Despite its rapid expansion into international markets such as Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Canada, Chick-fil-A remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining its status as a family-owned enterprise. CEO Andrew Cathy, who assumed leadership nearly five years ago following his father Dan’s tenure, emphasized that the Atlanta-based chain will continue to prioritize its founding values over short-term financial gains.
Cathy succeeded his father during a period of elevated inflation and intensifying competition within the restaurant industry. While rivals like McDonald’s, KFC, and Popeyes have reported disappointing results due to sluggish consumer traffic, Cathy stated that Chick-fil-A has remained resilient. “This has been a good year,” Cathy said during a visit to downtown Manhattan ahead of a promotional event for the chain’s Shared Table hunger relief program. He credited the company’s success to franchise operators who have focused on operational fundamentals and genuine hospitality.
As a privately held company, Chick-fil-A does not disclose quarterly earnings. However, franchise disclosure documents reveal that 2025 revenue increased by 14% to $10.3 billion, with net income rising slightly to $1.05 billion. The chain’s approximately 3,000 locations generated $23.92 billion in system sales last year, ranking it as the third-largest restaurant operator in the United States by sales, behind only McDonald’s and Starbucks.
Cathy reiterated that there are no plans for an initial public offering or outside investment, describing the company’s growth strategy as “calculated” and “conservative.” This approach stands in contrast to the struggles faced by publicly traded restaurant stocks this year; for instance, Jersey Mike’s shares have dropped nearly 28% since its July IPO, and Dunkin’ owner Inspire Brands is reportedly delaying any public listing efforts.
“We’re able to plan for the quarter century, and we don’t have to plan for the quarter,” Cathy explained. The company opened 179 new restaurants last year, suggesting its expansion pace is more aggressive than its “conservative” label might imply.
Balancing innovation with tradition is a central theme of Cathy’s leadership. Under his tenure, Chick-fil-A has pursued a $1 billion international expansion plan and launched Daybright, a beverage-focused concept developed by its venture arm, Red Wagon Ventures. Cathy compared running the business to driving a race car: “There’s a reason that the windshield’s bigger than the rearview mirror.” He noted that while core tenets like closing on Sundays will never change, other aspects must evolve to meet changing diner habits.
Regarding technology, Cathy described a “human plus” approach. While the company is exploring AI for backend operations, it has rejected implementing AI voice ordering in drive-thrus, a strategy being tested by McDonald’s with its “Archy” system. Cathy argued that preserving human-to-human interaction is essential to maintaining the brand’s signature Southern hospitality.
This focus on service has historically made Chick-fil-A the leader in customer satisfaction according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index for over a decade. Although Jersey Mike’s briefly surpassed Chick-fil-A in the 2026 study, Chick-fil-A’s score remained stable year-over-year.
The chain is also carefully curating its menu, introducing seasonal items like chicken and waffles and the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich. If a limited-time offer proves popular, it may become permanent, as seen with the Pineapple Dragonfruit drink line. Cathy stated, “We’re very careful about what we want to do, because we want to keep it really focused on unique Chick-fil-A items.”
Competition in the chicken segment remains fierce. Popeyes captured approximately 11% of the market after launching its own sandwich in 2019, while Chick-fil-A holds roughly 43% share. McDonald’s is expected to re-enter the fray with hand-breaded chicken offerings. Cathy welcomed the competition, saying, “I’m grateful that there’s competition in the chicken space, because that means we’re in a good space to be.”
Outside its core business, Red Wagon Ventures continues to incubate new ideas. Recent ventures include the Little Blue Menu concept, which will transition back to a standard Chick-fil-A format, and Acrew Home Professionals, a home repair service promoting “service with a smile.” Cathy, drawing inspiration from his grandfather S. Truett Cathy—who opened a new business at age 92—plans for the company to explore acquisitions of family businesses lacking succession plans as it seeks to sustain growth for decades to come.
Wait, Jersey Mike’s beat them in customer satisfaction? That’s a surprise. Chick-fil-A usually dominates that list.
Sunday closure is such a unique stance. It builds loyalty, even if it limits growth speed slightly.
$10.3 billion in revenue is impressive. They are clearly doing something right while competitors struggle.
I wonder if AI voice ordering will eventually become necessary as labor costs rise? Curious how they handle that balance.
Staying private really does allow for better long-term decisions. Good to see them resist the IPO pressure.