Despite Attempts to Drive Them out of Business, Chick-Fil-A to become 3rd Largest Restaurant Chain

nteb ^ | 5/18/19 | Geoffrey Grider

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Chick-Fil-A to Become Third-Largest Fast Food Chain in U.S. FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: As the biggest fast-food chains have expanded menus to attract new customers, Chick-fil-A Inc. has gained ground with a different strategy: its focus on chicken sandwiches.

Since its founding in Atlanta in 1967 by entrepreneur Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s signature item has been its breaded chicken-breast sandwich served with pickles on a buttered toasted bun. The company sells breakfast and salads, too, but its relatively simple menu stands out, compared with its fast-food rivals.

Now five decades later, the closely held company this year is poised to become the third-biggest U.S. restaurant chain by sales behind McDonald’s Corp. MCD -0.39% and Starbucks Corp. , according to food-service consultancy Technomic Inc. The growth reflects Chick-fil-A’s expansion over the past decade, as well as consumers’ broader turn toward chicken.

“WE’VE BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT IN HOW, OVER MULTIPLE DECADES, WE’RE GOING TO TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY,” MARK MORAITAKIS, A CHICK-FIL-A SENIOR DIRECTOR, SAID ABOUT THE COMPANY’S EXPANSION. “IT’S PAID OFF FOR US.”

Sales from Chick-fil-A’s restaurants have tripled over the past decade, reaching $10.2 billion last year, Technomic said, even though the chain is closed on Sundays, a practice implemented by its conservative Christian founder.

[Pontiac]

They are good. Made fresh!

[PittsburghAfterDark]

Okay I really hate to nit pick here but happy, polite and professional these days mean pretty good food can deserve and earn a premium.

I have never run into quality control issues at a Chik Fil A.

In the past year I have received a whole lime end on a chicken sandwich at McDonald’s. Ends of peppers on salads etc. Stuff like that should never hit a customer’s table.

I have grown so tired of the 1+ hour old hamburgers that are luke warm, fries that are more like paste or gelatin with no taste and Coke machines that are too much soda, too much syrup or flat. Taking 2 kids out may cost $20 no matter where you go for fast food but only one place earns consistent marks.

[morphing libertarian]

zaklee

[lodi90]

Congratulations to Chick Fil A. Never been to one of their restaurants.

---

You ain’t missing much. Been one time and didn’t get the hype. No desire to go back. Although, I am happy they are succeeding in the face of goonish leftist pressure.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

+ 1 million

And always serve your customers with a smile!

[Roman_War_Criminal]

That’s true, but McDonald’s is more of a real estate company than in the restaurant business. It’s been that way since the days of Ray Croc.

[sparklite2]

unclenym

[WWG1WWA]

So happy to read this. I wish there was one near me. I’d love to support them.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

BTW, I’ve seen Mark Maraitakis speak at one of my Team Building meetings way back. The man is a most wonderful Christian with a heart filled with service & commitment.

He’s actually one of the few speakers I ever saw that left me amazed. I can’t say that about even one politician - even PDJT.

[Always A Marine]

Congratulations to Chick Fil A. Never been to one of their restaurants. They just aren’t around here, but from what I’ve known about Chick Fil A I’ve always supported their efforts with good thoughts, good wishes, and prayers.

Hey, fellow horse guy. Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga are probably the closest Chick-fil-A restaurants to you, so try them out if you find yourself close. I bet you'll like the sandwich and the service.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

It is - but my gosh have you seen the price lately?

[wally_bert]

The one by me always has very high traffic. Good place.

I go every so often since I am trying to cut the processed chow.

[sparklite2]

I only buy the burgers. Their prices for fries and drinks are outrageous.

[Dr. Sivana]

That’s true, but McDonald’s is more of a real estate company than in the restaurant business. It’s been that way since the days of Ray Croc.

I'm familiar with that aspect, and in some ways Stan Kroenke's fortune (billionaire owner of the Rams) was derived from increased real estate values stemming from access to develop land near new Wal-marts.

But however McDonald's makes its money, you cannot pretend it wasn't a trailblazer in the food industry.

McDonald's was already the most successful operation when it added 30% revenue by adding breakfast. The Egg McMuffin IMMEDIATELY spawned imitators from mom and pop places, and from Burger King's own breakfast menu.

McNuggets created a staple with variants on school cafeteria menus, your grocer's freezer, and most kids' menus in fast casual and diner type restaurants.

McDonald's generated an unsurpassed efficiency in its drive-throughs (almost matched by Chick-Fil-A's) which mow generate 60% of store revenues.

If McDonald's didn't innovate, adapt and run things the way they had, the real estate would not have been nearly so valuable. Also, now that the stores are near saturation (at least stateside), it is even more important to maintain the value proposition of McDonald's as a safe bet, especially with the competition from all directions.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

I’ll skip fries & coke next time. The hot dogs are the best I’ve ever had at a fast food joint however.

[hoagy62]

In 2016, the average per-store revenue for a Chick-fil-A was $4.4 million dollars, according to QSR Magazine. That makes them #1 ahead of everyone...including McDonald’s.

It’s not just the team members the company invests in. The people that run each store have to go through a rigorous process to be selected as an owner-operator. There’s quite a few of them who are ex-military.

And Liz...our store started selling the Peach milkshakes today. You’re welcome ( or actually, “My pleasure” ).

[Roman_War_Criminal]

All well stated on what you posted. I can’t for the life of me see how their stock has gone up so much in the past 15 years or so.
Their menu is a bit dated, even for today IMHO. They were smart to make breakfast an all day offering. Especially for those of us who like biscuits and mcmuffins at 3pm with fries.

McDonalds Corporate (and Franchise Owners) really need to work on customer service and attitudes for their employees however. It makes me pass them by half the time.

[sparklite2]

I’ve been considering hot dogs, but wanted
a chili dog. I’ll give them a try. Thanks.

[A_Former_Democrat]

As Christians, we will only fast food @ CFA or In And Out

No reason to do much FF, so when we do, its Christian only

This started in 2012 with the failed CFA boycott. It alerted us to CFA, never before patronized.

BUYcott. Yeah, baby.

[Dr. Sivana]

McDonalds Corporate (and Franchise Owners) really need to work on customer service and attitudes for their employees however. It makes me pass them by half the time.

Ray Kroc would have never let the service and CLEANLINESS standards slip like McDonald's Corp. has. Chick-Fil-A is EXTREMELY particular about who is allowed to run a restaurant. It makes the 32nd degree Freemasons look like a local basketball pickup game.