Rachel Evans
Chick-fil-A is a fast-food chain that has experienced explosive growth and is now the third-largest chain in the US by sales. The company's success has been attributed to its Christian values and business practices. Founder Truett Cathy was a devout Christian who taught Sunday School for over 51 years and his religious beliefs continue to permeate the company. Chick-fil-A has been involved in several controversies, including CEO Dan Cathy's opposition to same-sex marriage and allegations of religious discrimination in a lawsuit filed by a Muslim employee. The company has also been criticized for its support for conservative religious organizations and its closure on Sundays. Despite the backlash, Chick-fil-A's sales have more than doubled, and the company is expanding internationally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religious Affiliation | Christian |
| Company Mission | "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." |
| Founder | S. Truett Cathy |
| Founder's Religion | Christian |
| Closed on Sundays | Yes |
| Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage | Yes |
| Biblically-Based Principles | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Boycotts and support for Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A is a fast-food chain that has experienced both boycotts and support due to its religious connections and controversial business practices. The company was founded by devout Christian S. Truett Cathy, whose religious beliefs are reflected in various aspects of the business. For example, all Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sundays, and the company's corporate purpose statement mentions glorifying God and having a positive influence.
The company has faced boycotts and criticism due to its involvement in religious and political controversies. One major controversy surrounds Chick-fil-A's opposition to same-sex marriage and support for "biblically-based principles." In 2012, the company's president, Dan Cathy, made comments supporting "the biblical definition of the family unit" and suggesting that society was inviting God's judgment by contradicting this definition. These comments sparked boycotts and protests from gay rights groups and politicians, who sought to halt the company's expansion into certain cities. Chick-fil-A was also criticized for donating to anti-LGBTQ and hate groups, leading to further boycotts and negative press.
In response to the backlash, Chick-fil-A promised to stop donating to organizations with "political agendas" and reorganized its donation policy to focus on hunger, homelessness, and education. The company also released a statement emphasizing its inclusivity and welcoming attitude towards people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Despite these changes, some activists argue that the company's profits still indirectly support hate, and boycotts continue to be called for by outlets such as Esquire and The Hoya.
On the other hand, Chick-fil-A has also received support during these controversies. Some people argue that boycotting a company due to political differences can lead to virtue signaling and inconsistency. For example, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg cautioned against boycotting Chick-fil-A solely based on political donations, even though he disagreed with their politics. Additionally, in 2010, Chick-fil-A was a minor sponsor of a golf tournament benefiting a conservative religious non-profit, demonstrating their support for organizations that promote specific religious values.
Overall, the boycotts and support for Chick-fil-A highlight the complex nature of consumer decisions when a company's business practices conflict with an individual's values. While some choose to boycott the company due to its controversial history, others argue for a more nuanced approach that recognizes the progress Chick-fil-A has made in addressing these issues.
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The company's founder, Truett Cathy
Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy was a devout Christian who taught Sunday School for over 51 years. His religious beliefs are reflected in the company's official statement of corporate purpose, which says that the business exists "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A." Cathy's faith has had a direct impact on the company's business practices and success.
Cathy was heavily involved in the WinShape Foundation, a non-profit organization started in 1984 with the goal of "shaping winners" through summer camps, retreats, foster care, and other services. He was also known for his acts of charity and his support for religious groups, including promoting them through toys and CDs included in children's meals.
Cathy's religious beliefs influenced Chick-fil-A's distinctive features, such as all locations being closed on Sundays to observe the Lord's day. The company's success is attributed to its rigorous franchise operator-selection process, which seeks individuals deeply committed to the chain and its values. This has contributed to Chick-fil-A's rapid growth, with sales increasing from $4.6 billion in 2012 to $10.5 billion in 2019.
Cathy's office at Chick-fil-A's Atlanta headquarters remains preserved, displaying his vintage car collection, including the original Batmobile from "Batman Returns." Before founding Chick-fil-A, Cathy and his brother, Ben, ran a 24-hour diner called the Dwarf House. Cathy's influence extends beyond his lifetime, as the company continues to embody his values and principles, even in its expansion plans.
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The company's statement of corporate purpose
Chick-fil-A is a fast-food chain that has experienced explosive growth in recent years, becoming the third-largest chain in the US by sales. The company's founder, S. Truett Cathy, was a devout Christian who taught Sunday School for over 51 years. Cathy's religious beliefs are deeply ingrained in the company's culture and business practices.
The company's official statement of corporate purpose reflects these Christian values, stating that the business exists:
> "To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."
This statement is engraved on a plaque hanging by the front door of Chick-fil-A's headquarters. The company lives out this purpose through its heavy investment in community services, particularly those targeting children and teenagers, as well as scholarships. Cathy's beliefs are also reflected in the company's distinctive feature of closing all locations on Sundays to observe the Lord's day.
Chick-fil-A's Christian values have been a source of both controversy and support for the company. The company has faced backlash for its opposition to same-sex marriage, with some mayors threatening to make their cities unwelcome to Chick-fil-A due to these views. However, the company's customer base remains loyal and supportive, with sales increasing despite the controversies.
Chick-fil-A's success has been attributed to its unique business model, which involves a rigorous franchise operator-selection process that seeks out individuals deeply committed to the chain's values. The company's confidence in its faith-based business principles and its focus on community investment have contributed to its growth and strong brand identity.
While Chick-fil-A is not specifically a Catholic company, its roots are firmly planted in Christianity, and its corporate purpose and values are shaped by these religious beliefs.
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Chick-fil-A's franchise operator-selection process
Chick-fil-A's franchise selection process is highly competitive and extremely rigorous. In 2018, the company accepted only around 100 new operators out of 68,000 applicants, an acceptance rate of 0.15%. This is significantly lower than Harvard's acceptance rate of 4.5% for the class of 2023.
The company seeks out restaurant operators who are looking for a full-time, "hands-on" business opportunity. Candidates must be comfortable with tasks such as flipping burgers, training employees, and handling customers. They should have a proven track record in business leadership, successfully managed their personal finances, and be results-oriented self-starters interested in growing the business. It is also important for candidates to be community leaders and not be involved in any other active business ventures.
The application process requires months of interviews and essays. Quincy L.A. Springs IV, a Chick-fil-A operator in Atlanta, Georgia, shared that he wrote at least 12 essays, went through 10 rounds of interviews, and had to submit his high school transcript before being selected. Candidates should also attend Chick-fil-A's information sessions to better understand the extensive application and interview process and to hear from current franchisees and members of the franchisee selection team.
Chick-fil-A's rigorous selection process has been linked to the company's sales growth. The average unit volumes increased from $2.8 million in 2012 to $4.6 million in 2018, resulting in higher profits for operators. The company takes great care in selecting its franchisees, ensuring they are committed to building the Chick-fil-A brand and willing to dedicate serious time and energy to the business.
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The company's opposition to same-sex marriage
Chick-fil-A is a fast-food chain that is guided by Christian values. The company's founder, S. Truett Cathy, was a devout Christian whose religious beliefs permeate the company to this day. Chick-fil-A has been involved in several controversies related to its opposition to same-sex marriage.
In June 2012, Dan T. Cathy, the company's CEO and son of Truett Cathy, made a series of public comments opposing same-sex marriage. He stated that he supported "traditional marriage" and that the company operated on “biblically-based principles." This sparked widespread backlash from the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, who viewed the company as homophobic and discriminatory. There were calls for protests and boycotts of the restaurant chain, with gay rights activists holding kiss-in protests inside and outside Chick-fil-A restaurants.
The controversy was further fueled by reports that Chick-fil-A's charitable arm, the WinShape Foundation, had donated millions of dollars to organizations seen as hostile to LGBTQ+ rights. These included groups that actively opposed same-sex marriage, such as Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, and Exodus International, an organization that supported ex-gay conversion therapy. Chick-fil-A was also criticized for co-sponsoring a marriage conference with the Pennsylvania Family Institute in 2011, another group opposed to LGBTQ+ civil rights.
In response to the backlash, Chick-fil-A released a statement in July 2012, stating that they would leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena. The company also made efforts to distance itself from anti-LGBTQ+ organizations, with tax filings showing that they had stopped funding most of these groups by 2014. However, Chick-fil-A continued to face criticism for its donations to groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and The Salvation Army, which have been accused of being counter to LGBTQ+ rights.
Despite the controversies, Chick-fil-A's sales and popularity have grown significantly since the initial backlash in 2012. The company has more than doubled its annual sales and expanded its locations, with its sales reaching $10.5 billion in 2019. This growth has been attributed to various factors, including a counter-boycott launched by supporters of the company's stance and its unique business model that aligns with Christian values.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Chick-fil-A is not a Catholic company. It is, however, a company with Christian roots and values. Its founder, S. Truett Cathy, was a devout Christian.
Chick-fil-A is a family-owned company that is explicitly guided by Christian values. All Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sundays to respect the Lord's day. 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 and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."
Yes, Chick-fil-A has faced backlash for its values and what has been called its "creepy infiltration of New York City" in The New Yorker magazine. The company has also been criticised for its opposition to same-sex marriage. Despite this, Chick-fil-A's customer base remains supportive and loyal.
