The other day I had a craving that I am sure you can relate to. I woke up, and the thought of a crispy chicken sandwich flooded my mind. My appetite wasn't calling out for a simple, generic chicken sandwich. It wanted a chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A...a medium waffle fry and a medium sweet tea also.
Unfortunately it was Sunday.
According to its website, "Chick-fil-A is the second largest quick-service chicken restaurant in the nation," but it is only open six days a week, as opposed to its competitors who are open everyday. In 2007, Chick-fil-A reported sales of $2.64 billion, but one can only imagine what this amount would be if they were open on Sundays. However, this is an issue on which Truett Cathy; founder, Chairman, and CEO; will not compromise his beliefs.
Since its creation in 1967, Chick-fil-A has remained committed to keeping its doors locked on Sundays, and this is a principle that nearly every American knows and respects. In many of its restaurants, one can find a timeline of the Chick-fil-A story as well as interesting facts about its scholarship programs, community involvement, mission, and commitment to closing on Sundays. To Truett Cathy, Sunday is a special day that is reserved for certain tasks; therefore, Chick-fil-A closes to allow its employees the opportunity to worship as they please and spend time with their families.
One cannot deny that this business model is based loosely on God's Commandment to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. At the onset, Chick-fil-A placed Christianity and family values at the heart of its business operations, and this attitude has carried over into other ventures. As previously mentioned, Chick-fil-A is involved in many charities, gives thousands every year to send its employees to college with scholarships, and sponsors every sporting event for the Big 12 and Southeast Conferences.
Chick-fil-A's mission statement is "to be America's best quick-service restaurant," but they have given new meaning to the word "best." Best not only means maintaining superior taste of its food, quality of service, and overall atmosphere. It now encompasses a deeper mindset that involves service in the community and a genuine respect for its employees and their spiritual lives. Because of this, it has established itself as a pioneer in the quick-service chicken restaurant industry and the fast-food industry as a whole.
Too bad I can't get that chicken sandwich on Sunday.
1 comment:
I actually worked for Chick-fil-A as a freshman in high school and have met Truett Cathy in the Chick-fil-A headquarters in Atlanta...which is an amazing facility!! But that is beside the point...
Thanks for a great reflection - you are an engaging writer! I have always appreciated that Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays...even if it leaves me craving their chicken nuggets on a Sunday afternoon. Clearly you think closing on a Sunday is a positive thing for Chick-fil-A to do. What about other workplaces that are usually closed on the weekends? Should they find ways to adopt these principles even though it would involves changes in weekend schedules?
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