over Memorial Day Weekend, New Jersey could see at least one million people traveling throughout the state for the holiday.  On average more than 285,000 motorists have used the Atlantic City Expressway alone between Friday and Monday (pre-pandemic).

For more about Chickie's and Pete's, visit www.ChickiesandPetes.com for details.

ABOUT CHICKIE'S AND PETE'S

Chickie's & Pete's is a Philadelphia-area crab house and sports bar with 17 locations across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Founded in 1977 by Peter and Henrietta Ciarrocchi, Chickie's & Pete's started as a single location in the Mayfair neighborhood of Philadelphia and has since grown to become one of the most recognizable brands in the region.  It's famous, one-of-a-kind Crabfries® concession locations can be found in stadiums, arenas, boardwalks and amusement parks throughout the area. Chickie's & Pete's is a leader in forging innovative strategic partnerships and utilizing technology to bring together casual dining with interactive sports entertainment. The company combines family-based values with a love of all things sports in each of its locations. Learn more at www.chickiesandpetes.com.