:Chick-fil-A

File:Chick-fil-A Corporate HQ - Entrance.JPG]]

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 in the Atlanta suburb of Hapeville, Georgia.{{cite web |url=http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Company/Highlights-Fact-Sheets |title=Company Fact Sheet |website=Chick-fil-A |date=n.d. |author= |access-date=July 30, 2012 |quote=Headquarters Chick-fil-A, Inc. 5200 Buffington Road Atlanta, GA 30349-2998 |archive-date=November 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111005433/http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Company/Highlights-Fact-Sheets |url-status=live }} The original store was located near the Ford Motor Company Atlanta Assembly Plant, a source of many of the restaurant's patrons for years. It was later remodeled, reopening in 2022.{{cite news |title=Chick-fil-A's original Georgia restaurant reopens in Hapeville |url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/chick-fil-a-dwarf-house-reopens-in-hapeville |access-date=May 15, 2024 |work=Tomorrow's News Today |date=February 17, 2022}}

In 1961, after 15 years in the fast-food business, Cathy found a pressure fryer that could cook a chicken sandwich at the same time it took to cook a hamburger.{{cite book |last1=Nickerson |first1=Michelle |title=Sunbelt Rising: The Politics of Place, Space, and Region |year=2011 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |page=295 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ySPdXiVbsakC&pg=PA295 |first2=Darren |last2=Dochuk |name-list-style=amp |access-date=November 1, 2011 |isbn=978-0812243093 |archive-date=January 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101070211/http://books.google.com/books?id=ySPdXiVbsakC&pg=PA295 |url-status=live }} Following this discovery, he registered the name Chick-fil-A, Inc. The company's trademarked slogan, "We Didn't Invent the Chicken, Just the Chicken Sandwich,"{{cite web |title=We Didn't Invent the Chicken, Just the Chicken Sandwich: Detailed trademark information from the official US federal trademark database (USPTO) |url=http://trademark.markify.com/trademarks/uspto/we+didn%27t+invent+the+chicken%2C+just+the+chicken+sandwich/74702997 |publisher=Markify |date=n.d.|author= |access-date=November 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112040230/http://trademark.markify.com/trademarks/uspto/we+didn%27t+invent+the+chicken%2C+just+the+chicken+sandwich/74702997 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |url-status=dead}} refers to their flagship menu item, the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich. Though Chick-fil-A was the first national chain to make a fast, fried chicken sandwich its flagship item, it has been shown that Cathy's claim to have "invented the chicken sandwich" is false.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ebony.com/life/chick-fil-a-origin/ |title=[Hungry for History] Chick-Fil-A Didn't Create the Fried Chicken Sandwich |work=Ebony |date=August 23, 2019 |access-date=June 8, 2021 |archive-date=August 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831090558/https://www.ebony.com/life/chick-fil-a-origin/ |url-status=live }}

From 1964 to 1967, the sandwich was licensed to over fifty eateries, including Waffle House and the concession stands of the new Houston Astrodome.{{cite book |last1=McConnell |first1=Akila Sankar |title=A Culinary History of Atlanta |year=2019 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |page=114 |isbn=9781467141239 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xwuUDwAAQBAJ}}{{cite book |last1=Robinson |first1=Steve |title=Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A: How Faith, Cows, and Chicken Built an Iconic Brand |year=2019 |publisher=Thomas Nelson |page=13 |isbn=9781400213191 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jhx5DwAAQBAJ |access-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207212222/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Covert_Cows_and_Chick_fil_A/Jhx5DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |url-status=live }} The Chick-Fil-A sandwich was withdrawn from sale at other restaurants when the first dedicated location opened in 1967, in the food court of the Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta.

The chain expanded in the 1970s and early 1980s by opening new locations in suburban malls' food courts.{{cite journal |first=Darren |last=Grem |title=The World of Chick-Fil-A and the Business of Sunbelt Evangelicalism |journal=Southern Spaces |date=March 8, 2012 |doi=10.18737/M7QW2S |url=http://www.southernspaces.org/2012/world-chick-fil-and-business-sunbelt-evangelicalism |doi-access=free |access-date=August 2, 2012 |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729060506/http://southernspaces.org/2012/world-chick-fil-and-business-sunbelt-evangelicalism |url-status=live }} The first freestanding location was opened April 16, 1986, on North Druid Hills Road in Atlanta, Georgia,{{cite web |url=http://www.chick-fil-a.com/northdruidhills |title=North Druid Hills FSU |website=Chick-fil-A |date=n.d. |author= |access-date=January 5, 2016 |archive-date=November 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123194335/http://www.chick-fil-a.com/northdruidhills |url-status=live }} and the company began to focus more on stand-alone units rather than food courts. Although it has expanded outward from its original geographic base, most new restaurants are located in suburban areas of the Southern US.

Since 1997, the Atlanta-based company has sponsored the Peach Bowl, an annual college football bowl game played in Atlanta on New Year's Eve. Chick-fil-A also sponsors the Southeastern Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference of college athletics.{{cite news |last=Odesser-Torpey |first=Marilyn |date=n.d. |title=Reaching Out to NASCAR Nation |magazine=QSR |url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/features/97/nascar-2.phtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028205943/http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/features/97/nascar-2.phtml |archive-date=October 28, 2007}}

In 2008, Chick-fil-A was among the first fast-food restaurants to become completely free of trans fats.{{cite news |title=No Trans Fats on Chick-fil-A Menu |magazine=Quick Serve Restaurant |date=October 9, 2008 |volume=24 |issue=10 |url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/no-trans-fats-chick-fil-menu |author= |access-date=March 18, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402183727/http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/no-trans-fats-chick-fil-menu |url-status=live }}

In October 2015, the company opened its largest restaurant, a three-story {{convert|5,000|ft2|m2}} restaurant in Manhattan.{{cite news |title=The Country's Largest Chick-fil-A Will Open in New York City in October |magazine=Entrepreneur |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/249397 |first=Kate |last=Taylor |date=August 10, 2015 |access-date=August 21, 2015 |archive-date=August 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813154516/http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/249397 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/southern-franchise-chick-fil-a-opens-largest-restaurant-in-new-york-city/ |title=Chick-fil-A opening its largest outpost in New York City |publisher=CBS News |date=October 2, 2015 |author= |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416222417/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/southern-franchise-chick-fil-a-opens-largest-restaurant-in-new-york-city/ |url-status=live }}

File:Chick-fil-A Sauce Sign at Spotsylvania Towne Centre.jpg Chick-fil-A location in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Chick-fil-A Sauce was invented at this location in 1983.{{cite web|url=https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/food/serendipitous-sauce-the-chick-fil-a-sauce-story|title=Serendipitous Sauce: The Chick-fil-A Sauce Story|date=June 23, 2015|website=Chick-fil-A|language=en|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=March 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325192940/https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/food/serendipitous-sauce-the-chick-fil-a-sauce-story|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fredericksburg.com/discover/discover-magazine-chick-fil-a-s-most-popular-sauce-originated/article_16df06d0-6d92-528e-ad0a-a323f70794c8.html|title=Discover magazine: Chick-fil-A's most popular sauce originated in Spotsylvania|last=LANCE-STAR|first=CATHY JETT THE FREE|website=Fredericksburg.com|date=August 15, 2019 |language=en|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727205043/https://fredericksburg.com/discover/discover-magazine-chick-fil-a-s-most-popular-sauce-originated/article_16df06d0-6d92-528e-ad0a-a323f70794c8.html|url-status=live}}]]

On December 17, 2017, Chick-fil-A broke their tradition and opened on a Sunday to prepare meals for passengers left stranded during a power outage at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport;

{{cite news |url=https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2017/12/18/chick-fil-a-open-sunday/23310587/ |title=Chick-fil-A broke tradition and opened on a Sunday for the most heartwarming reason |author=AOL Staff |work=AOL.com |access-date=March 22, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323031106/https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2017/12/18/chick-fil-a-open-sunday/23310587/|archive-date=March 23, 2018|url-status=live}} further, on January 13, 2019, a Chick-fil-A franchise in Mobile, Alabama, opened on Sunday to honor a birthday wish of a 14-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and autism.{{cite web |url=https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/chick-fil-a-opens-on-sunday-for-special-needs-birthday-boy/ |title=Chick-Fil-A Opened On a Sunday in Order to Grant the Birthday Wish of a Boy With Special Needs |access-date=March 6, 2019|author=McKinley Corbley|work=GoodNewsNetwork |date=January 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123010447/https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/chick-fil-a-opens-on-sunday-for-special-needs-birthday-boy/ |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}

On February 13, 2023, they began offering their first non-meat sandwich, a breaded cauliflower sandwich.{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/chick-fil-a-plant-based-cauliflower-sandwich-b98ced1c8f60a907384124fecbd4273f |title=Chick-fil-A tests its first plant-based sandwich|website=Associated Press |date=February 9, 2023 }}

In May 2023, Chick-fil-A closed its original location in Greenbriar Mall, without stating a reason.{{cite web |last1=Valinsky |first1=Jordan |title=Chick-fil-A's first-ever restaurant is closing |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/18/business/chick-fil-a-first-location-closing/index.html |website=CNN |date=May 18, 2023 |access-date=May 19, 2023}}

File:Chick-fil-A - Hillsboro, Oregon.jpg, formerly a Newport Bay restaurant. This unit opened in March 2016 and was the first in Oregon to open in over a decade.]]

Chick-fil-A's business strategy involves a focus on a small menu and on customer service.{{cite news | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/chick-fil-as-lean-menu-helps-chain-bulk-up-11557313200 | title = Chick-fil-A's Lean Menu Helps Chain Bulk Up | newspaper = The Wall Street Journal | date = May 8, 2019 | access-date = May 9, 2019 | archive-date = May 9, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190509135021/https://www.wsj.com/articles/chick-fil-as-lean-menu-helps-chain-bulk-up-11557313200 | url-status = live }} While many fast food chains offer many dishes, Chick-fil-A's is focused on selling chicken sandwiches. The name's capital A is intended to indicate that their chicken is "grade A top quality".{{cite web |title=Who We Are |url=https://www.chick-fil-a.com/about/who-we-are |website=Chick Fil A |access-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-date=April 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418025535/https://www.chick-fil-a.com/About/Who-We-Are |url-status=live }} The company's emphasis on customer service is reported to have contributed to its success{{cite web | title = Chick-fil-A is dominating the fast-food industry in one key area and it reveals the secret to the chain's success | url = https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-as-customer-service-explains-success-2018-7 | website = Business Insider | quote = Chick-fil-A's reliably impressive customer service scores have played a major role in the chain's explosive growth | date = July 5, 2018 | access-date = May 9, 2019 | archive-date = May 9, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190509135946/https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-as-customer-service-explains-success-2018-7 | url-status = live }}{{cite news | title = Study: Chick-fil-A Has the Most Satisfied Customers | url = https://www.qsrmagazine.com/fast-food/study-chick-fil-has-most-satisfied-customers | publisher = SQR Magazine | date = June 2018 | access-date = May 9, 2019 | archive-date = May 9, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190509135944/https://www.qsrmagazine.com/fast-food/study-chick-fil-has-most-satisfied-customers | url-status = live }} and growth in the United States.

Chick-fil-A builds and owns its restaurants.{{cite web |url=http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Company/Highlights-Fact-Sheets |title=Company Fact Sheet |website=Chick-fil-A |date=n.d. |author= |access-date=March 24, 2012 |archive-date=November 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111005433/http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Company/Highlights-Fact-Sheets |url-status=live }} Chick-fil-A franchisees need a US$10,000 initial investment.

{{cite news |last=Norman |first=Jan |title=Franchises weather Chick-fil-A's controversy |newspaper=The Orange County Register |date=August 7, 2012 |page=Business 2 |url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fil-367629-chick-company.html |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309143813/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fil-367629-chick-company.html |archive-date=March 9, 2017 |url-status=live}}

Franchisees are selected and trained, a process that can take months.

Chick-fil-A grossed an average of $6.71 million per restaurant in 2022 despite opening only 6 days a week, the highest sales of all fast-food restaurants in the United States. (Raising Cane's was second with $5.44 million per restaurant average).{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Q. S. R. |date=August 1, 2023 |title=Ranked: The Top 50 Fast-Food Chains in America |url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/operations/fast-food/ranked-the-top-50-fast-food-chains-in-america/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=QSR Magazine |language=en-US}}

In 2019, Chick-fil-A reported $11.3 billion in sales in the United States, behind only McDonald's with $40.4 billion in sales that year.{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Kate|title=Chick-fil-A is the third-largest fast-food chain in America, and that should terrify Wendy's and Burger King|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-third-largest-fast-food-chain-us-sales-2020-5|access-date=January 20, 2022|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Sugar|first=Rachel|date=December 20, 2018|title=Chick-fil-A's controversial politics haven't stopped it from becoming one of the biggest fast-food chains in America|url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/12/20/18146316/chick-fil-a-growth-controversy|access-date=January 20, 2022|website=Vox|language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Reiley |first=Laura |date=June 19, 2019 |title=Experts cite careful growth, strong customer service and an embrace of new technologies for the chicken chain's surge. |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/06/19/chick-fil-a-becomes-third-largest-restaurant-chain-us/}}

To compete with Chick-fil-A, the fried chicken chain Popeyes, followed by others, introduced a fried chicken sandwich in 2019, a marketing trend known as the Chicken Sandwich Wars.

In the spring of 2020, Chick-fil-A test-trialed the sale of two of their dipping sauces at some supermarkets in Florida, with all profits earmarked for a scholarship fund for the company's store-level employees.{{Cite web |last=Wiener-Bronner |first=Danielle |date=March 11, 2020 |title=Chick-fil-A will start selling bottles of its signature sauce {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/11/business/chick-fil-a-sauce-bottle/index.html |access-date=April 22, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Saxena |first=Jaya |date=March 11, 2020 |title=Chick-fil-A Will Sell Its Signature Sauce at Grocery Stores for DIY Chicken Sandwich Wars |url=https://www.eater.com/2020/3/11/21174705/chick-fil-a-signature-sauce-will-be-sold-in-grocery-stores |access-date=April 22, 2023 |website=Eater |language=en}} The trial was considered successful, and distribution was expanded nationwide by 2021.{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2021 |title=You Can Finally Buy Chick-fil-A Sauce In More States |url=https://www.delish.com/food-news/a34450490/chick-fil-a-sauces-stores/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |website=Delish |language=en-us}} Two more sauces were added in 2023.{{Cite news |last=Cherico |first=Rebecca |date=April 17, 2023 |title=Chick-Fil-A Is Sending Two More Sauces To Grocery Stores (And We Got The Merch) |url=https://www.mashed.com/1258510/chick-fil-a-is-sending-two-more-sauces-to-grocery-stores-and-we-got-the-merch/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |website=Mashed |language=en-US}}

In October 2022, the company trialed expansion of the program to include its salad dressings in the Cincinnati metropolitan area and in parts of Tennessee,{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2022 |title=Chick-fil-A Salad Dressings Are Coming To A Store Near You |url=https://www.delish.com/food-news/a41626028/chick-fil-a-salad-dressings-grocery/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |website=Delish |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=Chick-fil-A Salad Dressing Is Now Available In Grocery Stores |url=https://www.southernliving.com/news/chick-fil-a-salad-dressing-grocery-store |access-date=April 22, 2023 |website=Southern Living |language=en}} and expanded nationwide in spring 2023.{{cite press release| title=Chick-fil-A launches Bottled Salad Dressings nationwide | website=Chick-fil-A | date=May 11, 2023 | url=https://www.chick-fil-a.com/stories/news/bottled-salad-dressings-available-nationwide }}

In January 2025, Chick-fil-A announced plans to centralize its lemonade production by moving it from its restaurant locations to a single, automated facility in California. This new plant is capable of processing between 30 and 35 truckloads of lemons daily, with each truckload containing 50,000 pounds of lemons.{{cite web | last=Sirtori | first=Daniela | title=Chick-fil-A's Lemon-Squeezing Robots Are Saving 10,000 Hours of Work | website=Bloomberg.com | date=January 8, 2025 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-chick-fil-a-lemonade/ | access-date=January 14, 2025}}

S. Truett Cathy was a devout Southern Baptist; his religious beliefs had a major impact on the company.

{{cite news |title=The World's Billionaires, No. 655 S. Truett Cathy |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_S-Truett-Cathy_AARY.html |magazine=Forbes |access-date=November 3, 2011 |date=March 10, 2010 |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024202517/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_S-Truett-Cathy_AARY.html |archive-date=October 24, 2011 |url-status=dead}}

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."{{cite web|url=http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Press/Bios/Dan |title=Executive Biographies: Dan T. Cathy, President and Chief Operating Officer |access-date=March 23, 2012 |publisher=Chick-fil-A |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309210046/http://chick-fil-a.com/Press/Bios/Dan |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }} Cathy opposed the company becoming public for religious and personal reasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-will-never-go-public-2016-1|title=Why Chick-fil-A will never go public|last=Taylor|first=Kate|website=Business Insider|access-date=April 25, 2020|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616202909/https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-will-never-go-public-2016-1|url-status=live}}

A company spokesperson said in 2012, "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."{{cite news| last=Aarthun | first=Sarah | title=Chick-fil-A wades into a fast-food fight over same-sex marriage rights | publisher=CNN | date=July 28, 2012 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/27/us/chick-fil-a-controversy/index.html}}

In accordance with the founder's belief in the Christian doctrine of first-day Sabbatarianism, all Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sundays,{{cite press release |url=http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Media/PDF/ClosedonSundaypolicy.pdf |title=Chick-fil-A's Closed-on-Sunday Policy |publisher=Chick-fil-A |year=2009 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |author= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929105406/http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Media/PDF/ClosedonSundaypolicy.pdf |archive-date=September 29, 2011 }} Thanksgiving, and Christmas.{{cite web|url=http://www.chick-fil-a.com/?#faqs |title=Chick-fil-A |publisher=Chick-fil-A |access-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601171619/http://www.chick-fil-a.com/ |archive-date=June 1, 2010 }} Cathy said "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."{{cite web |url=http://www.truettcathy.com/about_recipe.asp |title=About Truett |publisher=truettcathy.com |access-date=May 26, 2009 |date=n.d. |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507175504/http://www.truettcathy.com/about_recipe.asp |archive-date=May 7, 2009 |url-status=live}}

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 didn't like working on Sundays, that other people didn't either."

{{cite web |title=Nightline(ABC-TV) presents: Chik-fil-A Wins Customers ... by closing |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/10Commandments/ten-commandments-sabbath-holy-chick-fila-closes-sundays/story?id=8570384&page=3 |date=September 23, 2009 |access-date=September 19, 2010 |first1=Vicki |last1=Mabrey |first2=Mary |last2=Marsh |name-list-style=amp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228020145/http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/10Commandments/ten-commandments-sabbath-holy-chick-fila-closes-sundays/story?id=8570384&page=3 |archive-date=December 28, 2010 |url-status=live}}

Even Chick-fil-A locations at sports stadiums close on Sundays, although many games are played on Sundays.

{{cite web|last=Wagner-McGough|first=Sean|title=The Falcons' billion-dollar stadium will have a Chick-fil-A that's almost never open|work=CBS Sports|date=August 16, 2017|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/the-falcons-billion-dollar-stadium-will-have-a-chick-fil-a-thats-almost-never-open/|access-date=August 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821074649/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/the-falcons-billion-dollar-stadium-will-have-a-chick-fil-a-thats-almost-never-open/|archive-date=August 21, 2017|url-status=live}}

During the Western Christian liturgical season of Lent, {{nowrap|Chick-fil-A}} has in the past promoted fish sandwiches, following the Christian tradition of abstinence from meat during Lent.{{cite web |last1=Meyer |first1=Zlati |title=Chick-fil-A serves up fish sandwiches for Lent, now through April 20 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/03/06/chick-fil-a-serves-fish-sandwich-for-lent/3079575002/ |publisher=USA Today |access-date=February 20, 2021 |language=English |date=March 7, 2019 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030135117/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/03/06/chick-fil-a-serves-fish-sandwich-for-lent/3079575002/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Puhak |first1=Janine |title=Chick-fil-A brings back limited-edition fish sandwich for Lent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/chick-fil-fish-sandwich-lent-where-fried-cod-easter-a9373126.html |work=The Independent |access-date=February 20, 2021 |language=English |date=March 3, 2020 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614060150/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/chick-fil-fish-sandwich-lent-where-fried-cod-easter-a9373126.html |url-status=live }} They no longer offer this product.{{cite web |url=https://www.chick-fil-a.com/customer-support/our-food/our-menu/what-can-i-eat-from-chick-fil-a-restaurants-during-lent |title=What can I eat from Chick-fil-A restaurants during Lent? |publisher=Chick-fil-A |access-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222194043/https://www.chick-fil-a.com/customer-support/our-food/our-menu/what-can-i-eat-from-chick-fil-a-restaurants-during-lent |url-status=live }}

In February 2014, Chick-fil-A announced plans to serve chicken raised without antibiotics in its restaurants nationwide within five years, the first fast-food restaurant to make this commitment.{{cite web |url=http://www.restaurantnews.com/chick-fil-a-to-serve-antibiotic-free-chicken/ |title=Chick-fil-A to Serve Antibiotic-Free Chicken |magazine=Restaurant News |date=February 11, 2014 |author= |access-date=March 5, 2014 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112431/http://www.restaurantnews.com/chick-fil-a-to-serve-antibiotic-free-chicken/ |url-status=live }} This was implemented by May 2019.{{Cite web |title=No Antibiotics Ever |url=https://www.chick-fil-a.com/about/great-food/no-antibiotics-ever |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808205222/https://www.chick-fil-a.com/about/great-food/no-antibiotics-ever |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |access-date=July 8, 2024 |website=Chick-fil-A |language=en}} Later the company stated that "to maintain supply of the high-quality chicken", they would shift from a policy of No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) to No Antibiotics Important To Human Medicine (NAIHM) starting in the spring of 2024. In March 2024, Chick-fil-A announced it would depart from the company's previous commitment of using only "antibiotic-free" chicken.{{Cite web |date=March 25, 2024 |title=Chick-fil-A is making a major change to its chicken, sparking backlash |url=https://www.today.com/food/restaurants/chick-fil-a-antibiotics-policy-rcna144968 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Mather |first=Victor |date=March 25, 2024 |title=Chick-fil-A Modifies Its 'No Antibiotic' Chicken Policy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/25/business/chick-fil-a-antibiotic-chicken.html |access-date=March 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In 2011, food blogger and activist Vani Hari noted that Chick-fil-A sandwiches contained nearly 100 ingredients, including peanut oil preserved with tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), made from butane.{{cite news |last=Choi |first=Candice |title=Getting the dye out; Chick-fil-A cleans up buns and sauces |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/businessmain/getting-dye-out-chick-fil-cleans-buns-sauces-2D11689346 |website=NBC News |access-date=May 4, 2020 |date=December 3, 2013 |archive-date=May 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504173034/https://www.nbcnews.com/businessmain/getting-dye-out-chick-fil-cleans-buns-sauces-2D11689346 |url-status=live }} In October 2012, Chick-fil-A invited Hari to meet with company executives at its headquarters.{{cite news |last=Strom |first=Stephanie |title=Social Media as a Megaphone to Pressure the Food Industry |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/31/business/media/social-media-as-a-megaphone-to-push-food-makers-to-change.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 31, 2013 |access-date=February 12, 2014 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301172744/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/31/business/media/social-media-as-a-megaphone-to-push-food-makers-to-change.html |url-status=live }} In December 2013, Chick-fil-A said that it was removing high-fructose corn syrup and artificial dyes, and was testing a new peanut oil{{Update inline|date=November 2021}}. Like other companies, Chick-fil-A does not publicly announce such changes unless already in the news, because it focuses on these ingredients.

File:Chick-fil-A at Yonge and Bloor - 04.jpg in Toronto.]]

In September 1994, Chick-fil-A opened its first location outside of the United States inside a student centre food court at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta.{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADA13678ADC8F3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Outlet in Canada to open Sept. 8 |newspaper=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=August 25, 1994 |page=F/3 |last=Vesey |first=Susannah |url-access=subscription |quote=In another new venture, Chick-fil-A will open its first Canadian outlet on Sept. 8 in the student center food court at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The unit, which will serve a limited menu, will be run under a license agreement by the Canadian company Versa Services. |access-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909073714/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADA13678ADC8F3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=live }} [http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/0EADA13678ADC8F3/0D10997327EA07D5 Alternate link] via NewsBank. This location did not perform very well and was closed within two or three years.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} The company opened an outlet at the Calgary International Airport in Alberta in May 2014,{{cite news |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/fast+food+chain+Chick+opens+Canadian+franchise+talks+down+marriage+controversy/9886274/story.html |title=U.S. fast-food chain Chick-fil-A opens Canadian franchise, talks down gay marriage controversy |newspaper=Calgary Herald |date=May 29, 2014 |first=Dylan |last=Robertson |access-date=January 27, 2019 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110151225/http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/fast+food+chain+Chick+opens+Canadian+franchise+talks+down+marriage+controversy/9886274/story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.yyc.com/TravellerInfo/Shopping,DiningServices/Dining/tabid/146/moduleId/2193/storeId/58/controller/Store/action/Detail/language/en-US/Default.aspx|title=YYC > Traveller Info > Shopping, Dining & Services > Dining|website=www.yyc.com|language=en-US|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908020243/http://www.yyc.com/TravellerInfo/Shopping,DiningServices/Dining/tabid/146/moduleId/2193/storeId/58/controller/Store/action/Detail/language/en-US/Default.aspx|url-status=live}} and closed it in 2019.{{cite web |url=https://dailyhive.com/calgary/chick-fil-a-opening-day-protest-toronto-photos |title=Protesters surround opening of Chick-fil-A's first Canadian location |last=Gladysz |first=Kayla |date=September 6, 2019 |website=Daily Hive |access-date=March 25, 2021 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614062753/https://dailyhive.com/calgary/chick-fil-a-opening-day-protest-toronto-photos |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theprogress.com/trending-now/canadas-first-chick-fil-a-opens-to-protests-over-owners-record-on-gay-issues/ |title=Canada's first Chick-fil-A opens to protests over owner's record on gay issues |date=September 6, 2019 |website=The Chilliwack Progress |access-date=March 25, 2021 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614081829/https://www.theprogress.com/trending-now/canadas-first-chick-fil-a-opens-to-protests-over-owners-record-on-gay-issues/ |url-status=live }}

Chick-fil-A opened a restaurant in Toronto, Ontario, on September 6, 2019, in the Yonge and Bloor Street area. There were protests criticizing the company's violation of animal rights and "history of supporting anti-LGBTQ causes".{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/09/06/protesters-rally-at-chick-fil-a-opening-in-toronto-over-owners-record-on-lgbtq-issues.html |title=Protesters rally at Chick-fil-A opening in Toronto over owner's record on LGBTQ issues |last=Warren |first=May |date=September 6, 2019 |website=Toronto Star |access-date=March 25, 2021 |archive-date=September 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912231527/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/09/06/protesters-rally-at-chick-fil-a-opening-in-toronto-over-owners-record-on-lgbtq-issues.html |url-status=live }} Chick-fil-A announced that it would open two other locations in Toronto during 2019, and 12 additional stores in the Greater Toronto Area over the subsequent five years.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/07/25/chick-fil-open-first-franchised-international-store-toronto/834157002/,= |title=Chick-fil-A starts its international expansion in Toronto next year |last=Tobin |first=Ben |date=July 25, 2018 |website=USA Today |access-date=March 25, 2021}} The chain's second Toronto location opened at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in January 2020.{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2020 |title=Chick-fil-A is opening its second Toronto location next week |url=https://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2020/01/chick-fil-a-yorkdale-mall-toronto-opening-date/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |website=www.blogto.com |language=en}}

The company expanded to other areas of Ontario in 2021, opening standalone locations with drive-through restaurants in Kitchener in August and Windsor in October.{{Cite news|date=August 3, 2021 |title=Chick-fil-A franchise to open in Kitchener on Saturday |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8081718/chick-fil-a-kitchener-opening/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=October 29, 2021 |title=Chick-fil-A opens Windsor location with long lines and small protest|first=Kathleen|last=Saylors|url=https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/chick-fil-a-opens-windsor-location-thursday |newspaper=Windsor Star}}

In 2024, the company opened locations in Alberta, one being in the Phase III food court of West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton.{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2024 |title=Chick-fil-A opens West Edmonton Mall location |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/chick-fil-a-opens-west-edmonton-mall-location-1.7002470 |access-date=August 17, 2024 |website=Edmonton |language=en}} and the other being in Calgary located on Macleod Trail.

In 2025, despite freezing cold, hundreds of customers started lining up outside the restaurant as early as five in the morning in Cambridge, Ontario.{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2025 |title='I'd do anything for Chick-fil-A' — Hundreds line up, many overnight, for grand opening in Cambridge |url=https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/id-do-anything-for-chick-fil-a-hundreds-line-up-many-overnight-for-grand-opening/article_8dae5918-5997-5c77-867e-eb96d7767285.html |website=Waterloo Region Record |language=en}}

In August 1996, Chick-fil-A opened its first location outside of North America by building a restaurant in Durban, South Africa.{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADA291D8EC70E3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Business in brief - Chick-fil-A in Africa |newspaper=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=July 13, 1996 |page=C3 |author= |url-access=subscription |quote=Chick-fil-A Inc. will open its first restaurant outside North America in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, next month. The Atlanta-based company said it granted DanCor Investments Pty Ltd., a family-owned South African company, exclusive rights to develop and operate 50 stores in southern Africa, of which 20 to 30 will be built in South Africa. Danie van den Heever, DanCor's founder and chairman, was named chief executive of Chick-fil-A Southern Africa, a new company formed to hold and operate the chicken franchise. |access-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909073907/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADA291D8EC70E3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=live }} [http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/0EADA291D8EC70E3/0D10997327EA07D5 Alternate Link] via NewsBank. A second location was opened in Johannesburg in November 1997.{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19856297.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909073938/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19856297.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |title=Atlanta-Based Chick-Fil-A to Open Second South African Location |work=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution |date=October 11, 1997 |author= |via=Highbeam Research }} Neither was profitable, and they were closed in 2001.{{cite news |url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Retail/2014/03/30/Chick-fil-A-CEO-Dan-Cathy-regrets-embroiling-family-chain-in-gay-rights-debate.html |title=Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy regrets embroiling family chain in gay rights debate |newspaper=Toledo Blade |date=March 30, 2014 |author= |access-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115145057/http://www.toledoblade.com/Retail/2014/03/30/Chick-fil-A-CEO-Dan-Cathy-regrets-embroiling-family-chain-in-gay-rights-debate.html |url-status=live }}

A Chick-fil-A operated in Edinburgh during the Spring of 2018.{{cite web|url=https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/food/us-restaurant-chain-chick-fil-a-eye-up-edinburgh-following-recent-successful-pop-up/|title=US restaurant chain Chick-Fil-A eye up Edinburgh following recent successful pop-up|last=Murphy|first=Sean|date=April 24, 2018|website=Scotsman Food and Drink|language=en-US|access-date=October 21, 2019|archive-date=October 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021202719/https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/food/us-restaurant-chain-chick-fil-a-eye-up-edinburgh-following-recent-successful-pop-up/|url-status=live}} On October 10, 2019, Chick-fil-A returned to Europe, with the opening of a store at The Oracle shopping centre in Reading, UK.{{cite web|first1=James|last1=Hansen|access-date=October 14, 2019|title=Cult-Followed Anti-LGBTQ Fried Chicken Restaurant Chick-fil-A Makes U.K. Debut|url=https://london.eater.com/2019/10/14/20913326/chick-fil-a-uk-restaurant-opening-fried-chicken-sandwich-oracle-reading-shopping-centre|date=October 14, 2019|website=Eater London|archive-date=October 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014153627/https://london.eater.com/2019/10/14/20913326/chick-fil-a-uk-restaurant-opening-fried-chicken-sandwich-oracle-reading-shopping-centre|url-status=live}} The store closed in March 2020 after The Oracle opted not to continue the lease of the location beyond the six-month pilot period in the face of continued protests over the chain's anti-LGBTQ stance.{{cite web|access-date=October 18, 2019|title=Reading Chick-fil-A outlet to close in LGBT rights row|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-50094551|date=October 18, 2019|website=BBC|archive-date=October 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019003141/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-50094551|url-status=live}}

In February 2019, Chick-fil-A opened a store on a 12-month pilot scheme in Aviemore, Scotland. The store was closed in January 2020 amidst protests and controversy from locals and customers regarding the chain's former donations to charities supporting anti-LGBT rights causes. Chick-fil-A said that they had always planned a short-term stay at the location.{{cite web|url=https://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/controversial-fast-food-chain-chick-fil-a-closes-scots-outlet|title=Controversial fast-food chain Chick Fil A closes Scots outlet|date=January 21, 2020|website=STV News|language=en-GB|access-date=January 22, 2020|archive-date=January 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127151705/https://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/controversial-fast-food-chain-chick-fil-a-closes-scots-outlet|url-status=live}}

Later, the company changed some policies, appointing its first head of diversity in 2020, and focused its charitable activities on education and hunger alleviation rather than opponents of same-sex marriage. In September 2023, the company planned to open five restaurants in the UK from early 2025, investing over $100M over the following ten years in the UK. The chain said that it would apply its charitable policies, including a $25,000 donation to a local organization on opening a Chick-fil-A restaurant and donation of surplus food to local charitable causes, to its UK branches too.{{cite news| last=Hooker | first=Lucy | title=Chick-fil-A to try again in UK four years after LGBT backlash | publisher=BBC News | date=September 14, 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66813904}}

Chick-fil-A have opened their first full UK restaurant in Lisburn, Northern Ireland in January 2025, followed by a second one in Templepatrick, Northern Ireland in February 2025 under a partnership with Welcome Break, a subsidiary of Applegreen.{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Sophie |date=January 16, 2025 |title=First NI Chick-fil-A store set to open later this month |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/chick-fil-set-open-first-30796382 |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=Belfast Live |language=en}}

Chick-fil-A opened its first location in Puerto Rico in 2022 and has now expanded to seven restaurants{{cite news |url=https://chick-menu.com/chick-fil-a-puerto-rico-locations/ |title=Chick-fil-A Restaurants in Puerto Rico |date=July 25, 2024 }} with the plan for up to 25 locations by 2030. The unique menu includes coffee 100% grown and roasted in Puerto Rico.

Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy announced in March{{nbsp}}2023 that it planned to open restaurants in Asia and Europe by 2026, and was set to expand to five overseas markets by 2030. The Wall Street Journal reported that it was seeking countries with "stable economies, dense populations, and a demand for chicken".{{cite news |last1=Haddon |first1=Heather |title=Chick-fil-A Wants to Serve Its Chicken Sandwiches in Asia and Europe |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chick-fil-a-wants-to-serve-its-chicken-sandwiches-in-asia-and-europe-2af2eec4 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=March 13, 2023}}

Chick-fil-A opened a pop-up restaurant at Esplanade Mall for three days from June 26 through 28, 2024, being the first Asian country to host a Chick-fil-A pop-up.{{cite news | title = With no queue chaos, it was all smiles at Chick-fil-A's first Singapore pop up | url = https://www.straitstimes.com/life/with-no-queue-chaos-it-was-all-smiles-at-chick-fil-a-s-first-singapore-pop-up | work =The Straits Times | language = en | date = June 26, 2024 | access-date = January 3, 2025}} On October 17, 2024, Chick-fil-A officially announced it would be opening in Singapore in late 2025, making the first Asian country to open the brand, and would be investing US$75 million into its first restaurant in the country for 10 years.{{cite news |title=American fast-food chain Chick-fil-A to open in Singapore in 2025 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/american-fast-food-chain-chick-fil-a-to-open-in-singapore-in-2025 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |date=October 17, 2024}}

{{Update section|date=March 2023}}

In July 2018, Chick-fil-A announced it would be opening its first location in Hawaii in Kahului in early 2022, with additional locations in Honolulu and Kapoleo to follow.{{cite web|url=https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/news/chick-fil-a-is-coming-to-hawaii|title=Chick-fil-A is Coming to Hawaii|work=Chicken Wire|access-date=August 23, 2021|archive-date=August 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823024938/https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/news/chick-fil-a-is-coming-to-hawaii|url-status=live}} The first Puerto Rican location opened on March 3, 2022, in Bayamón.{{cite web|url=https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/17579-chick-fil-a-making-push-into-puerto-rico|title=Chick-fil-A making a push into Puerto Rico|work=Food Business News|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229151906/https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/17579-chick-fil-a-making-push-into-puerto-rico|url-status=live}}

File:Chick-fil-A truck at Airport West Distribution Center.JPG

"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{{cite web |title=Why does Chick-fil-A use dairy cows on its advertising? |url=http://www.chick-fil-a.com/FAQ#?category=10 |website=Chick-fil-A |date=n.d. |author= |access-date=November 13, 2015 |archive-date=August 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820071456/http://www.chick-fil-a.com/FAQ#?category=10 |url-status=live }} that are often seen wearing (or holding) signs that (usually) read "Eat Mor Chikin" in capital letters. The ad campaign was temporarily halted on January 1, 2004, during a mad cow disease scare, 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.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} The cows replaced the chain's old mascot, Doodles, an anthropomorphized chicken that still appears as the C on the logo.{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/things-you-didnt-know-about-chick-fil-a-gallery |website=thedailymeal.com |publisher=The Daily Meal Staff |access-date=March 11, 2020 |title=20 Things You Didn't Know About Chick-fil-A |date=April 25, 2019 |archive-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415080419/https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/things-you-didnt-know-about-chick-fil-a-gallery |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Joe Guy |last=Collier |title=Dress-as-a-cow day reflects Chick-fil-A's 'have fun' culture |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=July 9, 2008 |url=http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/07/09/chickfila_cow_day.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714035937/http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/07/09/chickfila_cow_day.html |archive-date=July 14, 2008}}

Chick-fil-A vigorously protects its intellectual property, sending cease and desist letters to those they think have infringed on their trademarks.{{cite news |last1=Pedicini |first1=Sandra |title=Chick-fil-A cries fowl over Eat More Produce |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2010/05/13/chick-fil-a-cries-fowl-over-eat-more-produce/ |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=May 13, 2010 |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223070422/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-05-13/business/os-eat-more-produce-20100513_1_chick-fil-a-fil-eat-mor-chikin |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |last=Ring |first=Wilson |title=Eat more kale: A David vs. Goliath fight with Chick-fil-A? |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1128/Eat-more-kale-A-David-vs.-Golaith-fight-with-Chick-fil-A |access-date=December 4, 2011 |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |date=November 28, 2011 |archive-date=December 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202005546/http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1128/Eat-more-kale-A-David-vs.-Golaith-fight-with-Chick-fil-A |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite news |last=Carapezza |first=Kirk |title=In Vermont, Fighting for the Rights To 'Eat More' |url=http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/92625/in-vermont-fighting-for-rights-to-eat-more/ |access-date=December 4, 2011 |work=Vermont Public Radio |date=December 2, 2011 |archive-date=December 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214101547/http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/92625/in-vermont-fighting-for-rights-to-eat-more/ |url-status=live }} The incident drew criticism from Vermont governor Peter Shumlin, and created backlash against what he termed Chick-fil-A's "corporate bullying".{{cite news |last=Bidgood |first=Jess |title=Chicken Chain Says Stop, but T-Shirt Maker Balks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/us/eat-more-kale-t-shirts-challenged-by-chick-fil-a.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 4, 2011 |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-date=September 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901024509/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/us/eat-more-kale-t-shirts-challenged-by-chick-fil-a.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |last= Ring |first= Wilson |title= Man celebrates his new 'eat more kale' trademark |url= http://www.whdh.com/story/27611257/apnewsbreak-artist-wins-eat-more-kale-trademark |date= December 12, 2014 |publisher= WHDH |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20141212201719/http://www.whdh.com/story/27611257/apnewsbreak-artist-wins-eat-more-kale-trademark |archive-date= December 12, 2014 |access-date= December 12, 2014 }}

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."{{cite journal |title= No Sacred Cows: Why Chick-fil-A parted ways with The Richards Group after 22 years |last=Wohl |first= Jessica |journal= Advertising Age |volume=87 |issue=15 |date= August 1, 2016 |pages= 18–20}}

;Chick-fil-A Classic

:The Chick-fil-A Classic is a high school basketball tournament held in Columbia, South Carolina, featuring nationally ranked players and teams.{{cite web |url=http://www.chick-fil-aclassic.com/ |title=Welcome to 8th Annual Chick-Fil-A Classic.com |publisher=Chick-fil-aclassic.com |access-date=June 18, 2010 |date=n.d.|author= |archive-date=February 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212213105/http://www.chick-fil-aclassic.com/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.chick-fil-aclassic.com/gceaf.shtml |title=GCEAF |publisher=Chick-Fil-A Classic |access-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331195242/http://www.chick-fil-aclassic.com/gceaf.shtml |archive-date=March 31, 2010 }} 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.{{Update inline|date=November 2021|reason=Is the Classic still going on? Sources are dated to 2010.}}

;Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

:The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, first known as the Peach Bowl until 2006 and renamed Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in 2014, is a college football bowl game played each year in Atlanta, Georgia.{{cite web |url=https://discoveratlanta.com/things-to-do/sports/chick-fil-a-bowl/ |title=Host Bowl of the College Football Playoff |access-date=June 19, 2020 |website=Discover Atlanta |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026215115/https://discoveratlanta.com/things-to-do/sports/chick-fil-a-bowl/ |url-status=live }}

;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. The event was expanded to two games in the 2012 season and again in the 2014 season. It was also two games in 2017.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} On July 12, 2023, Georgia-based insurance company Aflac, became the new sponsor of the game.{{Cite news |last=Hansen |first=Zachary |title=Aflac takes over title sponsorship of Kickoff game in Atlanta |language=English |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/exclusive-aflac-takes-over-title-sponsorship-of-kickoff-game-in-atlanta/NJF2BOA7AZALRA55YMS2SSSI24/ |access-date=July 13, 2023 |issn=1539-7459}}

{{criticism section|date=June 2023}}

{{Main|Chick-fil-A and LGBTQ people}}

Chick-fil-A has donated over $5 million, via the WinShape Foundation, to groups that oppose same-sex marriage.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444840104577553341868014390 |title=Chick-fil-A's Long Christian Heritage |first=Cameron |last=McWhirter |date=July 27, 2012 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805233901/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444840104577553341868014390 |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/52888536-78/gay-chick-family-fil.html.csp |title=Sugar House protesters say Chick-fil-A is anti-gay |first=Rosemary |last=Winters |date=November 10, 2011 |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002157/http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/52888536-78/gay-chick-family-fil.html.csp |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Boucly |first=Chris |title=Gay youths plan protest against Chick-fil-A |url=http://www.ocregister.com/news/family-365324-chick-fil.html |accessdate=July 26, 2012 |newspaper=The Orange County Register |date=July 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727070937/http://www.ocregister.com/news/family-365324-chick-fil.html |archive-date=July 27, 2012 |url-status=live }} In response, students at several colleges and universities worked to ban or remove the company's restaurants from their campuses.{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shane-l-windmeyer/dan-cathy-chick-fil-a_b_2564379.html |title=Dan and Me: My Coming Out as a Friend of Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A |first=Shane L. |last=Windmeyer |date=January 28, 2013 |work=Huffington Post |accessdate=October 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925010112/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shane-l-windmeyer/dan-cathy-chick-fil-a_b_2564379.html |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://nyulocal.com/on-campus/2012/03/05/student-council-voted-to-keep-homophobic-chick-fil-a-long-before-petition-launched |title=NYU Decided To Keep "Homophobic" Chick-fil-A Long Before Petition Launched |work=NYU Local |first=Zoë |last=Schlanger |date=March 5, 2012 |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908194401/http://nyulocal.com/on-campus/2012/03/05/student-council-voted-to-keep-homophobic-chick-fil-a-long-before-petition-launched/ |archive-date=September 8, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Rocheleau |first=Matt |title=Northeastern cancels Chick-fil-A plans after student group denounces chain |url=http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-28/yourtown/31108665_1_student-newspaper-student-center-student-concerns|newspaper=Boston Globe |date=February 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728144706/http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-28/yourtown/31108665_1_student-newspaper-student-center-student-concerns |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

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".

Sources:

• {{cite news |last=Starnes |first=Todd |title=Rahm: "Chick-fil-A Values Are Not Chicago Values" |url=http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/cities-move-to-ban-chick-fil-a-supporters-launch-day-of-support.html |access-date=July 26, 2012 |work=Fox News Radio |date=July 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726203208/http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/cities-move-to-ban-chick-fil-a-supporters-launch-day-of-support.html |archive-date=July 26, 2012 |url-status=dead}}
• {{cite news |last=Collier |first=Myles |title=Chick-fil-A President Says 'God's Judgment' Coming Because of Same-Sex Marriage |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/chick-fil-a-president-says-gods-judgment-coming-because-of-same-sex-marriage-78485/#SUuZKIURo5MhCW2p.99 |access-date=July 26, 2012 |newspaper=The Christian Post |date=July 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720214607/http://www.christianpost.com/news/chick-fil-a-president-says-gods-judgment-coming-because-of-same-sex-marriage-78485/#SUuZKIURo5MhCW2p.99 |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite news |title=What Dan Cathy said |url=http://www.ajc.com/business/what-dan-cathy-said-1484986.html |access-date=July 28, 2012 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729091528/http://www.ajc.com/business/what-dan-cathy-said-1484986.html |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |url-status=live}}*{{cite web |last1=Blume |first1=Allan K. |title='Guilty as charged,' Dan Cathy says of Chick-fil-A's stand on faith |url=http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/%E2%80%98Guilty-as-charged,%E2%80%99-Dan-Cathy-says-of-Chick-fil-A |publisher=Biblical Recorder |access-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725040941/http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/%E2%80%98Guilty-as-charged,%E2%80%99-Dan-Cathy-says-of-Chick-fil-A |archive-date=July 25, 2012 |date=July 2, 2012}}
• {{cite news |last=Hsu |first=Tiffany |title=Is Chick-fil-A anti-gay marriage? 'Guilty as charged,' leader says |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-chick-fil-a-gay-20120718,0,3020372.story |access-date=July 19, 2012 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719072949/http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-chick-fil-a-gay-20120718,0,3020372.story |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |url-status=live}}

Several prominent politicians expressed disapproval.

{{cite news |last=Lopez |first=Ricardo |title=San Francisco is the third city to tell Chick-fil-A: Keep out |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-san-franciso-mayor-to-chickfila-keep-out-20120726,0,4169780.story |access-date=July 26, 2012 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727083202/http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-san-franciso-mayor-to-chickfila-keep-out-20120726,0,4169780.story |archive-date=July 27, 2012 |url-status=live}}

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Chicago Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno said they hoped to block franchise expansion into their areas.

Sources:

• {{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Greg |title=Mayor Menino on Chick-fil-A: Stuff it |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061147182&srvc=home&position=emailed |newspaper=The Boston Herald |access-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723170139/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061147182&srvc=home&position=emailed |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |date=July 20, 2012}}
• {{cite news |title=Mayor's letter to Chick-fil-A |url=http://bostonherald.com/news/document.bg?f=misc/Chick-fil-A-1&h=Mayor%27s%20letter%20to%20Chick-fil-A&p=&k=bh |access-date=July 26, 2012 |newspaper=The Boston Herald |date=July 20, 2012 |first=Thomas M. |last=Menino |author-link=Thomas Menino |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724180750/http://bostonherald.com/news/document.bg?f=misc%2FChick-fil-A-1&h=Mayor%27s%20letter%20to%20Chick-fil-A&p=&k=bh |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite news |last=Dardick |first=Hal |title=Alderman to Chick-fil-A: No deal |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/ct-met-chicago-chick-fil-a-20120725,0,929023.story |access-date=July 26, 2012 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=July 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726084925/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/ct-met-chicago-chick-fil-a-20120725,0,929023.story |archive-date=July 26, 2012 |url-status=live}}

The proposed local bans drew criticism from liberal pundits, legal experts, and the American Civil Liberties Union.

{{cite news |last=Drum |first=Kevin |title=Rahm Emanuel Needs to Back Off on Chick-fil-A |url=https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/07/rahm-emanuel-needs-back-chick-fil |access-date=July 26, 2012 |magazine=Mother Jones |date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727141825/http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/07/rahm-emanuel-needs-back-chick-fil |archive-date=July 27, 2012 |url-status=live}}

• {{cite web |url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Conservatives-AND-Liberals-Defending-Chick-fil-A-163880526.html |title=Conservatives and Liberals Defend Chick-fil-A |work=WMAQ-TV |date=July 26, 2012 |access-date=July 26, 2012 |first=McClelland |last=Edward |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729041154/http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Conservatives-AND-Liberals-Defending-Chick-fil-A-163880526.html |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/legal-eagles-cry-fowl-over-politicians-plans-to-block-chick-fil-a/ |title=Legal eagles cry fowl over politicians' plans to block Chick-fil-A |publisher=Fox News |date=July 26, 2012 |access-date=July 26, 2012 |last=Miller |first=Joshua Rhett |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726184209/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/26/politician-plan-to-block-chick-fil-is-unconstitutional-legal-experts-say/ |archive-date=July 26, 2012 |url-status=live}}

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.

Sources:

• {{cite AV media |last=Rose |first=Annie |title=Chick-fil-A Backlash: Politicians, Muppets Respond |url=https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/chick-fil-backlash-politicians-muppets-respond-16857916 |access-date=July 28, 2012 |work=ABC News |date=July 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728014204/http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/chick-fil-backlash-politicians-muppets-respond-16857916 |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite news |last=Lendon |first=Brad |title=Henson, Huckabee take sides in Chick-fil-A same-sex marriage controversy |url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/24/muppets-huckabee-take-sides-in-chick-fil-a-same-sex-marriage-controversy/?hpt=hp_c3 |access-date=July 28, 2012 |work=CNN |date=July 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727044233/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/24/muppets-huckabee-take-sides-in-chick-fil-a-same-sex-marriage-controversy/?hpt=hp_c3 |archive-date=July 27, 2012 |url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web |last1=Hsu |first1=Tiffany |title=Chick-fil-A's PR chief dies suddenly amid gay-marriage imbroglio |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chick-fil-a-20120728,0,765557.story |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728021325/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chick-fil-a-20120728,0,765557.story |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |url-status=dead |date=July 28, 2012}}

Chick-fil-A stopped distributing the toys, claiming that unrelated safety concerns had arisen before the controversy.{{cite news |last=Bartkewicz |first=Anthony |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-25/news/32853027_1_gay-marriage-biblical-definition-dan-cathy |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130042040/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-25/news/32853027_1_gay-marriage-biblical-definition-dan-cathy |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |title=Coincidence? Chick-Fil-A pulls Jim Henson toys |access-date=July 30, 2012 |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=July 25, 2012}} 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."{{cite press release |last=Robinson |first=Steve |date=July 31, 2012 |url=http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Pressroom/Press-Releases#?release=LGBT-statement |title=Chick-fil-A Response to Recent Controversy |access-date=August 5, 2012 |website=Chick-fil-A |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802093803/http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Pressroom/Press-Releases#?release=LGBT-statement |archive-date=August 2, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

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. Many of the chain's stores reported record levels of customers that day.{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/chick-fil-supporters-gather-appreciation-day/story?id=16904664#.UBnyts3Nmw8 |title=Chick-Fil-A Supporters Gather for Appreciation Day |work=ABC News |date=August 1, 2012 |access-date=August 17, 2012 |first=Amy |last=Bingham |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815215652/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/chick-fil-supporters-gather-appreciation-day/story?id=16904664#.UBnyts3Nmw8 |archive-date=August 15, 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Hsu |first=Tiffany |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chick-fil-a-day-20120802,0,1647505.story |title=Chick-fil-A fans and critics take to the streets |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=August 1, 2012 |access-date=August 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806051331/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chick-fil-a-day-20120802,0,1647505.story |archive-date=August 6, 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |first=Amanda |last=Holpuch |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/us-news-blog/2012/aug/01/chick-fil-a-appreciation-day |title=Chick-fil-A appreciation day brings huge crowds to fast-food chain | Life and style | |newspaper=The Guardian |date=August 1, 2012 |access-date=August 17, 2012 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214113545/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/us-news-blog/2012/aug/01/chick-fil-a-appreciation-day |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |url-status=live}} The United States Federal Aviation Administration also responded to two cities that were preventing Chick-fil-A from opening in their international airport, citing "Federal requirements prohibit airport operators from excluding persons on the basis of religious creed from participating in airport activities that receive or benefit from FAA grant funding."{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2019/05/29/faa-investigates-chickfila-exclusion-airports.html?|last=Gailey|first=Alex|date=May 29, 2019|title=FAA launches religious discrimination investigation into Chick-fil-A's exclusion at U.S. airports|work=Atlanta Business Chronicle|access-date=May 31, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023122358/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2019/05/29/faa-investigates-chickfila-exclusion-airports.html|url-status=live}}

In April 2018, Chick-fil-A reportedly continued to donate to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which opposes gay marriage.{{cite news |last1=Cruz |first1=Maria |title=Torontonians threaten to boycott conservative fast-food chain Chick-fil-A - Womens Post |url=https://www.womenspost.ca/torontonians-boycott-chick-fil-a/ |access-date=September 30, 2018 |work=Womens Post |date=July 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904064651/https://www.womenspost.ca/torontonians-boycott-chick-fil-a/|archive-date=September 4, 2018}}

{{cite web |last1=Israel |first1=Josh |title=Chick-fil-A is still bankrolling anti-LGBTQ causes |url=https://thinkprogress.org/chick-fil-a-still-anti-gay-970f079bf85/ |website=thinkprogress.org |date=July 6, 2017 |access-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013122630/https://thinkprogress.org/chick-fil-a-still-anti-gay-970f079bf85/ |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}

In a November 18, 2019 interview, Chick-fil-A president Tim Tassopoulos said the company would stop donating to The Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/18/business/chick-fil-a-donations-lgbtq.html|title=Chick-fil-A Stops Giving to 2 Groups Criticized by L.G.B.T.Q. Advocates|last=Yaffe-Bellany|first=David|date=November 18, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 20, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120014152/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/18/business/chick-fil-a-donations-lgbtq.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/retail/exclusive-amid-global-expansion-and-lgbt-pushback-chick-fil-a-changes-charitable-giving-structure-101818 | title=Exclusive: Chick-fil-A To Stop Donations To Charities With Anti-LGBT Views | publisher=Bisnow | date=November 18, 2019 | access-date=November 18, 2019 | author=Brugh, Carter | archive-date=November 18, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118161041/https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/retail/exclusive-amid-global-expansion-and-lgbt-pushback-chick-fil-a-changes-charitable-giving-structure-101818 | url-status=live }}

The popularity of Chick-fil-A's drive-throughs in the United States has led to traffic problems, police interventions, and complaints by neighboring businesses in more than 20 states. The long drive-through lines have been reported to cause traffic backups, blocking emergency vehicles and city buses and increasing the risk of collisions and pedestrian injuries.{{cite news |last1=Gibson |first1=Kate |title=California city may declare Chick-fil-A a "public nuisance" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chick-fil-a-santa-barbara-california-city-public-nuisance-traffic/ |access-date=August 11, 2022 |work=CBS News |date=March 17, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Times Staff |title=Chick-fil-A isn't the first to get backlash over a drive-through. It's a California tradition |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-03-15/chick-fil-a-drive-through-backlash-isnt-a-first-in-california |access-date=August 11, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 15, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Stefene |title=Here are the worst drive-thrus in Utah, according to you |url=https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/food/2022/03/17/here-are-worst-drive/ |access-date=August 11, 2022 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=March 17, 2022}}

In 2025, the company reported that up to 60% of its sales are from drive-through traffic.{{Cite web |last=Wheatley |first=Thomas |date=August 21, 2024 |title=Chick-fil-A opens first-ever "elevated drive-thru" concept in metro Atlanta |url=https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/08/21/chick-fil-a-opening-elevated-drive-thru-atlanta |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=Axios |language=en}}

In 2016, Chick-fil-A pledged to use only cage-free eggs by 2026. In 2025, the company backtracked from this commitment, citing barriers such as industry dynamics and bird flu.{{Cite web |title=Does Chick-fil-A use cage-free eggs? |url=https://www.chick-fil-a.com/customer-support/our-food/quality-ingredients-and-sourcing/does-chick-fil-a-use-cage-free-eggs |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Chick-fil-A |language=en}}

Truett Cathy opened his first restaurant in 1946, The Dwarf Grill – later renamed the Dwarf House – in Hapeville, Georgia, and developed the pressure-cooked chicken breast sandwich there. At the original Chick-fil-A Dwarf Grill, there is also an extra small-sized front door in addition to the full-size entrances.{{cite web |last=Bovino |first=Arthur |title=Sandwich of the Week: Dwarf House Chick-fil-A, The Dwarf House in Atlanta – the original Chick-fil-A |url=http://www.thedailymeal.com/sandwich-week-chick-fil |work=The Daily Meal |date=May 23, 2011 |access-date=November 3, 2011 |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829120700/http://www.thedailymeal.com/sandwich-week-chick-fil |url-status=live }}

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 p.m. on Monday mornings and the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas. It has a larger dine-in menu than the other Dwarf House locations, and an animated seven-dwarf display is at the back of the restaurant. It was across the street from the former Ford Motor Company factory called Atlanta Assembly.

Opened in 1986, Truett's original, full-service restaurants offer a substantial menu and provide customers with table service, walk-up counter service, or a drive-thru window. There are currently five of the original eleven Chick-fil-A Dwarf House restaurants still operating in the metro Atlanta area, including Duluth, Riverdale, Jonesboro, Forest Park and Fayetteville.

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.truettsgrill.com/ |title=Truett's Grill |publisher=Truettsgrill.com |access-date=June 18, 2010 |date=n.d.|author= |archive-date=April 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420083112/http://www.truettsgrill.com/ |url-status=live }} 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 restaurant.{{cite web |url=http://www.cfarestaurant.com/truettsgrill-griffin/home |title=Chick-fil-A: Truett's Grill – Griffin |publisher=Cfarestaurant.com |access-date=June 18, 2010 |date=n.d. |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619154333/http://www.cfarestaurant.com/truettsgrill-griffin/home |archive-date=June 19, 2010 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cfarestaurant.com/truettsgrill-mcdonough/home |title=Chick-fil-A: Truett's Grill – McDonough |publisher=Cfarestaurant.com |access-date=June 18, 2010 |date=n.d. |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612064940/http://www.cfarestaurant.com/truettsgrill-mcdonough/home |archive-date=June 12, 2010 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cfarestaurant.com/truettsgrillmorrow/home |title=Chick-fil-A: Truett's Grill – Morrow |publisher=Cfarestaurant.com |access-date=June 18, 2010 |date=n.d. |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611175335/http://www.cfarestaurant.com/truettsgrillmorrow/home |archive-date=June 11, 2010 |url-status=dead}} In 2017, Chick-fil-A demolished several Dwarf House locations to replace them with Truett's Grill locations.{{cite news|last1=Campbell|first1=Sarah Ray|title=Chick-fil-A explains changes|url=http://times-herald.com/news/2017/04/chick-fil-a-exec-explains-changes|access-date=August 15, 2017|work=The Newnan Times-Herald|date=April 1, 2017|archive-date=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815062636/http://times-herald.com/news/2017/04/chick-fil-a-exec-explains-changes|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Staff Reports|title=Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House to be Demolished, Popeyes Set to be Burger King|url=http://coosavalleynews.com/2017/05/chick-fil-a-dwarf-house-to-be-demolished-popeyes-set-to-be-burger-king/|access-date=August 15, 2017|work=Coosa Valley News|date=May 16, 2017|archive-date=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815101532/http://coosavalleynews.com/2017/05/chick-fil-a-dwarf-house-to-be-demolished-popeyes-set-to-be-burger-king/|url-status=live}}

Truett's Chick-fil-A is designed in honor of founder S. Truett Cathy. The restaurant is decorated with family photos and favorite quotes of the restaurant founder. The restaurant offers drive-thru, counter, and sit-down service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are four locations including Newnan, Rome, Stockbridge, and Woodstock, Georgia.{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Joe Parker |title=Chick-fil-A Truett's to open Thursday |url=https://www.tribuneledgernews.com/local_news/chick-fil-a-truett-s-to-open-thursday/article_49be3fa2-22d3-11ec-bad2-ebfad7ee67e0.html |access-date=October 13, 2022 |work=Cherokee Tribune Ledger News |date=October 1, 2021 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=About Truett's Chick-fil-A |url=https://www.chick-fil-a.com/about/s-truett-cathy-brand-restaurants/truetts-chick-fil-a |website=Chick-fil-A |language=en}}

Truett Cathy visited Hawaii; at the age of 92, he opened Truett's Luau in Fayetteville, Georgia, in 2013.{{Cite web |title=We tried the 'Hawaiian Chick-fil-A' that's not actually a Chick-fil-A |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/05/10/chick-fil-a-hawaii-truetts-luau/11759548002/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} The menu includes island favorites with a southern US spin. The restaurant offers sit-down, counter, and drive-thru service.

{{Gallery

|title =Dwarf House and Truett's Grill in Griffin, Georgia

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| align =center

| height =200

| File:Chick-fil-a Dwarf House entrance, Griffin.JPG|Chick-fil-a Dwarf House entrance, Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia

| File:Truett's Grill, Griffin.JPG|Truett's Grill, 1455 N Express Way, Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia

| File:Chick-fil-a Dwarf House, Griffin.JPG|Chick-fil-a Dwarf House, Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia

}}

File:Chick-fil-a. (48689587313).jpg

The Cathy family has run Chick-fil-A since the restaurant chain's founding in 1946; {{As of|2021|lc=y}} it was being led by the third generation of the Cathy family.{{Cite web |last=Maze |first=Jonathan |date=September 16, 2021 |title=Dan Cathy steps down as Chick-fil-A CEO |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/leadership/dan-cathy-steps-down-chick-fil-ceo}}

1. S. Truett Cathy (1946–2013)
2. Dan Cathy (2013– )

1. S. Truett Cathy (1946–2013)
2. Dan Cathy (2013–2021)
3. Andrew T. Cathy (2021– )

1. Jimmy Collins (1968–2001)
2. Tim Tassopoulos (2016.–2023)
3. Susannah Frost (2024– )

In 2018, the most-ordered item was the waffle fries, followed by soft drinks, chicken nuggets, and the original chicken sandwich.{{cite web|url=https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/food/chick-fil-as-most-ordered-menu-items-of-2018|title=Chick-fil-A's most-ordered menu items of 2018|first1=Sabrina|last1=Lewis|website=Chick-fil-A|language=en|access-date=April 6, 2020|archive-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406173420/https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/food/chick-fil-as-most-ordered-menu-items-of-2018|url-status=live}} Chick-fil-A's website lists all menu items and nutrition information.{{cite web|url=https://www.chick-fil-a.com/|title=Chick-fil-A - Home of the Original Chicken Sandwich|website=Chick-fil-A|language=en|access-date=April 6, 2020|archive-date=April 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405163649/https://www.chick-fil-a.com/|url-status=live}}

• List of chicken restaurants

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Category:Companies based in Fulton County, Georgia

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Category:Hapeville, Georgia

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