What’s in a Name?: Chick-fil-A

Which came first: the chicken or the egg? We may never know. But we DO know which restaurant gave us the first fast-food chicken sandwich! Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy gave us the classic chicken sandwich over 70 years ago. Little did he know that he was also creating one of the world’s most well-known and beloved fast-food chains.

Chick-fil-A is one of the largest fast-food chains in the United States, with over 2,600 locations across 47 states, Washington, D.C., Canada, and Puerto Rico. And for good reason: The brand is unmistakably known for their top-notch food and service – an inspiration for fast-food franchises everywhere.

THE Chicken Sandwich

In 1946, S. Truett Cathy and his brother, Ben, opened a 24-hour restaurant called the Dwarf Grill (later renamed Dwarf House) in Hapeville, Atlanta. Working alternating 12-hour shifts, the pair quickly found success in their diner, which grew in popularity with the locals.

One day, while experimenting with the menu, Truett Cathy placed a breaded chicken breast and a few pickles on a buttered bun. Just like that, the legendary chicken sandwich was born. And it soon became a crowd-pleasing signature item at the Dwarf Grill.

This simple concoction eventually became so popular that it inspired a restaurant of its own. Cathy opened the first Chick-fil-A in Atlanta, Georgia in 1961. The name was a play on words: "chick" for chicken, "filet" for the boneless chicken breast used in the sandwich, and “A” to represent their “Grade-A” quality of food and service.

“My Pleasure”

The success of the first Chick-fil-A can be attributed not only to Cathy’s iconic sandwich, but also his commitment to outstanding customer service. His deep love for customers had been a constant throughout his entire life. He sold chilled bottles of Coca-Cola to neighbors as a child, delivered newspapers to a dry, convenient location on his route as a teenager, and, as an adult running his first restaurant, sent food to people whose family members were sick or who had recently passed away.

To ensure this high level of service was passed along to Chick-Fil-A franchises, Cathy hand-selected owners who shared his fondness for people. He encouraged all team members at each restaurant to treat every customer like they were the president – which means always going above and beyond to provide exceptional service. Most notably, he suggested that the response to a customer’s “thank you” should always be a genuine “my pleasure.”

Serving Employees First

In order to provide exceptional customer service, Cathy knew that he’d have to show just as much love to his employees. When choosing each new franchisee, he made sure they would be diligent in creating an atmosphere in which people truly enjoyed working.

In 1973, to reward his employees’ commitment to community service and leadership (and to encourage the pursuit of higher education), Cathy created a college scholarship program. To date, nearly $45 million in scholarships have been awarded to over 39,000 team members nationwide.

One of Cathy’s most notable business decisions was to create a day of rest for every member of his team. Chick-fil-A restaurants are always closed on Sundays to provide employees a consistent day to rest and spend time with friends and family.

“It was all about the smiles. Every interaction, every cold Coca-Cola, every meal, every cow, every ‘my pleasure’ was an opportunity to express Cathy’s genuine love and draw a smile.” – Unattributed, "Humble beginnings", Chick-fil-A

For more business-naming stories, check out What's in a Name?: L.L. Bean, The Story Behind Jimmy Beans Wool, and, of course, Penny Mustard: Our History.

Read the Penny Mustard story, get tips from our specialists, and find your next favorite heirloom! Sign up for our newsletter today.