Chick-fil-A closes on Sundays because founder S. Truett Cathy wanted employees to rest and worship, based on his Christian beliefs.
Reason
Founder S. Truett Cathy decided to close on Sundays when he opened his first restaurant in 1946 (Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia). He wanted employees to rest and worship.
Company policy
Chick-fil-A has stayed closed on Sundays since. It is a core part of the company’s identity.
Business
It earned about $21.6 billion in 2023 sales with six days of operation, more per restaurant than most rivals.
Exceptions
None. Even airport locations close.
Company facts
Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Sundays, a policy set by founder S. Truett Cathy, who opened the first restaurant (the Dwarf Grill) in Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946 and decided to close on Sundays when he opened his first Chick-fil-A in 1967 at Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta. Cathy said he wanted employees and operators to have a day for rest, worship, family and friends.
- The company’s stated corporate purpose is “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.”
- Chick-fil-A reports average sales per restaurant above 9 million USD for traditional units, which leads the quick service industry despite being open six days a week, according to Nation’s Restaurant News and QSR rankings.
- The company has over 3,000 locations in the US.
Exceptions
The policy applies to most locations, including malls, but some airport and university locations operate Sundays. During disasters, some restaurants have opened on Sundays to feed first responders or evacuees, such as after Hurricane Irma in 2017 and other events. The chain’s Sunday closure has become part of its brand.
Company facts
Chick-fil-A was founded by S. Truett Cathy in 1946, and the restaurants have been closed on Sundays since the first restaurant opened in 1946 in Hapeville, Georgia. The company says the practice honors its Christian values and gives staff a day for rest.
Exceptions
The closing applies to nearly all locations, except some in airports, hospitals and universities. The chain is among the highest grossing per restaurant in the US, with sales per unit of over 9 million USD according to QSR Magazine.
Corporate policy and results
S. Truett Cathy opened the Dwarf Grill in 1946, which became Chick-fil-A in 1967. He kept restaurants closed on Sundays so employees could rest and worship. The chain operates about 3,000 US restaurants and reported systemwide sales of 21.6 billion USD in 2023, ranking third among US fast food chains in sales despite operating six days a week.
Facts and criticism
Most locations in malls and airports also close on Sunday. Exceptions include some venues such as stadiums. The company has faced controversy over donations to certain organizations, and later said it would change its charitable giving in 2019. Owner operators run each restaurant.
Based on data from Chick-fil-A and QSR Magazine
