Chick-fil-A

S. Truett Cathy and his brother Ben opened the Dwarf Grill, the precursor to the Chick-fil-A business.⁠[1]

After extensive testing, Truett Cathy finalized the original chicken sandwich recipe, combining chicken breast, a toasted bun and two pickle slices into the brand’s signature product.⁠[2]

Truett Cathy opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall. The 384-square-foot location initially sold its chicken sandwich for 59 cents.⁠[3]

Truett Cathy established a scholarship program supporting restaurant employees’ further education.⁠[4]

The company introduced nuggets in 1982 and waffle fries in 1985. In 1986, it opened its first freestanding restaurant on Atlanta’s North Druid Hills Road and introduced the Chicken Biscuit breakfast item.⁠[4]

The brand introduced cows painting the deliberately misspelled slogan “Eat Mor Chikin” on a billboard, encouraging consumers to choose chicken. The characters later appeared across television, radio and other advertising.⁠[5]

Founder’s son Dan Cathy became CEO, continuing family leadership.⁠[1]

After donations to the Salvation Army and Fellowship of Christian Athletes drew criticism from LGBTQ advocates, the company’s foundation shifted its priorities toward education, homelessness and hunger. PolitiFact reported in 2023 that its 2020 tax filing listed neither organization as a recipient; a company spokesperson also said donations to them had not continued after 2019.⁠[6]

Andrew Cathy succeeded his father Dan as CEO; Dan remained chairman.⁠[7]

The original Chick-fil-A restaurant at Greenbriar Mall closed. The chain had expanded beyond its shopping-mall origins into freestanding and drive-thru formats.⁠[3][8]

The Jodeco Road restaurant in Georgia opened with four drive-thru lanes and an upstairs kitchen conveying meals to employees below. The company said the system could deliver one meal every six seconds. Customers could order in the app or with an employee on site.⁠[9]

Susannah Frost became president and leader of the executive committee, while Cliff Robinson became chief operating officer. Andrew Cathy retained responsibility for overall strategy and culture. The appointments were announced in August and took effect in October.⁠[10]

QSR’s annual industry report put Chick-fil-A’s system sales at about $23.9 billion and consolidated company revenue at about $10.3 billion. Franchised and company-operated outlets increased by a net 179 to 2,863, with another 435 licensed venues. System sales and company revenue are distinct measures.⁠[11]

The company named local operators for restaurants in Leeds and Singapore, outlining plans to invest more than $100 million in the United Kingdom and $75 million in Singapore over ten years. Hands-on local operators formed part of its expansion model.⁠[12]

Marking eighty years since the original 1946 diner, the company launched retro packaging, collectible cups and a year of brand activities, while adding Frosted Sodas and Floats to its permanent menu.⁠[13]

CNBC reported 14% revenue growth and a 1% increase in net income to $1.05 billion for 2025. Andrew Cathy said there were no plans for an IPO or outside investment.⁠[14]

Andrew Cathy told CNBC that the chain did not plan to replace drive-thru order takers with voice AI, favoring human hospitality while exploring behind-the-scenes AI uses.⁠[14]

Chick-fil-A is a privately held, family-owned restaurant business headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Selected local operators manage its restaurants; initial applicants generally receive a single-unit opportunity requiring direct daily involvement. The website’s $10,000 figure describes an initial financial commitment rather than the entire cost of building a restaurant.⁠[15][16][8]

The company continues Truett Cathy’s Sunday-closing practice, begun in 1946, allowing employees time to rest or worship if they choose. Shared Table redirects surplus restaurant food to local charities, alongside employee scholarships and leadership development programs.⁠[17][15]

Chick-fil-A: Website: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/ (opens in a new window); X: https://x.com/ChickfilA (opens in a new window); newsroom account: https://x.com/ChickfilANews (opens in a new window); YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/@chickfila (opens in a new window); LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry (corporate headquarters): https://www.linkedin.com/company/chick-fil-a-corporate/ (opens in a new window).⁠[15][18][19][20][16]