In 2024, Chick-fil-A had sales of $23B, up 20x since 2000.
It is the 3rd largest food chain by sales in USA after Starbucks ($36B) and McDonald’s ($26B).
CFA did this on only ~3k locations, much less than Starbucks (~38k) or McDonald’s (~40k).
The chain averages $9.4m per non-mall store, which dwarfs McDonald’s at $4m per non-mall store.
One key is CFA’s drive-thru game, which has highest customer satisfaction among restaurant chains (Wendy’s was worst).
The numbers on its drive-thru are interesting:
▫️It has the longest average wait time (8 minutes and 29 seconds)
▫️The wait time is because CFA is so damn popular and has the most average cars in line (4.74 cars)
▫️BUT, the actual time per car once it orders is the shortest of all chains (1 minute 47 seconds)
▫️CFA has a very low error rate on orders (helped by simplified menu), means even less delays per order
The wildest CFA drive-thru experience is this elevated test restaurant in Atlanta.
It has 4 lanes and no customer sit down area.
All food cooked on 2nd floor and conveyor belted down to customers.