Posted on 04/04/2014 10:45:42 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Despite having fewer stores, which are also closed on Sundays so employees can spend time with their families and attend church, Chick-fil-A has taken KFC's crown as the leader in the U.S. chicken fast-food industry.
A Yahoo! Finance report noted that YUM! Brands, which owns KFC, removed the phrase from the company's latest annual report that once described KFC as "the leader in the U.S. chicken [quick-service restaurant] segment."
That title, says food industry researcher Technomic, now belongs to the worshipful Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A because its locations do more business than KFC restaurants, according to The Associated Press.
While KFC still remains much bigger than Chick-fil-A globally, Chick-fil-A has been leading KFC since 2012.
Chick-fil-A reportedly had 1,775 locations and pulled in $5.05 billion in sales last year, according to Technomic. KFC had 4,438 stores that pulled in $4.22 billion in U.S. sales.
Most of Chick-fil-A's restaurants are located in the South and the company has attracted a very loyal following for its chicken sandwiches.
The company notes on its website that a part of its recipe for success involves not doing business on Sundays.
"Our founder, Truett Cathy, made the decision to close on Sundays in 1946 when he opened his first restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia. He has often shared that his decision was as much practical as spiritual," said the company. "He believes that all franchised Chick-fil-A operators and their restaurant employees should have an opportunity to rest, spend time with family and friends, and worship if they choose to do so. That's why all Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Sundays. It's part of our recipe for success."
A representative from the company told the AP that Chick-fil-A was "deeply grateful" for its loyal customers. They also intend on expanding into new markets.
Rick Maynard, a KFC spokesman, said, the chain "has seen a lot of competitors come and go since 1952," when it first opened.
"Colonel Sanders wasn't afraid of a little competition then, and we still welcome it today," he said.
Chick-fil-A has thrived despite efforts from LGBT activists who attempted to boycott the franchise over comments made by the company's president, Dan Cathy, supporting traditional marriage.
KFC chicken is crap compared to what it was 10 or 20 yrs ago.
I can”t even eat it these days.
The CFA Chicken is substantially better, but the morality counts a lot, too.
The employees in the last KFC I went into looked scary as hell. The woman who took our order had a giant tattoo on her neck and on her hands. That’s the last time I ate at a KFC.
Plus most KFC stores are dirty and poorly mand poorly managed and staffed, while Chik Fil A always has an excellent presentation and customer experience
CFA chicken is better and their stores are cleaner.
Yesterday, one opened by my house! I used to eat there all the time when I was in college in Texas in the 80’s. They are now opening them in Northern California!
It was very busy yesterday!
I got the KFC shut down where I live.
Idiots kept ripping people off on their orders.
Nothing major was ever screwed up but it was always some two bit nothing, just enough to make it more expensive to go back and correct the order than it was worth.
After I got an order with nothing but crumbs for biscuits in a bag that looked like something pulled from the garbage, I called corporate headquarters.
Less than 2 months later they were closed.
There are no bargains at Chick-Fil-A, that’s a big part of it. I’m comfortable saying there are very few ways to get more than a snack for less than ten bucks. They’re serving a different clientele.
Love that chicken from Popeyes!
That’s not true, I routinely order a #4 Combo, large, for seven dollars and change. That’s a spicey chicken filet sandwich with pepperjack cheese, large side of waffle fries and large beverage, with two packs of Chick-fil-A sauce, one for the sandwich and one for the fries. It’s no more than a comparable order would be at other fast food places, better food, better environment, service with a smile, premises are clean.
AND they give away stuff to charity all the time. Every year our boys were in high school, the football team sold discount cards that had a Chick fil A deal on it for a free chicken sandwich. We purchased a lot of chicken sandwiches those years and received a lot free. The KFC deal on the same card was a rip off. Our little ones always come home with coupons for free things from Chick fil A as well.
They’re using crap birds.
I agree. KFC isn’t what it once was by a long shot. The quality of the food seems to have dropped, and they have the same employee problems as others in the fast food industry. Visit a KFC or McDonalds in Japan and note the differences between them and US-based outlets. They’re stark.
I’m telling you, not only are the Japanese ones much cleaner in appearance, the employees are dressed sharply, treat you like you’re a valued customer, and the food actually tastes better. A big Mac in the US? Bland. A big Mac in Japan? Tasty. Don’t ask me why.
I think Chick-fil-A is cleaning KFC’s clock for similar reasons. The food seems fresher, the employees are generally friendlier, cleaner, sharper dressed, and polite, and the stores seem cleaner/better kempt. I also like the idea that Chick-fil-A is on my side in the culture wars.
Bush’s chicken is light years better than KFC. Besides KFC is a Pepsico company and I don’t give them my cash.
The other problem with KFC is they have the most overpriced chicken on the planet. Ridiculous what they charge but people still pay it.
Here in Atlanta CFLA employees can’t even wear green eyeshadow or have any face piercings.
Does CFA serve only chicken sandwiches, or also pieces of cooked chicken (breasts/thighs/drumsticks) like KFC? There is currently no CFA in my area.
Chick-fil-A is great. Not just the food. They actually give a crap about customer service. I am always greeted with a smile and feel like I’m talking to human beings. Even in the malls, the employees walk around and ask if everything is okay and if you need anything. And the kids always get a little book or something. Americans don’t get customer service any more but this is one of the few bright spots. Just wish there was one closer to me.
I can”t even eat it these days.
Crap service along with mystery pieces of chicken have really taken their toll. I mean I remember when you could pretty well tell where each piece came from on the chicken and they always threw in that piece of chicken butt. Now I think they just toss the chicken to a nut with a machete to be cut up.
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