Because of the great Story about Chick-fil-a and everything they are about we had to do a Fun Facts About Chick-fil-A Article. Enjoy and share this! There are the concerns about Seed Oils and better things they can add to the Chicken (batter ingredients themselves) but over-all there are some great things to be said about this Fast Food Chain that is serving up the Chickin non-stop (except on Sundays).
1. Starting with the Name, “Chick-Fil-A”; you probably know that is means “Chicken Filet”. But did you know that the “A” is added for the “Grade A Quality”? So Chicken Filet that is Grade A Quality.
Now we have been getting reports of Chick-Fil-A having Stringy “Lab Grown Feel” Chicken. This is something that seems to be posing on Social Media. And we have YET to see this as a real thing. So more or less, someone devious is out there spreading Social Media Rumors. Like Competition, or just people click baiting. And we all LOVE our Chick-Fil-A, but let’s be real. If they did anything and we didn’t like it, they would INSTANTLY fix it. As they have always.
Did you know they tested Chicken Wings? In certain areas. Yes. And guess what, no one liked them as compared to what they already perfected in the Chicken Filet, the Chicken Nuggets, and the Chicken Strips. They just are best in that LANE of the Chicken.
2. Something we all Know, Because its the Day we Seemingly Always Crave it! They are closed every Sunday!
This has become One of the most famous business decisions ever for Chick-Fil-A. And they are adored for it ever since. There are jokes that repeat all the time of “Get a Food Truck and Part it Next to a Chick-Fil-A on Sundays and Call it “Side Chick” to help those needing the Chicken on the Lord’s Day. And while its cute, we all respect it. And you can be sure that come Monday you are rearing to get some of what you couldn’t get on Sunday.
Note: Chick-Fil-A gave up 52 business days every year and still became one of the top revenue fast-food chains. They do not need to be open 24-7 and not every day to be a huge winner. Not to mention, they have employees that are always off on Sunday to be with their Family.
3. Did you Know that the cows have names!
These are not just Random Mascots, oh not even close. They have Names. These famous and long time standing icons of American Restaurant Genius; The “Eat Mor Chikin” cows have Names! And they are as American as you can get!
Here is a few, and there are more:
- Freedom Cow
- Carrots Cow
- Daisy Cow
This Campaign Started in 1995 and has been a HUGE Success. So much, they probably will never leave it. We have all fallen udderly in Love with these “Eat Mor Chikin” Cows!
4. They invented the chicken sandwich! But we will specify what that means:
They did invent the boneless pressure-cooked chicken sandwich that is in the fast-food format back in the early 1960s. See the Story of this More Here and they set the tone for Fast Food Chicken, not just Burgers at a time that accepted it and allowed it to really flourish. I am here thinking about Polynesian Sauce on their Waffle Fries and their Chicken Strips now.
5. They Call Their Franchise Owners “Operators” and they do things far differently than say a McDonalds’ or Burger King, or almost all other Fast Food Chains. And it is not easy Becoming an Operator.
We have more on this here in our Origination Story of Chick-Fil-A. Though it is said that Getting a Chick-fil-A location is reportedly more selective than many universities with thousands of Applications coming in Yearly. To which a small percentage ever become Operators of a Chick-Fil-A.
FUN FACT ADDITION TO THIS: There is a “First 100” Event where you can get Free Chick-fil-a for a year!
This is a Historic Fact. And while it has changed a bit, this is how it has worked. When a new Chick-fil-A opened, many locations held a “First 100” Event and Community Focus on their New Location. This would have people camping out overnight, or for upwards of weeks at a time for this happening.
Free Chick-Fil-A for a Year has been typically 52 Free Meals or Sandwhiches (Roughly one per week for a year). I have witnessed this on 3 Occasions and it always amazes me at the Turnout and the Community Support behind it. Next follows long and fast served lines that never seem to die down. They just do it right! But it is something when you see those tents set up. It is like… Oh this is about to open!
Apparently though; Today, Chick-fil-A generally focuses on recognizing 100 local Community Heroes when they are opening up a new restaurant. Those selected receive free entrées for a year and the Local Charities often receive support. I can add, that Chick-Fil-A was generous to Little League in our Area. We got Free Food and a Free Catered Party for the Team Yearly. Unbelievably Awesome, and Quite the “Love Forward” to all.
6. The Original Dwarf House (Where Chick-Fil-A Became) still exists
The first restaurant, where it all started, opened in 1946. This still operates in Hapeville, Georgia. See more in our Origination Story of Chick-Fil-A. And you can order things off their Menu that are not available in the regular Chick-Fil-A Restaurants. In other words, if you are in the Area, go Check It Out!
7. The “My Pleasure” has became legendary!
You will notice that Employees often respond: “My pleasure” instead of “you’re welcome.” There are even Social Media Parodies about this. And they are funny. The Story Told is that the leadership
The story often told is that leadership admired the hospitality experience at luxury hotels and adapted the awesome concepts into their Service and it has been Amazing. (Yeah, I’ll say Amazing a lot with Chick-Fil-A).
8. Lemonade is Made Completely Fresh
Their lemonade is (very well) made from:
- Lemons
- Water
- Sugar
Pressed “In Store” not Shipped. Amazing!
9. They once had Sit-Down Restaurants
The Dwarf House locations included diner-style service. And this included unusual menu items compared with normal stores.
10. Their drive-thru system is the “Bar” and has became famous
Chick-fil-A helped popularize the following (and they are huge):
- Outside Order Takers
- Tablet Ordering
- Traffic Directors
- Multi-lane Queue Systems
This is where it began and it is copied by Chains all over now. Including McDonald’s.
11. The Pickle Placement Does Matter
The classic sandwich (traditionally since creation) has two pickles. And this is something that if it is changed, fans do notice.
12. Chick-fil-A Sauce Was An Accident
The famous sauce reportedly came from mixing:
- Honey Mustard
- BBQ
- Ranch-Style flavors
All during restaurant experimentations.
13. Waffle Fries were Chosen on Purpose
Here are the Benefits and Reasons for Chosing Waffle Cut Fries: (Note having a Cross in the Waffle Cut is not Part of It, though we appreciate the Symbolistic Rememberance anyway).
- They Hold Sauces Well (This is Key for me and my Love for Polynesian Sauce on my Fries and my Chicken)
- They are a Stand Out from other Fast Food Fries (Some Restaurants have Copied this as well)
- They are a Signature Item that is part of Chick-Fil-A and the Fans Love them!
The Waffle Cut Shape has become a part of their brand identity.
14. Chick-fil-A sauce was originally local
The Totally Famous Sauce was first created at one restaurant in Virginia. Then it became something available in all Chick-Fil-A Restaurants. It is sold in Grocery Stores across America. And it is easily on of the most recognized restaurant sauces.
15. They are huge on Scholarships
To dat and ongoing; Chick-fil-A has awarded millions in scholarships to employees. This is done through programs such as the Remarkable Futures initiative. With many employees using it for their assistance with College Costs.
16. The Cows Intentionally Spell “badly”Incorrectly or Badly” (In Case you Wondered)
Such as “Eat Mor Chikin”. The absolute hilarious antics of these Famous Cows convincing you to eat chicken instead of Beef. It is genus.
17. Their Mascot Campaign is Decades Old
Starting in 1995, the Cow Campaign began. And it is going Strong. Probably forever at this point. Far more than an Unusual Longevity in Advertising. It is permanent branding, recognition and has become a part of our Culture.
18. Chick-fil-A has some Secret and Unusual Menu “Hacks”:
Fans do things like:
- Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. This is a Chicken Sandwich with Buffalo Sauce
- Frosted Lemonade. This is Lemonade (Diet or Regular) with IceDream
- Frosted Coffee. This is Coffee with IceDream
- Spicy Buscuit and Combinations
- All the Sauces with the Sandwiches Really. I go with Polynesian. And probably use too much, but I love it anyway.
The Frosted is on the Menu at Many Locations.
19. IceDream (since we have brought it up now) is not Ice Cream technically.
Because it does not meet the butterfat requirements for traditional ice cream, IceDream is thier Dessert Option, and as we covered above, Frosted Coffee and Frosted Lemonade is a great Twist with the Menu Items.
20. Some Chick-Fil-A Restaurants are Huge!
Certain locations have some or many of the Following:
- Double Drive-Thrus: And these can be steady-busy most of the day!
- Elevated Kitchens
- Delivery Lanes, And they streamline and keep the order, filling the orders and moving people through efficiently.
- Pickup Systems
- Multiple Floors. Allowing for a lot of sit down customers. And they still
This is how its done. Seriously. When you want to see how to run a Fast Food Restaurant, just look to Chick-Fil-A.