Chick-fil-A was born from the small business S. Truett Cathy, which started in 1946 with its first restaurant opening in Atlanta. For 78 years, this beloved fast-food chain has been the go-to of many, thanks to its famous Original Chicken Sandwich.
However, there’s much more to Chick-fil-A than just its delicious food. From its humble beginnings to its unique corporate culture, this restaurant chain has a fascinating history and several surprising facts that many patrons may not know.
Let’s explore 12 intriguing aspects of Chick-fil-A that showcase its rich heritage, commitment to quality, and distinctive business practices. From its clever name to its community-focused initiatives, these lesser-known facts reveal the depth of thought and intention behind the brand.
Chick-fil-A Started as The Dwarf House
When Cathy started a small business in 1946 with his brother Ben in Atlanta, they named it The Dwarf Grill, which later came to be known as The Dwarf House. After running the place for almost two decades, Cathy perfected the boneless chicken sandwich recipe in 1964 and had their customers taste-test it.
The business grew from then on, and Cathy opened the first Chick-fil-A outlet in 1967. The Dwarf House is still operating, with its menu mostly focusing on hamburgers and steaks, while also serving the Chick-fil-A menu. However, compared to Chick-fil-A’s over 3,000 locations, The Dwarf House only has five outlets in the metro Atlanta area.
The “A” in Chick-fil-A
The name Chick-fil-A is a clever blend of wordplay and quality assurance, carefully crafted by founder S. Truett Cathy. “Chick” represents the restaurant chain’s signature juicy chicken, while “fil-A” is a creative twist on “filet”. The “A” isn’t just a stylistic choice; it stands for “Grade A,” symbolizing the top-quality chicken Chick-fil-A promises its customers.
They are Closed on Sundays
Unlike other fast-food chains, which are open 24/7, seven days a week, Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Sundays. Although this decision was driven by Cathy’s Christian beliefs, the policy which hasn’t wavered since 1946 has worked wonders for the restaurant chain and its sales.
According to a Business Insider report, this method of operation not only instills a sense of urgency in customers but also allows employees and franchisee owners to take a break and return with renewed energy. In addition to Sundays, Chick-fil-A is closed for business on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Serving Fish Sandwiches for Lent
Chick-fil-A started serving fish sandwiches for Lent back in 2016, aligning with the tradition of abstinence during this liturgical season. This limited-edition meal, consisting of breaded cod fillets on a butter-toasted bun with pickles and tartar sauce, made a return in 2021.
Although the restaurant chain doesn’t always offer a seasonal fish entrée, it provides other options for guests during Lent. Chick-fil-A has a full list of vegetarian-friendly meal options for people who want to avoid eating meat during the Lenten season.
Free Meals for “First 100” for a Year
The “First 100” event was a Chick-fil-A promotion where the first 100 customers of a newly opened outlet would be rewarded with free meals. More recently the fast-food chain began celebrating its new restaurant openings by selecting 100 community heroes who have made an impact in their local area.
The chain honors them with free entrées for a year, providing them with a card that can be used 52 times before it expires. Unfortunately, Chick-fil-A is currently not accepting nominations for its Community Heroes First 100 event. However, the company’s Facebook page continues to honor and celebrate local heroes.
A Very Affordable Franchise Fee
Franchising a Chick-fil-A restaurant is relatively inexpensive compared to other fast-food chains, with total costs reportedly ranging from $342,990 and $1,982,225. The upfront cost is only $10,000, although that’s just a small part of the financial prerequisites to apply for a franchising agreement. The company also covers all startup costs, including real estate, construction, and restaurant equipment.
Nevertheless, there are some differences between franchising Chick-fil-A and the traditional franchise model. Chick-fil-A franchisees can’t sell their business or assets. There’s also no exit strategy, and only one restaurant can operate in one location. Because the initial investment cost is low, the selection process is highly competitive, and there’s no guarantee of being chosen. With over 50,000 applicants per year and many new locations opening, the odds of being selected are less than 1%.
Employees Saying “My Pleasure” Instead of “You’re Welcome”
One practice that has become iconic for Chick-fil-A is training its employees to respond to “thank you” with “my pleasure” instead of “you’re welcome.” The tradition began when Truett Cathy visited a Ritz-Carlton hotel — after thanking an employee, the response he got was a sincere “my pleasure.”
The memory of this interaction and the way it made him feel stayed with Cathy. So, when he returned home, he encouraged his staff to say “my pleasure” whenever a customer said thank you.
A Private Company Through and Through
As a private, family-owned business, Chick-fil-A doesn’t offer stock options to the public. The company aims to remain entirely private, with founder Cathy having made his children sign a contract agreeing that Chick-fil-A would never go public. However, the family retains the option to sell it should they wish it.
Continuing the family legacy, Cathy’s grandson, Andrew, now serves as the CEO. The Cathy family has been working together for over seven decades, and several second and third-generation family members operate the business.
Chick-fil-A’s Original Chicken Recipe is Locked in a Vault
When Cathy started developing his chicken recipe, he experimented with many different seasonings. He continually searched for the perfect taste combination and often asked his customers for feedback.
Cathy finally achieved the taste he wanted for his chicken recipe when his customers told him, “We like it. Don’t change it again.” Several decades later, the original recipe remains, and Cathy had it locked in a vault at the Chick-fil-A corporate Support Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
No Secret Menu
Contrary to popular belief, Chick-fil-A has no secret menu. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t concoct your own culinary creations by mixing and matching the fast-food chain’s menu items. Many Chick-fil-A locations accept custom orders and will even accommodate requests for popular off-menu items like the double-decker sandwich, cheese fries, chicken quesadilla, lettuce-wrapped sandwiches, and root beer float.
Chick-fil-A also rotates seasonal and limited-time items on and off its menu throughout the year to always have something new to offer its patrons. This includes the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, Banana Pudding Milkshake, and Banana Frosted Coffee.
The First Fast-Food Restaurant to Serve Chicken Without Antibiotics
Chick-fil-A was the first major fast-food restaurant to serve chicken raised without antibiotics. The company announced this plan in February 2014 and fully implemented it in May 2019.
However, in the spring of 2024, the fast food chain shifted its policy from No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) to No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM) to “maintain the supply of high-quality chicken”.
Generously Giving Back
In addition to its chicken and other delicious food items, Chick-fil-A is also known for its generous charitable contributions. The fast-food chain donates millions of dollars to scholarships and other educational initiatives each year.
The restaurant chain hosts a high school basketball tournament to provide scholarships to high school seniors in the greater Columbia area. The company also sponsors two college football events in Atlanta, Georgia: the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, an early-season matchup6.