evaluation essay on chick fil a

Operational Management Problem Faced by Chick-fil-A Evaluation Essay

History of the organization, company perceived business strategy, business process that needs significant improvement, changes to make, main barrier, implementation plan, reference list.

With over 1500 outlets across 38 states, chic-fil-A Inc is the United States’ second largest chicken-based restaurant chain with an estimated value of $1billion. Its restaurants are run according to a special agreement with operators and seek to build partnerships rather than selling franchises. The company’s success is built around the Chick-fil-A sandwich invented in the 1960s by the establishment’s founder, Truett Cathy.

It’s a private company based in Atlanta, incorporated in 1964 and currently employing over 57, 000 people. The 2009 sales revenue amounted to $ 3.2b representing an 8.6% rise over the previous year’s with a 2.54% rise in same store sales. Chick-fil-A Inc dates back to 1946 when two brothers, Truett and Ben Cathy, opened a small restaurant called Dwarf House in Hapeville, southern Atlanta, at the cost of $10600.

Faced with the heavy bureaucracies, the post world war credit difficulties as well as the 1929 stock market crash that ruined their father’s fortune, the two brothers had a modest and difficult beginning (Spain, 2010).

Ben died in 1949 in a plane crash leaving Truett to singly run the business. In 1951, he opened another restaurant at the nearby forest park that would be gutted down in a fire eight years later without sufficient insurance to put it back up.

Partly inspired by Chicago’s Li’l Abner restaurants and the belief in the imminent rise of the fast foods industry, Truett set up another restaurant in Forest Park with $ 90,000 borrowed from a local bank (Jack, 2001). During this time, the firm’s characteristic boneless chicken sandwich that edged out hamburgers off the menus was invented by Truett.

Enjoying success and with great prospects for growth, Chick-fil-A was incorporated in 1964. In 1967, the first Chick-fil- A restaurant was opened at S. Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall to cater for shoppers who until then went shopping to malls but had to go elsewhere to eat because there were no restaurants in malls.

Atlanta experienced remarkable growth and with it grew Forest Park, Hapeville and the airport renamed Hartsville.

Chick-fil-A grew tremendously too, driven in part by its characteristic sandwich, strong leadership and personnel as well as the growth in shopping malls, in which the restaurants were located, that it had seven restaurants by 1971, across Carolina and Georgia and by 1974, it had over 21 restaurants.

This paper analyzes operational management problem faced by Chick-fil-A and what the company can do to cure the problem (Camillus, 2008).

The restaurants use different mechanisms to remain competitive in the changing hospitality industry. It franchises its brand name to various companies across the globe but is concerned about the quality given by these brands. The company cannot be said to have a specific class or group of people that it targets in its production but basically it aims at the whole family production.

There are packages that are said to fit more to the young generation, that is, the youth and there are those that are meant for children. Products are divided into different sizes to cater for the economic welfare of the people thus the well to do and the less fortunate in the society can fit. Innovation and creativity is embraced at almost all stages in production to ensure that the company produces customer satisfactory products.

Chick-fil-A adopts a unique marketing strategy away from the traditional marketing strategy. There is the invention of online marketing and deviation from mass marketing. Online marketing involve using tools of social networks like face book and twitter. The reason for the move is for the company to align itself with the changing population which is increasingly using technology.

When creating a market segment, marketing managers should interpolate the market adequately so as they can devise marketing strategies that can persuade the target customer. Traditional mass marketing has been changed. When developing a marketing strategy, there is need to understand 4Ps of marketing.

To ensure that there is quality in manufactured products the company has an effective supply chain management. Different suppliers offer different quality of goods; the available information about the value of goods from a certain customer are interpolated.

One of the major aims of Chick-fil-A supply chain management is to ensure that goods used in manufacturing are of the right quality and quantity; this goes ahead as it is reflected in the final products of the company. It has an integrated purchase system, where it aims at interpolating the demands for good that it has for a certain period of time.

It is not always that a supply is constant throughout the year however it varies with time and season. After understanding the amount required at a particular time Gantt charts are used to interpolate data and form the background of the case. Computers are used to give data analysis of the trend in supplies required.

Chick-fil-A adopts a TQM management policy. This is a system where a company ensures that it vets all its processes and department for the betterment of the entire organization. It aims at ensuring that all stake holders in an organization benefit from the firm. The organizational culture adopted to ensure that an organization can adopt changes effectively.

Organizational structure should be made in such a way that all departments can integrate efficiently and enhance supervision. When departments communicate effectively, they create a level of efficiency in the entire organization. An organization requires both human and physical resources for its operations.

Management should ensure that these resources have been blend in the most productive manner. This will ensure that there is maximum resource utilization. Human resources are the drives of an organization and thus they should be treated well (Gurvis, 2007).

With globalization, competition has gone a step higher; the hospitality industry is one of the most affected sectors. Traditionally, sales were aimed at creating awareness of existence of a product in the market. However, functions of sales have increased to develop a company-customer relationship. C

ustomer loyalty and building a strong brand name are the advanced objectives of sales. The problem that is facing modern hospitality industry is how to develop their sales associates to align them with the new development in the industry.

Chick-fil-A needs to change its approach in marketing and sales to adopt the new system in the market. The focus has shifted to a more customer services. The following are the objectives that Chick-fil-A should have;

• To determine the factors that influences the long-term “buyer-seller” relationship development in the hospitality company
• To identify the innate and leaned characteristics, skill and capabilities required for sales success in the company
• To understand the impact that the changing marketplace has on the sales management process within the realm of hospitality
• To analyze Chick-fil-A sales associates overall effectiveness both at the corporate level and at each of its respective hotels
• To tailor a standard Training and Development system for sales associates that meets the industry requirements while remaining loyal to Chick-fil-A mission and core values.

To remain competitive, Chick-fill-A Inc must ensure that it has efficient internal processes. To create efficiency, there is need to interpolate all process and calculate the collation between a number of process. Areas of deficiency are recognized and rectified.

To maintain competitiveness in today’s hospitality industry, hotels must focus on the kind of employees that they deploy. They should vet new entrants. Good human resource manager should ensure that he should understand sales person capabilities and how to utilize them for the benefit of the company.

After entry the story should not end there, training should follow. To have an effective sales team, they must be enthusiastic and hold a positive attitude at all time. This will only be attained if the sales manager develops measures to assist his team to be enthusiastic and positive minded.

In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson “nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm”. As much as possible staffs that can influence or persuade effectively should be deployed. Since to make a good sales person involves in-born traits and nurturing, training and development should be done continuously.

To easily persuade, previous success stories should be explained to the potential customer. Any extra services offered by the hotel should be used as a tool of persuasion. An example of extra service may be a professional talk at a staff meeting offered for free by the hotel for a certain period of time.

Secondly, sales associates should be taught on how to keep in touch with past success. They should understand what is happening in the trade of their past customers and visit them regularly. At the visit they pose as business partners as they discuss what the customers trade is doing and establishing any assistance that their hotel can accord to the customer; this calls for a lot of research on the part of sales people.

There are established loyal customers and an assumption should not be made that they will remain loyal, but they should be visited. In the visit general things are discussed in line with the business. Although the reason for the visit is actually to keep truck and sell, it should not be seen on the face. If there is anything that the hotel can do to improve the current condition of the loyal customer, an offer to do so should be given (Fred, 2008).

The barriers to change selling strategy are organizational culture and communication barriers. The first step in successful sales strategy is to identify the communication channels to use in coaching sales staffs. This can be through brainstorming where challenges facing the business can be identified. Such challenges can be obtained through reviewing the day to day activities of the business.

Some questions may serve as a guide line, these include: Have employees been provided with a good working environment? Are they happy with what they are doing?

Has the business been able to satisfy all the clients? Is proper information provided to all stakeholders? Is there good flow of conversations? Organizational culture is a set of beliefs that exists in an organization and determines how the employees interact with each other as well as how the workers respond to a certain situation. Culture of an organization determines how employees are going to perceive change.

Chick-fil-A exhibits strong growth opportunities through their corporate culture. This can help the organization to increase its sales in the domestic market. According to Pepper (1995), quality assurance is one of Chick-fil-A’s policies and therefore focusing on quality improvement strengthens growth capabilities of the organization.

In addition, branding and multi-branding will enable the organization to increase the market share of the company’s products and as a result high sales volume will be recorded. When implementing the new selling approach, there should be a focus on individual understanding of the needed change. All people should be involved in decision making.

New product development is an essential activity that increases the competitive advantage of any organization and also enables the organization to increase its market share control. Chick-fil-A needs to increase its focus on research and development to ensure that it maintains the lead in the provision of a variety of services. The way customers are approached is brainstormed and the most effective way devised.

Currently, Chick-fil-A concentrates only in the domestic US market as opposed to its competitors. Therefore, market penetration and development is needed to ensure that it serves a wider region including international markets.

Involving old/loyal customer is important as they will give more information about how the trends are changing. They can give information on the approach taken by other companies in the industry a move that will assist in choosing the most efficient strategy to use (Collis and Rusted, 2008).

Implementation timescales

Camillus, J.C. 2008. Strategy as a wicked problem. Harvard Business Review. 86(5), 98-106

Collis, D.J and Rukstad, M.G. 2008. Can you say what your strategy is?” Harvard Business Review, 86(4), 82-90

Fred, D. 2008. Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases . New Jersey, Pearson Education.

Gurvis, S. 2007. Management Basics: A Practical Guide for Managers . London, Adams Media.

Jack, E. 2001. Management Communication: The threats of group think.Corporate communications. International Journal, 183-192.

Pepper, G. L. 1995. Communication in Organizations: A Cultural Approach. Boston, McGraw Hill.

Spain, W. 2010. High Demand, Weak Dollar Boost McDonalds Revenues Web. Available at: Market watch http// www.marketwatch.com

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2019, October 3). Operational Management Problem Faced by Chick-fil-A. https://ivypanda.com/essays/operational-management-problem-faced-by-chick-fil-a/

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IvyPanda . 2019. "Operational Management Problem Faced by Chick-fil-A." October 3, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/operational-management-problem-faced-by-chick-fil-a/.

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Operational Management Problem Faced by Chick-fil-A." October 3, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/operational-management-problem-faced-by-chick-fil-a/.

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Chick Fil a Business Analysis

This essay about Chick-fil-A’s net worth explores the financial success and strategic decisions that have shaped the fast-food giant’s valuation. Focusing on Chick-fil-A’s unique business model, which includes a distinctive franchise system and ownership of restaurants, the essay highlights how these factors contribute to the company’s operational efficiency and sales performance. Despite being privately held, estimates suggest Chick-fil-A’s net worth is in the billions, supported by its high sales volumes, strategic expansion, and innovation in digital ordering and menu development. The essay also touches on Chick-fil-A’s corporate culture and community engagement efforts as key components of its brand equity and overall valuation. Through strategic growth initiatives and a commitment to quality and service, Chick-fil-A has established itself as a financial powerhouse in the American fast-food sector, with its net worth reflecting its position as an industry leader.

How it works

Chick-fil-A, the American fast-food behemoth known for its signature chicken sandwiches and unwavering commitment to customer service, has carved out a significant niche in the competitive restaurant industry. Beyond its culinary offerings, Chick-fil-A’s business model, corporate ethos, and strategic growth initiatives have played pivotal roles in its financial success. This essay delves into the net worth of Chick-fil-A, exploring the financial fabric and strategic decisions that have shaped its valuation over the years.

Founded in 1946 by S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A has grown from a single diner in Hapeville, Georgia, to a nationwide chain with over 2,400 locations across the United States.

Unlike many of its competitors, Chick-fil-A has remained a privately held company, with the Cathy family retaining ownership. This private status often shrouds the exact details of its financials in mystery; however, industry estimates and financial analyses provide insight into its impressive economic footprint.

Chick-fil-A’s net worth is intricately tied to its unique business model and operational strategies. The company operates on a franchise system, but with a twist; instead of selling franchises, it selects operators to run restaurants, maintaining ownership of the restaurant itself. This model allows for rigorous quality control and a consistent customer experience, hallmarks of the Chick-fil-A brand. Financially, this approach has paid dividends, with the company achieving remarkable sales volumes per store, far outpacing many of its competitors in the fast-food sector.

Financial analysts estimate Chick-fil-A’s net worth to be in the billions, a testament to its robust sales performance and strategic growth. Despite being closed on Sundays, a policy rooted in the founder’s Christian beliefs, Chick-fil-A has managed to outperform many competitors in annual sales. This financial prowess is further bolstered by the company’s strategic expansion and innovation strategies. For instance, Chick-fil-A has invested heavily in digital ordering technology, drive-thru efficiency, and menu innovation to meet evolving consumer preferences, ensuring sustained growth and profitability.

Moreover, Chick-fil-A’s corporate culture and commitment to community engagement have contributed to its brand equity, a crucial component of its net worth. The company invests in leadership training, employee development, and scholarship programs, fostering a loyal and dedicated workforce that drives operational excellence. Community engagement initiatives, ranging from disaster relief efforts to food donations, reinforce the company’s reputation as a socially responsible entity, endearing it to consumers and enhancing its overall valuation.

In conclusion, Chick-fil-A’s net worth is a reflection of its unique business model, operational excellence, and strategic growth initiatives. While exact figures are closely held, industry estimates underscore the company’s financial success, driven by high sales volumes, operational efficiency, and a strong brand identity. As Chick-fil-A continues to expand and innovate, its financial footprint is likely to grow, further cementing its position as a powerhouse in the American fast-food landscape. The company’s journey from a single diner to a multibillion-dollar entity is a compelling narrative of entrepreneurial vision, strategic innovation, and unwavering commitment to values, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of building and sustaining financial worth in the competitive restaurant industry.

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Home — Essay Samples — Business — Mcdonald's — Mcdonalds Vs Chick Fil A

Mcdonalds Vs Chick Fil a

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Published: Mar 19, 2024

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Table of contents

Corporate values and ethical considerations, menu offerings and nutritional value, customer service and experience, societal impact and community involvement.

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Chick-Fil-A Essay Samples

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Company , Business , Social Issues , Bible , Organization , LGBT , People , Love

Words: 1375

Published: 2021/02/20

Chick-fil-A is a company that has practiced biblical values in its business since the company was begun. The company’s founder S. Truett Cathy was a very religious person and he brought his religious beliefs into the business. The company has a strong corporate culture that is based on biblical values. Biblical values are displayed all over the company. The company does not open on Sunday, and people are of the opinion that it is losing out on revenues that it would have made if it opened on Sundays. The company was subjected to a major controversy that involved the issue of same-sex marriages. The company was in favor of a traditional marriage as defined by the Bible. Some of the companies that had business ties Chick-fil-A cut their ties with the company so as to avoid the criticisms. Eventually, the company made statements saying that it was not going to get involved in issues that concerned the government and politicians. The case of Chick-fil-A enables other companies to learn valuable lessons.

Introduction

Chick-fil-A is an American company that has a large number of fast food restaurants. The company area of specialization is chicken sandwiches. The company has a strong culture that is influenced by religion and biblical values. All the Chick-fil-A restaurants do not open on Sundays so that people can go to church and worship God. The company has also being involved in a controversy concerning its CEO’s public statements about same-sex marriage. America is a free country that is against discrimination of any kind. Chick-fil-A has been facing challenges concerning its focus on upholding biblical values. The corporate culture at Chick-fil-A is guided by the principles of the Bible.

Company Background

Chick-fil-A is a company that originated from Dwarf Grill. Dwarf Grill is presently known as Dwarf House. The restaurant was founded by S. Truett Cathy (CFA, 2015). Truett founded the restaurant near an assembly plant for Ford Motor Company in Atlanta. The people working at the plant were the first clients of the restaurant, and they became patriotic towards it. Truett worked on the fast food business for a period of 15 years before discovering a pressure fryer that was able to cook the chicken sandwich in a very short time. This discovery made him register a company under the name Chick-fil-A Inc. The main item on the company’s menu was the chicken sandwich. In the beginning, Truett named his sandwich as chicken steak sandwich, but he felt that the name was not very appealing. He figured that using fillet in the name will be more attractive to the customers because the fillet forms a very good part of the meat. He came up with the name Chick-fil-A where chick represents chicken, fil represents the fillet, and A represents a high grade based on quality. In the year 1967, Truett opened the very first Chick-fil-A restaurant at a suburb in Atlanta. The business expanded and many franchises were opened within food courts in malls. The first standalone franchise was opened in the year 1986. The company started focusing on the standalone franchises and opened many of them. The company has also opened restaurants at areas where you are served as you drive through the location. Hospitals, airports, and universities have Chick-fil-A restaurants that are subjected to licensing agreements. The company uses a business model that is different from most companies that carry out franchise businesses. Chick-fil-A retains ownership of the franchises that are developed. The company chooses the location of the restaurant and builds the restaurant. Franchisees from other companies usually pay about $2 million when they want to open a franchise restaurant. In the case of franchisees from Chick-fil-A, they only need to invest $10,000 for them to operate (CFA, 2015). Every year, the company opens between 60 and 70 franchises. It gets applications from franchises ranging between 10,000 and 25,000. The company has been able to collect larger revenues compared to its competitors. The franchisees of Chick-fil-A have also been able to collect good money from their operations.

Discussion of the Biblical Values held by the Company

Truett was a very religious man attending the Southern Baptist Church. The religious beliefs he held impacted heavily on the culture of the company (Green, 2014). The company has an official corporate statement of purpose that states that the purpose of the business is “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.” The religious beliefs held by Truett are also responsible for the fact that all the Chick-fil-A restaurants do not open on Sundays, Christmas, and Thanksgiving Day. That goes for all the restaurants owned by the company as well as its franchises (Novack, 2012). The business model adopted by Chick-fil-A makes it easy to enforce such rules. Ownership of the franchises is retained by the company; therefore, the franchisees cannot operate freely according to their own rules (CFA, 2015). Truett says that when he started the business he wanted to achieve financial success, but not to the extent that he would abandon his priorities and principles. He says that closing the business on Sunday is aimed at honoring God and getting the time to focus on other important things in life. The current CEO of Chick-fil-A is Dan T. Cathy who is the son of Truett Cathy (Novack, 2012). Dan Cathy says that another reason for closing on Sunday is based on the fact that Truett was usually worn out by the time it reached Sunday and he just wanted to rest. Sunday was usually a slow day in business during the time that the company was being founded. Truett closed his business from the very first Sunday, and has never opened the business on Sunday. Dan Cathy also says that his father did not like working on Sunday and that he was quoted several times saying that it is not good to make people do what you yourself are not willing to do. He figured that if he did not like working on Sunday other people should also not work on Sunday (HP, 2012). The website of Chick-fil-A has a statement that says that the service tradition and culture of the company is to ensure that all people are treated with respect, dignity, and honor irrespective of their gender, creed, race, belief, and sexual orientation (CFA, 2015). However, the company has been involved in a controversy involving the issue of same-sex marriage. Media news reported that Chick-fil-A was a co-sponsor to a conference held about marriage. One of the co-sponsors of the marriage conference was an organization referred to as the Pennsylvania Family Institute (PFI). PFI was opposed towards the legislation of same-sex marriage. The company responded by saying that one of its restaurant operators had been asked to supply sandwiches to two marriage seminars. Truett and his wife had also started a charitable organization called WinShape Foundation that held marriage retreats. The organization stated that couples who were of the same sex would not be allowed to participate in the marriage retreats held by the organization. The WinShape Foundation is also said to have made donations worth millions to organizations that were against LGBT rights. The activists of LGBT rights called out for a nationwide boycott from the Chick-fil-A restaurants (Evans, 2012). Counter-protesters reacted by flocking at the Chick-fil-A restaurants and supporting the company by buying and eating there. Chick-fil-A is said to have made very high volumes of sales during that period. However, some of the business partners of Chick-fil-A did not want to be caught up in the midst of these fights, and they cut their ties with the company. One of the companies that wanted to cut its ties with Chick-fil-A was the Jim Henson Company. This company specialized in making toys that were given to kids as part of the meals they purchased. The Jim Henson Company threatened to end its business relationship with Chick-fil-A and donate the payments it received towards an organization that was against the defamation of gays and lesbians. Chick-fil-A stopped the distribution of these toys saying that several safety concerns had been raised about these toys over a period of time. Some of the donations that were made by WinShape were towards Christian organizations that had agendas that were against gays. Other funds were sent to groups that handled marriage and family issues. One of the organizations that benefitted from funds received from WinShape was Exodus International. Exodus International was in support of therapy offered to people who converted from being gay. There was uproar from students in universities and colleges. They rallied for the removal and banning of the Chick-fil-A restaurants that were located in the universities and campuses. Dan Cathy made public statements that were not well received by the public. The statements he made supported the traditional form of a family (Novack, 2012). He criticized supporters of same-sex marriages by saying that God’s judgment would fall on the American nation due to those people who were trying to define marriage that is contrary to the biblical definition. The company received a lot of disapproval from major politicians. Politicians in Boston and Chicago said that they would block the expansion of the Chick-fil-A restaurants into the Boston and Chicago areas. The protest that countered the boycott protests from the activists of the LGBT rights was started by Mike Huckabee who was the governor of Arkansas. He retaliated by starting a movement called Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day (Flax, 2012). Many people confirmed their participation by sending RSVPs on Facebook. The total number of people who confirmed their participation was more than 600,000. The Chick-fil-A restaurants gained a lot of support from the public and broke their sales records. Two days later, the same-sex activists held a protest labeled Same-Sex Kiss Day (Novack, 2012). The LGBT people were supposed to kiss at the Chick-fil-A restaurants where their supporters would donate an amount equivalent to the cost of the meals served at the Chick-fil-A restaurants. These donations would go towards supporting the gay rights groups. Chick-fil-A issued a statement after the nationwide protests saying that it was going to stay out of the debate concerning same-sex marriages. The company said that it was best to leave such debates to the politicians and the government. The company acted by stopping its donations towards organizations that were publicly criticized. Chick-fil-A made its announcement through The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA) that it would not donate to any organization that promoted discrimination. They specified discrimination against LGBT civil rights since this had caused a major controversy to the company. The officials at Chick-fil-A said that they were going to treat each person equally irrespective of their sexual orientation (CFA, 2015). The WinShape Foundation carefully scrutinizes each organization they are considering to help so that they do not end up funding organizations that have political agendas. Chick-fil-A and WinShape have continued making donations to groups that support biblical definitions as long as these groups do not discriminate people. The company says that it did not succumb to the pressure of the same-sex marriage activists, but rather sought to promote fair treatment to all people. The company did not want to get involved in the fights staged by politicians who held different views. Chick-fil-A is a company that upholds its biblical values in its corporate culture (HP, 2012). According to the Bible, God worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. That is why Chick-fil-A works for six days in a week and rest one day in the week. It can be argued that the seventh day falls on a Saturday, but the decision to rest on a Sunday is based on the fact that Truett attended a Southern Baptist Church. Most churches hold their services on Sundays. Companies that hold their businesses on Sunday experience slow days because most people prefer to go to church and spend time with their families. Another biblical value held by the company is the idea of a traditional marriage according to the definition of the Bible. Adam was the first man that was created by God and then Eve was created so that she could help him (NIV, 2011). Adam and Eve got children and thus the lineage of man has been continued over the years. In the new testament of the Bible, homosexuality is regarded as a sin. Chick-fil-A had a charitable foundation that held onto the idea of a traditional marriage. The controversy arose because this organization was sponsoring groups that were discriminating gay people. The company was caught in between a group of people who were fighting against each other (Flax, 2012). The company was easy prey because of the biblical values it holds. In business it is important to look deeply into the potential outcome of certain actions. The anti-gay organizations found an easy target in the form of Chick-fil-A because they knew that the company was charitable and would sponsor organizations that upheld biblical values. The company was being used as a source of funding without considering the potential impact on the company’s business. Some of the organizations that received funding were political organizations that were more focused on gaining popularity and winning the elections (Green, 2014).

Display of the Biblical Values within the Company

The headquarters of Chick-fil-A are located within a wooded area of land a few kilometers from Atlanta (Green, 2014). There is a statue of Jesus washing the feet of one of his disciples. The statue is supposed to symbolize the act of servant leadership. The entrance to the building has religious art as well as quotes from the Bible. There are also crosses being displayed at the entrance. Christianity is displayed openly at the premises of the company. Truett Cathy is known to have displayed biblical values in his business from the time he opened his first restaurant. The cups that are used to serve tea have Bible quotes (Green, 2014). Biblical values are also displayed in the company by the action of closing business on Sundays. Closing business on Sunday symbolizes honoring God and focusing on other things in life. The employees can go to church and spend time with their families on Sunday.

Lessons Learnt

The experiences of Chick-fil-A have provided a lot of lessons for other companies that want to succeed in business. The application of biblical values in the company is good, but it poses a lot of challenges that can lead to the failure of the business. It is very important for the company to look deeply into the actions it plans to undertake so that it can identify the potential impact of its actions. In the case of Chick-fil-A the company would have been able to know that people would not take kindly to the idea of discrimination. Big companies draw a lot of attention when they find themselves in the middle of major public issues. The CEO of Chick-fil-A should not have made public statements about the issue of same-sex marriage because it would affect the business. He needed to know that he represented the company and that his views about marriage would affect the people’s reaction towards the company. The best thing would have been to keep quiet or make a statement that was not judgmental. Each person has his or her own views about sexual orientation, and these views should be respected. Companies should avoid aligning themselves with public debates that have hot issues. The issue of LGBT rights is very sensitive and any indication of discrimination can have major negative consequences to the business. Politicians use major public issues to win elections. They flow with the views held by the people in the regions where they are seeking votes. Political organizations seek funding from companies so that they can influence a large group of people. Companies should avoid involving themselves in political issues because they can have devastating effects on their business.

Chick-fil-A is a company that has suffered major public criticism due to supporting organizations that are against sensitive public issues. The company is founded on biblical values that make it an easy target for issues such as same-sex marriages. The company’s success and charitable endeavors attract Christian organizations, political organizations, family organizations, and marriage organizations. Chick-fil-A values family and follows the guidance of the Bible. The company suffered a lot of criticisms due to the funds it donated to organizations that were against LGBT rights. The company was seeing as a promoter of discrimination against people. The supporters of the LGBT rights called for a boycott at the Chick-fil-A restaurants. The people against LGBT rights thronged at the restaurants so as to offer it support. The company was caught in the middle of two warring sides. The company had to stop funding organizations that were against LGBT rights for it to succeed in business. Chick-fil-A learnt a very important lesson from the controversy. The lesson was to leave sensitive debates to politicians and the government. Holding onto biblical values does not mean that a company will fail in business. It merely means that the company will have more challenges while tackling certain issues in the society. Biblical values have some good aspects that involve allowing employees to rest and enjoy Christian holidays. These values also enable employees to respect one another and develop a love for the company. Love and unity among the employees can lead to success in business. The employees are able to work together as a team and help each other whenever one person is stuck. Biblical values are good for business, but they need to be executed in a smart way.

CFA, (2015). Franchise Opportunities. Chick-fil-A Inc. Retrieved from: http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Company/Franchise-Opportunity Green, E., (2014, Sep 8). Chick-fil-A: Selling Chicken With a Side of God. The Atlantic. Retrieved from: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/09/chick-fil-a-selling-chicken-with-a-side-of-god/379776/ Novack, J., (2012, Aug 3). Chick-fil-A’s In Your Face Christian Credo is Old News. Forbes. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/janetnovack/2012/08/03/chick-fil-as-in-your-face-christian-credo-is-old-news/ Flax, B., (2012, Aug 2). A Christian-Libertarian’s Take on the Chick-fil-A Controversy. Forbes. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/billflax/2012/08/02/a-christian-libertarians-take-on-the-chick-fil-a-controversy/ Evans, R. H., (2012, Jul 30). Some Words for Christians on Both Sides of the Chick-fil-A War. RHE. Retrieved from: http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/chick-fil-a HP, (2012, Oct 3). Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A President Stresses Company’s Support of ‘Biblical’ Families. Huffington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/03/chick-fil-a-president-dan-cathy-biblical-families-_n_1935786.html NIV, (2011). Holy Bible. New International Version. London: Hodder and Stoughton.

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The history of Chick-fil-A: How a Southern restaurant chain became a culinary icon

W ith its iconic red and white signage, Chick-fil-A stands as a symbol of hospitality and quality, cherished in communities from coast to coast.

The company has a history of dedication to customer service and a commitment to excellence, making it a popular fixture in the American fast-food industry.

Read on to learn more about the journey and values that have shaped Chick-fil-A into the culinary favorite that it is today.

CHICK-FIL-A SET TO SWITCH FROM ANTIBIOTIC-FREE CHICKEN

Chick-fil-A was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. The chain's first location opened inside Atlanta's Greenbriar Shopping Center, now known as Greenbriar Mall, in Georgia.

Cathy, an entrepreneur with a passion for quality food and hospitality, dreamed of creating a dining experience that would leave a lasting impression on customers. 

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His innovative approach to fast food soon garnered attention, setting Chick-fil-A on a trajectory toward becoming a household name.

For more than 50 years, the company has expanded its footprint to include thousands of locations nationwide.

Today, Chick-fil-A leads the industry with the highest same-store sales figures and holds the title of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the United States.

Chick-fil-A was founded on biblical principals that Cathy believed were not only ethically sound, but necessary for successful business operations.

Since 1982, the company has followed a specific corporate purpose: "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."

This corporate purpose is displayed at each restaurant location, serving as a constant reminder to both employees and customers about what values are guiding the company.

It also serves as a compass for each facet of the company's operations, from menu selections to employee development initiatives.

CHICK-FIL-A LAUNCHING MANHATTAN RESTAURANT WITH MOBILE PICKUP AND DELIVERY ONLY

Chick-fil-A's founder made the decision to close on Sundays when he opened his first restaurant in Georgia.

Having worked seven days a week in restaurants that were open 24 hours, Cathy saw the importance of reserving Sundays for rest, family time and religious observance.

As the company has grown and evolved over the years, it has continued to uphold this policy.

By continuing the tradition of being closed on Sundays, Chick-fil-A honors its commitment to operating in alignment with its founders' principles.

The approach also fosters a workplace culture that prioritizes the well-being of its employees and acknowledges the significance of work-life balance.

Chick-fil-A's founder, while visiting a high-end hotel, was moved by the genuine and heartfelt response he received from one of the hotel's employees when he expressed gratitude.

The employee's use of the phrase "My pleasure" left a lasting impression on Cathy, inspiring him to bring that same sense of warmth and hospitality to Chick-fil-A. 

Upon returning home, he decided to implement the practice of responding with "My pleasure" among Chick-fil-A operators, team members and corporate staff.

This simple yet powerful phrase has since become emblematic of Chick-fil-A's commitment to creating exceptional experiences for its customers, mirroring the level of care and attention that Cathy experienced during his trip.

CHICK-FIL-A LOSES BATTLE OVER PROPOSED 'MEGA' RESTAURANT IN SMALL TENNESSEE COMMUNITY

Chick-fil-A has an array of initiatives aimed at making a tangible difference in the communities they serve.

The company is known to donate $25,000 to food rescue organizations such as Second Harvest Canada or Feeding America each time a new Chick-fil-A building opens its doors.

Chick-fil-A's operators are also involved in the fight against hunger, with many donating surplus food from their establishments to local nonprofits through the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program.

These initiatives are an important part of the company's social responsibility goal of providing 200 million meals to communities.

Original article source: The history of Chick-fil-A: How a Southern restaurant chain became a culinary icon

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Why Chick-fil-A is the Best Fast-Food Concept But an Average Franchise Opportunity, According to One Industry Expert Discover the secrets behind Chick-fil-A's phenomenal success as a fast-food giant and why its franchise model, while unique, may not fit every entrepreneur's vision.

By Ryan Zink • Feb 15, 2024

Key Takeaways

• Chick-fil-A distinguishes itself by concentrating on a limited menu, ensuring high-quality food and exceptional customer service.
• Chick-fil-A's franchise model presents unique challenges, including the inability of franchisees to sell their business or own more than one location.
• This model offers low entry costs and a share in profits but limits growth opportunities and lacks an exit strategy for investors.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Chick-fil-A, a renowned fast-food establishment with an 80-year legacy, is celebrated for its fan-favorite cuisine, top-notch service, and memorable 'my pleasure' experiences. However, its franchise opportunity comes with a unique twist. In this article, we'll dive into what makes Chick-fil-A an exceptional fast food concept while only being an average franchise opportunity.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

Unwavering focus

Chick-fil-A's secret sauce lies in its unwavering focus. Just like aiming a rifle precisely at a target, Chick-fil-A hones in on a few key aspects it knows it can excel at, and it does so brilliantly. This approach is similar to being a "rifle" rather than a "shotgun" in business. It's all about hitting one bullseye rather than several random targets.

Before we get into what makes Chick-fil-A an exceptional concept, let's rewind a bit and explore the history of this iconic brand.

The birth of Chick-fil-A

In 1946, the founder, Truett Cathy, began his journey with a restaurant he named the Dwarf House — it wasn't even named Chick-fil-A yet. Cathy was on a quest to perfect the chicken sandwich, a pursuit that spanned a whopping 18 years. Finally, in 1964, he achieved chicken sandwich perfection with a simple combination of bread, chicken, butter, and pickles.

He trademarked the name Chick-fil-A, with the "A" signifying grade A quality. Chick-fil-A was born, and the same mouth-watering chicken sandwich we enjoy today is a testament to Cathy's unwavering commitment to excellence.

Related: 5 Things You Need to Know Before Investing in a Chick-fil-A Franchise

The Chick-fil-A experience

When you think of Chick-fil-A , what comes to mind? Great food served quickly, impeccable service, and, of course, that ever-present smile . "My pleasure" seems to be the anthem of Chick-fil-A employees, making every visit a delightful experience. Chick-fil-A has set the standard for what a fast-food restaurant should be.

Just as Southwest Airlines is known for online flights and Ritz-Carlton for five-star service, Chick-fil-A stands out as a brand that instantly conveys its mission. It's a brand that speaks for itself, one where you understand precisely what they do.

Non-stop growth

Chick-fil-A isn't just a successful fast-food chain; it's an industry titan. It currently reigns supreme as the highest-grossing fast food chain globally. But here's the intriguing part: others have followed its model and are thriving too. Names like Raising Cane's and In-N-Out Burger have embraced Chick-fil-A's philosophy of doing less but doing it exceptionally well.

Chick-fil-A's remarkable achievement includes an unprecedented 60 years of non-stop business growth since the first store opened in 1967. The impact of this extraordinary journey is evident in the fact that Chick-fil-A averages over $5 million per location. That's more than what McDonald's and Burger King combined can claim.

Related: 24 Interesting Facts You Should Know About Chick-fil-A

Chik-fil-A's culture

These five reasons combine to drive Chik-fil-A's success:

Food Quality: Chick-fil-A's menu is intentionally limited, focusing on what they do best. This streamlined approach ensures top-notch quality and a loyal customer base.

Customer Experience: Chick-fil-A's employees are trained to create exceptional experiences for customers. The core four principles - make eye contact, smile, speak enthusiastically, and stay connected - are the foundation of their service excellence.

Belief in Something: Closing on Sundays, even when it could mean more revenue , shows Chick-fil-A's commitment to its values. This choice has created a fiercely loyal following.

Building a Strong Brand : Chick-fil-A has built an iconic brand over eight decades, standing as a shining example for other restaurants.

Profit Margins: With an average profit margin of around 30%, Chick-fil-A franchisees can expect substantial returns on their investment.

The catch(es)

Now, you might wonder, with such stellar success, why isn't Chick-fil-A considered the ultimate franchise opportunity ? Two crucial factors set it apart from the traditional franchise model.

1. Lack of Exit Value: Chick-fil-A franchisees do not have the opportunity to sell their business or its assets. Once they're done, they're out. There's no exit strategy , which is a significant drawback for those seeking long-term investment.

2. Limited Growth: Chick-fil-A franchisees can only own one location . While this laser focus aligns with the brand's philosophy, it hinders those aspiring to scale and grow their franchise empire.

Related: Why Chick-fil-A Employees Never Say 'You're Welcome'

Still a dream for many

Despite these limitations, Chick-fil-A offers an enticing proposition for a specific group of individuals. Here's why:

Low Entry Cost: The initial investment is a mere $10,000, with virtually no risk involved.

Profit Share: Chick-fil-A franchisees typically earn around 5-7% of the business's profits. Considering an average location's revenue, this translates to a substantial income . However, there's a significant caveat: The competition to become a Chick-fil-A franchisee is fierce. With more than 50,000 applicants annually and only a handful of new locations opening, the odds of being selected are less than 1% .

Chick-fil-A undeniably boasts one of the best fast-food concepts in the world. It has mastered the art of focus, quality and customer service. Yet, when it comes to franchise opportunities , it falls short due to the absence of exit value and limited growth potential. While Chick-fil-A may be a dream come true for some fortunate individuals, it may not align with the aspirations of those seeking scalable and long-term franchise investments.

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® Contributor

Founder & CEO of Franchise Sidekick

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