page_title: Chick-fil-A
section_title: Business model
hierarchical_section_title: Chick-fil-A / Business model
caption_attribution_description: English: Chick-fil-A in Hillsboro, Oregon, which formerly housed a Newport Bay restaurant. This location was the first in Oregon in over a decade and opened in March 2016.
context_page_description: Chick-fil-A is one of the largest American fast food restaurant chains and the largest whose specialty is chicken sandwiches. Its headquarters is in College Park, Georgia. Chick-fil-A was originally founded as the Dwarf Grill in 1946, changing the name to 'Dwarf House' until rebranding as Chick-fil-A in 1967. The company operates more than 2,605 restaurants, primarily in the United States with locations in 48 states. The restaurant serves breakfast before transitioning to its lunch and dinner menu. Chick-fil-A also offers customers catered selections from its menu for special events.
  Many of the company's values are influenced by the religious beliefs of its late founder, S. Truett Cathy, a devout Southern Baptist. All Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed for business on Sundays, as well as on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The company's varying stance often in opposition to same-sex marriage has been the subject of public controversy, though the company has begun loosening its stance on this issue.
context_section_description: Chick-fil-A's business strategy involves a focus on a simple menu and on good customer service.  While other fast food chains often expand their menu offerings to attempt to attract new customers, Chick-fil-A's business model is to remain focused on chicken sandwiches. The name capital A is meant to indicate that their chicken is "grade A top quality". In addition, an emphasis on customer service has allowed Chick-fil-A to consistently lead the fast food industry in customer satisfaction. These factors are seen as the reason for Chick-fil-A's growth and expansion in the United States.
  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. Each operator is handpicked and goes through a rigorous training program; the interviews plus training can take months and is not an easy process. Chick-fil-A states on their site:
  "This is not the right opportunity for you if you:
  Are seeking a passive investment in a business.
  Want to sell property to Chick-fil-A, Inc.
  Are requesting that Chick-fil-A, Inc. build at a specified location.
  Are seeking multi-unit franchise opportunities."
  Chick-fil-A grossed an average of $4.8 million per restaurant in 2016 (Whataburger was second with $2.7 million per restaurant).
caption: Chick-fil-A in Hillsboro, Oregon, formerly a Newport Bay restaurant. This unit opened in March 2016 and was the first in Oregon to open in over a decade
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