Although Chick-fil-A is not available worldwide, the beloved American fast food chain known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries and the phrase “My pleasure” has become one of the most important restaurant chains in the industry.
Unlike many other global fast food giants, Chick-fil-A has expanded its business with a slower but purposeful growth strategy. Since its founding in 1946 in Hapeville, Georgia, the family-owned business has remained true to its roots, including its well-known Sunday closed policy, which reflects its emphasis on Southern hospitality and community values.
Chick-fil-A has long proven that bigger isn’t always better. Its steady expansion and consistent customer satisfaction show that prioritizing quality and service is paying off.
For the 11th year in a row, Chick-fil-A was again named the best quick service restaurant, earning a consistent score of 83 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index 2025 Restaurant and Food Delivery Study.
Many might say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But Chick-fil-A is making a major strategic shift in its non-traditional restaurants, one that will reshape the company for years to come.
Chick-fil-A is converting its licensed locations, which are found on college campuses, hospitals and theme parks (except airports), to its owner-operator model. Under this franchise system, operators run the restaurant, manage day-to-day operations and share profits with the company, while Chick-fil-A retains ownership of the business’s assets.
This transition aims to create a more consistent experience at Chick-fil-A restaurants. It will also allow customers to use the chain’s technology solutions, including the app, membership program and gift card redemption, benefits not currently available in licensed stores.
“At Chick-fil-A, our commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience is at the heart of everything we do,” Chick-fil-A said in a press release. “We are excited about this next chapter and believe our locally owned business model will allow us to serve and care for guests and expand Chick-fil-A’s great food and hospitality to more locations for many years to come.”
Chick-fil-A is converting 425 of its licensed locations to an owner-operator model. Shutterstock” loading=”eager” height=”540″ width=”960″ class=”yf-1gfnohs loader”/>
Chick-fil-A is converting 425 of its licensed locations to an owner-operator model. Shutterstock
As of Dec. 31, 2024, Chick-fil-A operated approximately 3,109 domestic restaurants, including 2,684 company-owned and franchised locations, as well as 425 licensed stores, according to its franchise disclosure document.
Surprisingly, the chain also quietly closed locations, closing three mall units and 16 brick-and-mortar restaurants in 2024. At the same time, it opened 132 new locations and 13 licensed stores.
Recently, Chick-fil-A has also been eyeing international expansion after years of operating exclusively in North America. In 2025, it opened its first two overseas restaurants, including one in Leeds, England, and another will debut in mid-December in Singapore.
Although Chick-fil-A has positioned itself as a remarkable success by staying true to its philosophy, some industry experts see limitations in its system.
“Chick-fil-A boasts arguably one of the best fast food concepts in the world,” Franchise Sidekick Founder and CEO Ryan Zink told Entrepreneur. “It has mastered the art of focus, quality and customer service. However, 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 lucky individuals, it may not align with the aspirations of those looking for scalable, long-term franchise investments.”
Chick-fil-A generated more than $9 billion in total revenue in 2024, up nearly 14 percent from the previous year, and reached $22.7 billion in system-wide sales, which grew steadily year over year.
These results place the chain among the top three U.S. restaurant brands based on system-wide domestic sales. McDonald’s ( MCD ) leads the way with $53.5 billion in 2024, followed by Starbucks ( SBUX ) at $30.4 billion.
However, it’s important to note that both companies operate far more US locations than Chick-fil-A. At the end of 2024, McDonald’s reported 13,559 restaurants and Starbucks had 16,935.
If it seems like fast food prices have skyrocketed in recent years, that’s because they have, and there’s data to back that claim up.
From 2014 to 2024, menu prices in the sector rose between 39% and 100%, outpacing the national inflation rate of 33% over the same period, according to Finance Buzz.
Chick-fil-A’s prices have more than doubled since 2014, Starbucks’ prices are up nearly 40%, and McDonald’s prices are up 100%.
“This presents a significant challenge for restaurants, as home-cooked meals directly displace demand for dine-in establishments, which translates into lower revenue and lower customer traffic,” said Coresight Research analyst Sujeet Naik.
More Chick-fil-A:
However, these fast food chains have remained profitable by developing innovative products and constantly evolving their operating models to meet consumer demands.
“In response to the shrinking food dollar and empowered customers, restaurants are turning to innovative business and operating models to capture greater market share,” KPMG restaurant segment leader Paul Fultz and consumer markets strategy leader Joel Rampoldt said in a study.
Related: McDonald’s Drops More Than a Grinch Christmas Meal in 2025
This story was originally published by TheStreet on December 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the Restaurants section. Add TheStreet as a favorite source by clicking here.
