Chick - fil - A - wikipedia Chick - fil - A This article 's lead section does not adequately summarize key points of its contents. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. Please discuss this issue on the article 's talk page. ( March 2017 ) Chick - fil - A, Inc. Type Privately held company Industry Restaurants Founded May 23, 1946 ; 71 years ago ( 1946 - 05 - 23 ) ( as Dwarf House ) 1967 ; 50 years ago ( 1967 ) ( as Chick - fil - A ) Hapeville, Georgia, U.S. Founder S. Truett Cathy Headquarters Atlanta, Georgia, United States Number of locations Over 2,000 Area served United States Canada Key people Dan T. Cathy ( CEO ) Products Sandwiches, chicken dishes Revenue US $ 6 billion ( 2015 ) Website chick-fil-a.com A Chick - fil - A in the food court of The Galleria in Uptown Houston, Texas A series of Chick - fil - A trucks at the Airport West Distribution Center Chick - fil - A at Holcombe and Buffalo Speedway, Houston, Texas Chick - fil - A headquarters in College Park, Georgia Chick - fil - A ( / tʃ ɪkfɪˈleɪ / chik - fil - AY, a play on the American English pronunciation of `` fillet '' ) is an American fast food restaurant chain headquartered in the Atlanta district of College Park, Georgia, specializing in chicken sandwiches. Founded in May 1946, it has more than 2,000 restaurants, mainly in the United States. The company 's culture is influenced by its founder, Truett Cathy 's, Southern Baptist beliefs ; all Chick - fil - A restaurants are closed for business on Sunday as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Contents 1 History 2 Business model 3 Advertising 4 Sponsored events 5 Related restaurants 5.1 The Hapeville Dwarf House 5.2 Dwarf House 5.3 Truett 's Grill 6 Corporate culture 6.1 Same - sex marriage controversy 6.1. 1 Response 6.1. 2 Report of policy change 7 Recipe changes 8 Plan to raise its chickens without antibiotics 9 See also 10 References 11 External links History The chain 's origin can be traced to the Dwarf Grill ( now the Dwarf House ), a restaurant opened by S. Truett Cathy, the chain 's former chairman and CEO, in 1946. The restaurant is located in Hapeville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, and is near the location of the now - demolished Ford Motor Company Atlanta Assembly Plant, for many years a source of many of the restaurant 's patrons. In 1961, after 15 years in the fast food business, Cathy found a pressure - fryer that could cook the chicken sandwich in the same amount of time it took to cook a fast - food hamburger. Following this discovery, he registered the name Chick - fil - A, Inc. The company 's trademarked slogan, `` We Did n't Invent the Chicken, Just the Chicken Sandwich, '' refers to their flagship menu item, the Chick - fil - A chicken sandwich. The first Chick - fil - A opened in 1967, in the food court of the Greenbriar Mall, in a suburb of Atlanta. During the 1970s and early 1980s, the chain expanded by opening new franchises in suburban malls ' food courts. The first freestanding franchise was opened April 16, 1986, on North Druid Hills Road in Atlanta, Georgia, and the company began to focus more on this type of franchise than on the food court type. Although it has expanded outward from its original geographic base, most new restaurants are located in Southern suburban areas. In October 2015, the company opened a three - story 5,000 - square - foot restaurant in Manhattan that became the largest free - standing Chick - fil - A in the country at that time. As of 2016, the chain has approximately 1,950 locations. It also has 31 drive - through - only locations. Chick - fil - A also can be found at universities, hospitals, and airports through licensing agreements. Since 1997, the Atlanta - based company has been the title sponsor of the Peach Bowl, an annual college football bowl game played in Atlanta on New Year 's Eve. Chick - fil - A also is a key sponsor of the SEC and the ACC of college athletics. The company expanded for the first time outside of the United States by opening an outlet at the Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in May 2014. This restaurant is located near the departure area for flights bound for the United States. However, per tradition, it is closed Sundays and Christmas Day. Business model Chick - fil - A retains ownership of each restaurant. Chick - fil - A selects the restaurant location and builds it. Chick - fil - A franchisees need only a $10,000 initial investment to become an operator. Since 2010, Chick - fil - A has led the fast food industry in average sales per restaurant, despite being open only six days a week, earning an average $4.8 million per restaurant in 2016 ( Whataburger was second with $2.7 million per restaurant ). Advertising `` Eat Mor Chikin '' is the chain 's most prominent advertising slogan, created by The Richards Group in 1995. The slogan is often seen in advertisements, featuring Holstein dairy cows that are often seen wearing ( or holding ) signs that ( usually ) read : `` Eat Mor Chikin '' in all capital letters. The ad campaign was temporarily halted during a mad cow disease scare on January 1, 2004, so as not to make the chain seem insensitive or appear to be taking advantage of the scare to increase its sales. Two months later, the cows were put up again. The cows replaced the chain 's old mascot, Doodles, an anthropomorphized chicken who still appears as the C on the logo. Chick - fil - A vigorously protects its intellectual property, sending cease and desist letters to those they think have infringed on their trademarks. The corporation has successfully protested at least 30 instances of the use of an `` eat more '' phrase, saying that the use would cause confusion of the public, dilute the distinctiveness of their intellectual property, and diminish its value. A 2011 letter to Vermont artist Bo Muller - Moore who screen prints T - shirts reading : `` Eat More Kale '' demanded that he cease printing the shirts and turn over his website. The incident drew criticism from Vermont governor Peter Shumlin, and has created backlash against what he termed Chick - fil - A 's `` corporate bullying. '' On December 11, 2014, Bo Muller - Moore announced that the U.S. Patent Office granted his application to trademark his `` Eat More Kale '' phrase. A formal announcement of his victory took place on December 12, 2014, with Shumlin and other supporters on the Statehouse steps. His public fight drew regional and national attention, the support of Shumlin, and a team of pro-bono law students from the University of New Hampshire legal clinic. After 22 years with The Richards Group, Chick - fil - A switched to McCann New York in 2016. Along with the cows, ads included famous people in history in a campaign called `` Chicken for Breakfast. It 's not as crazy as you think. '' Sponsored events Chick - fil - A Classic The Chick - fil - A Classic is a high school basketball tournament held in Columbia, South Carolina. The tournament is in its eighth year of operation and features nationally ranked players, and teams. The tournament is co-sponsored by the Greater Columbia Educational Advancement Foundation ( GCEAF ), which provides scholarships to high school seniors in the greater Columbia area. Chick - fil - A Peach Bowl The Chick - fil - A Peach Bowl is a college football bowl game played each year in Atlanta, Georgia. Chick - fil - A Kickoff Game The Chick - fil - A Kickoff Game is an annual early - season college football game played at the Mercedes - Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia ; before 2017, it was played at the Georgia Dome. It features two highly ranked teams, one of which has always been from the Southeastern Conference. In the 2012 season and again in the 2014 season, the event was expanded to two games. It will also be two games in 2017. Chick - fil - A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America The Chick - fil - A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is an annual charity motorcycle tour to raise money for, among other charities, Victory Junction, a camp for terminally ill children. Related restaurants The Hapeville Dwarf House Truett Cathy opened his first restaurant, The Dwarf Grill -- later renamed the Dwarf House -- in Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946, and developed the pressure - cooked chicken breast sandwich there. At the original Chick - fil - A Dwarf Grill, in addition to the full - size entrances, there is also an extra small - sized front door. The original Dwarf House in Hapeville, Georgia is open 24 hours a day, six days a week, except on Sundays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The store closes at 10 : 00 p.m. on Saturday nights, and the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas and reopens at 6 a.m. on Monday mornings and day after Thanksgiving and Christmas. It has a larger dine - in menu than the other Dwarf House locations as well as an animated seven dwarfs display in the back of the restaurant. It was across the street from the former Ford Motor Company factory called Atlanta Assembly. Dwarf House in Griffin, Georgia Dwarf House Truett 's original, full - service restaurants offer a substantial menu and provide customers a choice of table service, walk - up counter service or a drive - thru window. As of 2012, 13 Chick - fil - A Dwarf House restaurants were operating in the metro Atlanta area. Truett 's Grill in Griffin, Georgia Truett 's Grill In 1996, the first Truett 's Grill was opened in Morrow, Georgia. The second location opened in 2003 in McDonough, Georgia, and a third location opened in 2006 in Griffin, Georgia. Similar to the Chick - fil - A Dwarf Houses, these independently owned restaurants offer traditional, sit - down dining and expanded menu selections in a diner - themed dinner. In 2017, Chick - fil - A demolished several Dwarf House locations to replace them with Truett 's Grill locations. Note to editors there was actually a Truetts grill or maybe they called it a drawf house that opened up in Riverdale GA near the Krystal 's on the main highway ( 111 ? ) in 1988 or 1987. Corporate culture S. Truett Cathy was a devout Southern Baptist ; his religious beliefs had a major impact on the company. The company 's official statement of corporate purpose says that the business exists `` To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick - fil - A. '' Cathy 's beliefs are also responsible for one of the chain 's distinctive features : all Chick - fil - A locations ( corporate owned and franchised ) are closed on Sundays, as well as on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cathy states as the final step in his Five - Step recipe for Business Success `` I was not so committed to financial success that I was willing to abandon my principles and priorities. One of the most visible examples of this is our decision to close on Sunday. Our decision to close on Sunday was our way of honoring God and of directing our attention to things that mattered more than our business. '' In an interview with ABC News 's Nightline, Truett 's son Dan T. Cathy told reporter Vicki Mabrey that the company is also closed on Sundays because `` by the time Sunday came, he was just worn out. And Sunday was not a big trading day, anyway, at the time. So he was closed that first Sunday and we 've been closed ever since. He figured if he did n't like working on Sundays, that other people did n't either. '' The younger Cathy also quoted his father as saying, `` I do n't want to ask people to do that what I am not willing to do myself. '' Their website states, `` The Chick - fil - A culture and service tradition in our Restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect -- regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. '' Chick - fil - A 's reputation on being closed on Sundays extends to non-traditional locations. In addition to countless shopping malls and airports, a Chick - fil - A location at Mercedes - Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be closed on Sundays despite its main tenant, the Atlanta Falcons, playing most of their home games on Sundays. The location will be open when the Falcons have a Monday night or Thursday night home game, as well as non-Sunday home games of Atlanta United FC and other events at the stadium. On Sundays, the digital signs will be flipped and concessionaire Levy Restaurants will sell nonbranded food and drinks at the location. Same - sex marriage controversy Main article : Chick - fil - A same - sex marriage controversy The Chick - fil - A in Port Charlotte, Florida, on August 1, 2012 `` Chick - Fil - A Appreciation Day '' Protestors at Memphis, Tennessee, Chick - fil - A store on Same Sex Kiss Day In January 2011, the media reported that Chick - fil - A was co-sponsoring a marriage conference with the Pennsylvania Family Institute ( PFI ), an organization that has opposed same - sex marriage legislation. Chick - fil - A clarified that `` one of our independent Restaurant Operators in Pennsylvania was asked to provide sandwiches to two Art of Marriage video seminars ''. The WinShape Foundation, a charitable organization founded by Truett and his wife, also stated that it would not allow same - sex couples to participate in its marriage retreats. Chick - fil - A has donated over $5 million, via WinShape, to groups that oppose same - sex marriage. Of this, more than $3 million was donated primarily to Christian organizations whose agendas included positions that oppose same - sex marriage, with the money donated between 2003 and 2009. A total of $1.9 million was donated in 2010 to groups such as the Marriage & Family Foundation, Exodus International, and the Family Research Council ( FRC ). That year, the FRC, which received $1,000 was listed as an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. WinShape has also contributed to Christian groups including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Exodus International, the latter is noted for supporting ex-gay conversion therapy. In response, students at several colleges and universities worked to ban or remove the company 's restaurants from their campuses. On January 28, 2013, Shane L. Windmeyer, the leader of Campus Pride, suspended their campaign. In June and July 2012, Chick - fil - A 's chief operating officer Dan T. Cathy made several public statements about same - sex marriage, saying that those who `` have the audacity to define what marriage is about '' were `` inviting God 's judgment on our nation ''. Several prominent politicians expressed disapproval. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Chicago Alderman Proco `` Joe '' Moreno said they hoped to block franchise expansion into their areas. The proposed bans drew criticism from liberal pundits, legal experts, and the American Civil Liberties Union. The Jim Henson Company, which had a Pajanimals kids ' meal toy licensing arrangement with Chick - fil - A, said it would cease its business relationship, and donate the payment to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Chick - fil - A stopped distributing the toys, citing unrelated safety concerns that had arisen prior to the controversy. Chick - fil - A released a statement on July 31, 2012, saying, `` We are a restaurant company focused on food, service, and hospitality ; our intent is to leave the policy debate over same - sex marriage to the government and political arena. '' Response In response to the controversy, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee initiated a Chick - fil - A Appreciation Day movement to counter a boycott of Chick - fil - A launched by same - sex marriage activists. More than 600,000 people RSVPed on Facebook for Huckabee 's appreciation event. On August 1, Chick - fil - A restaurants experienced a large show of public support across the nation with the company reporting record - breaking sales. A consulting firm estimated that the average Chick - fil - A restaurant had 29.9 percent more sales and 367 more customers than it did on a typical Wednesday. Report of policy change In September 2012, The Civil Rights Agenda ( TCRA ) announced that Chick - fil - A had `` ceased donating to organizations that promote discrimination, specifically against LGBT civil rights. '' Chick - fil - A officials did state in an internal document that they `` will treat every person equally, regardless of sexual orientation. '' In a letter from Chick - fil - A 's Senior Director of Real Estate, the company states, `` The WinShape Foundation is now taking a much closer look at the organizations it considers helping, and in that process will remain true to its stated philosophy of not supporting organizations with political agendas. '' According to Chicago Alderman Proco `` Joe '' Moreno, Chick - fil - A has a statement of respect for all people regardless of sexual orientation in an internal document called Chick - fil - A : Who We Are. A document released by Chick - fil - A on September 20, 2012, does not mention any organizations opposed to same - sex marriage as being part of Chick - fil - A 's donation base. WinShape Marriage will continue to be supported financially, with a stated focus on couple retreats to strengthen marriages. Chick - fil - A in Hillsboro, Oregon According to Focus on the Family 's website, CitizenLink.com, `` Chick - fil - A and its charitable - giving arm, the WinShape Foundation, did not agree to stop making donations to groups that support the Biblical definition of marriage in exchange for being allowed to open a franchise in Chicago. '' Mike Huckabee stated that he `` talked earlier today personally with Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick Fil - A about the new reports that Chick Fil - A had capitulated to demands of the supporters of same sex marriage. This is not true. The company continues to focus on the fair treatment of all of its customers and employees, but to end confusion gave me this statement. '' The statement provided by Chick - fil - A was posted on Huckabee 's website. Recipe changes Though Chick - fil - A has always used trans - fat free processes in its chicken sandwiches, anticipating the dietary concerns of consumers, in 2008, it became the first fast - food restaurant to become completely trans - fat free. In 2011, food blogger and activist Vani Hari wrote a post titled `` Chick - fil - A or Chemical Fil - A ? '' on her website, FoodBabe.com. She noted that Chick - fil - A sandwiches contained nearly 100 ingredients, including peanut oil with TBHQ. In October 2012, Chick - fil - A invited Hari to meet with company executives at its Atlanta, GA headquarters. In December 2013, Chick - fil - A notified Hari that it had eliminated the dye Yellow No. 5 and had reduced the sodium content in its chicken soup. The company also said that it is testing a peanut oil that does not contain TBHQ and that it would start testing sauces and dressings made without high - fructose corn syrup in 2014. Plan to raise its chickens without antibiotics According to the Food and Drug Administration, antibiotics used in livestock, many of which are also used to treat humans, have contributed to the rise of dangerous bacteria. In December 2012, the FDA announced plans to phase out certain antibiotics in the food production industry. In February 2014, Chick - fil - A announced plans to serve chicken raised without antibiotics in its restaurants nationwide within five years. Chick - fil - A is the first quick service restaurant to set forth a plan and commit to serving only poultry raised without antibiotics. There have been no known protests from poultry farmers who support antibiotics. See also List of fast - food chicken restaurants Atlanta portal Business and economics portal Companies portal Food portal References Jump up ^ `` Company Fact Sheet ''. Chick - fil - A. Jump up ^ `` Company Fact Sheet ''. Chick - fil - A. Retrieved July 30, 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Company Fact Sheet ''. Chick - fil - A. Retrieved July 30, 2012. Headquarters Chick - fil - A, Inc. 5200 Buffington Road Atlanta, GA 30349 - 2998 Jump up ^ City Maps City of College Park ( Map ). City of College Park. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2009. ^ Jump up to : `` About Chick - fil - A ''. Chick - fil - A. Retrieved July 1, 2017. Jump up ^ Nickerson, Michelle & Dochuk, Darren ( 2011 ). Sunbelt Rising : The Politics of Place, Space, and Region. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 295. Retrieved November 1, 2011. Jump up ^ `` We Did n't Invent the Chicken, Just the Chicken Sandwich : Detailed trademark information from the official US federal trademark database ( USPTO ) ''. Markify. Retrieved November 1, 2011. Jump up ^ Grem, Darren ( March 8, 2012 ). `` The World of Chick - Fil - A and the Business of Sunbelt Evangelicalism ''. Southern Spaces. Emory University. Jump up ^ `` North Druid Hills FSU ''. Chick - fil - A. Jump up ^ Taylor, Kate ( August 10, 2015 ). `` The Country 's Largest Chick - fil - A Will Open in New York City in October ''. Entrepreneur ( magazine ). Jump up ^ `` Chick - fil - A opening its largest outpost in New York City ''. CBS News. October 2, 2015. Jump up ^ Odesser - Torpey, Marilyn. `` Reaching Out to NASCAR Nation ''. QSR. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Chick - fil - A, Dr Pepper Give Fans a Million Reasons to ' Eat Mor Chikin ' ''. SEC Sports News. ^ Jump up to : Robertson, Dylan ( May 29, 2014 ). `` U.S. fast - food chain Chick - fil - A opens Canadian franchise, talks down gay marriage controversy ''. Calgary Herald. Jump up ^ `` YYC > Traveller Info > Shopping, Dining & Services > Dining ''. www.yyc.com. Retrieved 2017 - 09 - 07. Jump up ^ `` Company Fact Sheet ''. Chick - fil - A. ^ Jump up to : Norman, Jan ( August 7, 2012 ). `` Franchises weather Chick - fil - A 's controversy ''. The Orange County Register. p. Business 2. Jump up ^ `` Chick - Fil - A Generates Most Revenue Per Restaurant In US ''. August 2, 2017. Jump up ^ `` The 2017 QSR 50 ''. Jump up ^ `` Why does Chick - fil - A use dairy cows on its advertising ? ''. Chick - fil - A. Retrieved November 13, 2015. Jump up ^ Collier, Joe Guy ( July 9, 2008 ). `` Dress - as - a-cow day reflects Chick - fil - A 's ' have fun ' culture ''. The Atlanta Journal - Constitution. Archived from the original on July 14, 2008. Jump up ^ Pedicini, Sandra ( May 13, 2010 ). `` Chick - fil - A cries fowl over Eat More Produce ''. Orlando Sentinel. Jump up ^ Ring, Wilson ( November 28, 2011 ). `` Eat more kale : A David vs. Goliath fight with Chick - fil - A ? ''. Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved December 4, 2011. Jump up ^ Carapezza, Kirk ( December 2, 2011 ). `` In Vermont, Fighting for the Rights To ' Eat More ' ''. Vermont Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011. Jump up ^ Bidgood, Jess ( December 4, 2011 ). `` Chicken Chain Says Stop, but T - Shirt Maker Balks ''. New York Times. Jump up ^ Ring, Wilson ( December 12, 2014 ). `` Man celebrates his new ' eat more kale ' trademark ''. WHDH. Archived from the original on December 12, 2014. Jump up ^ Wohl, Jessica ( August 1, 2016 ). `` No Sacred Cows : Why Chick - fil - A parted ways with The Richards Group after 22 years ''. Advertising Age. 87 ( 15 ) : 18 -- 20. Jump up ^ `` Welcome to 8th Annual Chick - Fil - A Classic.com ''. Chick-fil-aclassic.com. Retrieved June 18, 2010. Jump up ^ `` GCEAF ''. Chick - Fil - A Classic. Archived from the original on March 31, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Bovino, Arthur ( May 23, 2011 ). `` Sandwich of the Week : Dwarf House Chick - fil - A, The Dwarf House in Atlanta -- the original Chick - fil - A ''. The Daily Meal. Retrieved November 3, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Truett 's Grill ''. Truettsgrill.com. Retrieved June 18, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Chick - fil - A : Truett 's Grill -- Griffin ''. Cfarestaurant.com. Retrieved June 18, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Chick - fil - A : Truett 's Grill -- McDonough ''. Cfarestaurant.com. Retrieved June 18, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Chick - fil - A : Truett 's Grill -- Morrow ''. Cfarestaurant.com. Retrieved June 18, 2010. Jump up ^ Campbell, Sarah Ray ( April 1, 2017 ). `` Chick - fil - A explains changes ''. The Newnan Times - Herald. Retrieved August 15, 2017. Jump up ^ Reports, Staff ( May 16, 2017 ). `` Chick - Fil - A Dwarf House to be Demolished, Popeyes Set to be Burger King ''. Coosa Valley News. Retrieved August 15, 2017. Jump up ^ `` The World 's Billionaires, No. 655 S. Truett Cathy ''. Forbes. March 10, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Executive Biographies : Dan T. Cathy, President and Chief Operating Officer ''. Chick - fil - A. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Chick - fil - A 's Closed - on - Sunday Policy '' ( PDF ) ( Press release ). Chick - fil - A. 2009. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on September 29, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Chick - fil - A ''. Chick - fil - A. Archived from the original on June 1, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010. Jump up ^ `` About Truett ''. truettcathy.com. Retrieved May 26, 2009. Jump up ^ Mabrey, Vicki & Marsh, Mary ( September 23, 2009 ). `` Nightline ( ABC - TV ) presents : Chik - fil - A Wins Customers... by closing ''. ABC News. Retrieved September 19, 2010. Jump up ^ `` FAQs : Current News ''. Chick - fil - A. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Jump up ^ Wagner - McGough, Sean ( August 16, 2017 ). `` The Falcons ' billion - dollar stadium will have a Chick - fil - A that 's almost never open ''. CBS Sports. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Chick - fil - A defends its values ''. Atlanta Business Chronicle. January 31, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Metro Weekly ''. Metro Weekly. January 4, 2011. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Pennsylvania Family Institute Mission Statement ''. Pennsylvania Family Institute. Retrieved June 27, 2011. Jump up ^ Ocamb, Karen ( September 26, 2010 ). `` Evaluating the amicus brief avalanche of anti-gay opposition to the Prop 8 trial decision ''. Prop 8 Trial Tracker. Courage Campaign Institute. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Scolforo, Mark ( December 23, 2010 ). `` Without state law, Pa. towns tackle anti-gay bias ''. Delaware County Daily Times. Associated Press. Jump up ^ `` Chick - fil - A Facebook Page ''. Facebook. January 6, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2012. Jump up ^ McWhirter, Cameron ( July 27, 2012 ). `` Chick - fil - A 's Long Christian Heritage ''. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 31, 2012. Jump up ^ Ward, Alex ( July 23, 2012 ). `` The Muppets cut ties with Chick - Fil - A restaurant after president 's anti-gay marriage comments ''. The Daily Mail. London. Retrieved August 22, 2012. The company, founded in 1946 by Cathy 's father, S. Truett Cathy, has also come under fire for donating more than $3 million between 2003 and 2009 to Christian organisations with a well - known anti-gay agenda, among them the Marriage & Family Foundation and the Family Research Council. ^ Jump up to : McWhirter, Cameron ( July 27, 2012 ). `` Chick - fil - A 's Long Christian Heritage ''. Wall Street Journal. ^ Jump up to : `` Form 990 - PF : Return of Private Foundation '' ( PDF ). WinShape Foundation. Guidestar. 2010. ^ Jump up to : Devaney, Tim & Stein, Tom ( November 8, 2011 ). `` Chick - fil - A Increases Donations to Anti-Gay Groups ''. AllBusiness.com. ^ Jump up to : Winters, Rosemary ( November 10, 2011 ). `` Sugar House protesters say Chick - fil - A is anti-gay ''. The Salt Lake Tribune. ^ Jump up to : Michelson, Noah ( November 1, 2011 ). `` Chick - Fil - A Fast Food Chain Donated Nearly $2 Million To Anti-Gay Groups in 2009 ''. The Huffington Post. ^ Jump up to : Ward, Alex ( July 23, 2012 ). `` The Muppets cut ties with Chick - Fil - A restaurant after president 's anti-gay marriage comments ''. The Daily Mail. London. Retrieved July 24, 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Chick - Fil - A Donated Nearly $2 Million To Anti-Gay Groups in 2010 ''. Equality Matters. July 2, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Boucly, Chris ( July 24, 2012 ). `` Gay youths plan protest against Chick - fil - A ''. The Orange County Register. Retrieved July 26, 2012. $3.84 million was contributed primarily to Christian organizations such as the Marriage and Family Foundation, which received $1.18 million, and the Family Research Council, which received $1,000. The Family Research Council `` believes that homosexual conduct is harmful to the persons who engage in it and to society at large, '' according to its Web site. The Marriage and Family Foundation, whose chairman is Chick - fil - A senior vice president Donald Cathy, gave grants totaling $639,000 to six organizations that support strong traditional marriages and families. ^ Jump up to : O'Connor, Clare ( August 3, 2012 ). `` Meet The Cathys : Your Guide To The Billionaires Behind Chick - fil - A ''. The billionaire beat : wealth, entrepreneurs and money in politics. Forbes. Retrieved August 7, 2012. WinShape is the vehicle through which Chick - fil - A, and by extension the Cathys, have made about $5 million of donations to anti-gay marriage groups since 2003, with $1.9 million of that donated in 2010 to outfits including the Family Research Council and Marriage & Family Foundation. They 've written checks to Exodus International, which is famous for `` ex-gay '' conversion therapy, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, whose website includes a testimonial from a coach `` delivered '' from homosexuality. Jump up ^ `` Hate Map - Southern Poverty Law Center ''. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved August 13, 2012. Jump up ^ Shapiro, Lila ( August 3, 2012 ). `` Chick - fil - A Kiss - Ins Divide LGBT Movement ''. Huffington Post. Retrieved October 23, 2015. Jump up ^ Lengell, Sean ( November 24, 2010 ). `` Family Research Council labeled a ' hate group ' ''. The Washington Times. Retrieved August 10, 2012. Jump up ^ Dutton, Nick ( August 18, 2012 ). `` Shooting sparks controversy over ' hate ' designation for conservative group ''. WTVR - TV. Retrieved August 18, 2012. The SPLC says the conservative Washington policy group is listed as a hate group because `` it has knowingly spread false and denigrating propaganda '' about lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people. Jump up ^ Windmeyer, Shane L. ( January 28, 2013 ). `` Dan and Me : My Coming Out as a Friend of Dan Cathy and Chick - fil - A ''. Huffington Post. Retrieved October 23, 2015. Jump up ^ Schlanger, Zoë ( March 5, 2012 ). `` NYU Decided To Keep `` Homophobic '' Chick - fil - A Long Before Petition Launched ``. NYU Local. Jump up ^ Rocheleau, Matt ( February 28, 2012 ). `` Northeastern cancels Chick - fil - A plans after student group denounces chain ''. Boston Globe. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Starnes, Todd ( July 25, 2012 ). `` Rahm : `` Chick - fil - A Values Are Not Chicago Values '' ``. Fox News Radio. Retrieved July 26, 2012. Jump up ^ Collier, Myles ( July 18, 2012 ). `` Chick - fil - A President Says ' God 's Judgment ' Coming Because of Same - Sex Marriage ''. The Christian Post. Retrieved July 26, 2012. I think we are inviting God 's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, ' We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage '. I pray God 's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about. Jump up ^ `` What Dan Cathy said ''. The Atlanta Journal - Constitution. July 26, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2012. Jump up ^ Blume, K. Allan ( July 2, 2012 ). `` ' Guilty as charged, ' Dan Cathy says of Chick - fil - A 's stand on faith ''. Biblical Recorder. Cary, NC. North Carolina Baptist State Convention. Retrieved July 22, 2012. as an organization we can operate on biblical principles. Jump up ^ Hsu, Tiffany ( July 18, 2012 ). `` Is Chick - fil - A anti-gay marriage ? ' Guilty as charged, ' leader says ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Lopez, Ricardo ( July 26, 2012 ). `` San Francisco is the third city to tell Chick - fil - A : Keep out ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2012. Jump up ^ Turner, Greg ( July 20, 2012 ). `` Mayor Menino on Chick - fil - A : Stuff it ''. The Boston Herald. Retrieved July 21, 2012. Chick - fil - A does n't belong in Boston. You ca n't have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population. We 're an open city, we 're a city that 's at the forefront of inclusion... That 's the Freedom Trail. That 's where it all started right here. And we 're not going to have a company, Chick - fil - A or whatever the hell the name is, on our Freedom Trail. Jump up ^ Menino, Thomas M. ( July 20, 2012 ). `` Mayor 's letter to Chick - fil - A ''. The Boston Herald. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2012. Jump up ^ Dardick, Hal ( July 25, 2012 ). `` Alderman to Chick - fil - A : No deal ''. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 26, 2012. Jump up ^ Drum, Kevin ( July 26, 2012 ). `` Rahm Emanuel Needs to Back Off on Chick - fil - A ''. Mother Jones. Retrieved July 26, 2012. Jump up ^ Edward, McClelland ( July 26, 2012 ). `` Conservatives and Liberals Defend Chick - fil - A ''. WMAQ - TV. Retrieved July 26, 2012. Jump up ^ Miller, Joshua Rhett ( July 26, 2012 ). `` Legal eagles cry fowl over politicians ' plans to block Chick - fil - A ''. Fox News. Retrieved July 26, 2012. Jump up ^ Rose, Annie ( July 25, 2012 ). Chick - fil - A Backlash : Politicians, Muppets Respond. ABC News. Retrieved July 28, 2012. Jump up ^ Lendon, Brad ( July 24, 2012 ). `` Henson, Huckabee take sides in Chick - fil - A same - sex marriage controversy ''. CNN. Retrieved July 28, 2012. Jump up ^ Hsu, Tiffany ( July 28, 2012 ). `` Chick - fil - A 's PR chief dies suddenly amid gay - marriage imbroglio ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2012. Jump up ^ Bartkewicz, Anthony ( July 25, 2012 ). `` Coincidence ? Chick - Fil - A pulls Jim Henson toys ''. New York Daily News. Retrieved July 30, 2012. Jump up ^ Robinson, Steve ( July 31, 2012 ). `` Chick - fil - A Response to Recent Controversy ''. Chick - fil - A ( Press release ). Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Bingham, Amy ( August 1, 2012 ). `` Chick - Fil - A Supporters Gather for Appreciation Day ''. ABC News. Retrieved August 17, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Hsu, Tiffany ( August 1, 2012 ). `` Chick - fil - A fans and critics take to the streets ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 17, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Holpuch, Amanda ( August 1, 2012 ). `` Chick - fil - A appreciation day brings huge crowds to fast - food chain Life and style ``. The Guardian. London. Retrieved August 17, 2012. Jump up ^ Wong, Curtis ( September 19, 2012 ). `` Chick - Fil - A Agrees To Cease Funding To Anti-Gay Organizations, Chicago LGBT Group Claims ''. Huffington Post. Retrieved September 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Voorhees, Josh ( September 19, 2012 ). `` Chick - Fil - A Is Done Fighting Gay Marriage. Kind Of, Maybe ''. The Slatest. Slate. Retrieved September 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Dardick, Hal ( September 19, 2012 ). `` Moreno relents, will allow Chick - fil - A ''. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. Retrieved September 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Hannah, Amanda ( September 20, 2012 ). `` Chick - fil - A : Who We Are '' ( PDF ). Chick - fil - A. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015. Jump up ^ Dial, Karla ( September 20, 2012 ). `` Chick - fil - A Sets the Record Straight ''. CitizenLink. Focus on the Family. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012. Jump up ^ Weinger, Mackenzie ( September 21, 2012 ). `` Mike Huckabee : Chick - fil - A has n't changed ''. Politico. Retrieved September 22, 2012. Jump up ^ Huckabee, Mike ( September 21, 2012 ). `` Chick fil - A Statement ''. Mike Huckabee News ( blog ). Mike Huckabee. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012. Jump up ^ `` No Trans Fats on Chick - fil - A Menu ''. Quick Serve Restaurant. 24 ( 10 ). October 9, 2008. Jump up ^ Choi, Candice ( December 3, 2013 ). `` Chick - Fil - A Removing Artificial Dye, High Fructose Corn Syrup ''. Huffington Post. Retrieved February 12, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Strom, Stephanie ( December 31, 2013 ). `` Social Media as a Megaphone to Pressure the Food Industry ''. New York Times. Retrieved February 12, 2014. Jump up ^ Landau, Elizabeth ( February 12, 2014 ). `` Chick - fil - A to serve antibiotic - free chicken ''. CNN. Retrieved February 13, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Chick - fil - A to Serve Antibiotic - Free Chicken ''. Restaurant News. February 11, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014. External links Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Fast food in North America. 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AGCO ( Duluth ) American Megatrends ( Gwinnett County ) Arby 's ( Sandy Springs ) AT&T Mobility Atlanta Bread Company ( Smyrna ) Atlanta Gas Light BellSouth Chick - fil - A ( College Park ) Church 's Chicken ( Sandy Springs ) Coca - Cola Cox Enterprises Delta Air Lines EarthLink Equifax ExpressJet ( College Park ) Georgia Natural Gas Georgia - Pacific Georgia Power Holiday Inn Holiday Inn Express The Home Depot ( Cobb County ) Hooters Intercontinental Exchange Krystal Kool Smiles ( Marietta ) Merial ( Duluth ) NCR Corporation ( Gwinnett County ) Newell Brands Popeyes ( Sandy Springs ) RaceTrac Rheem Scientific Atlanta ( Lawrenceville ) Simmons Bedding Company Southern Company SunTrust Banks Turner Broadcasting System United Parcel Service ( Sandy Springs ) Waffle House ( Gwinnett County ) The Weather Channel ( Cobb County ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chick-fil-A&oldid=802360648 '' Categories : Chick - fil - A Companies based in Fulton County, Georgia Fast - food chains of the United States Fast - food poultry restaurants Hapeville, Georgia Opposition to same - sex marriage Economy of the Southeastern United States Privately held companies based in Georgia ( U.S. state ) Restaurants established in 1946 1946 establishments in Georgia ( U.S. state ) Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from July 2016 Wikipedia introduction cleanup from March 2017 All pages needing cleanup Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from March 2017 All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify Use mdy dates from August 2017 Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2012 All articles containing potentially dated statements Talk Contents About Wikipedia አማርኛ Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Español فارسی Français 한국어 Íslenska Italiano Latina Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk Português Русский Shqip Simple English Suomi Svenska తెలుగు ไทย Українська Tiếng Việt Edit links This page was last edited on 25 September 2017, at 17 : 52. 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Question: where does the name chick fil a come from
Answer: a play on the American English pronunciation of "fillet"