Why is Chic-fil-A closed on Sundays?

Mar, 09, 2012 | AUTHOR: Darren O; | Related : Food

As I was watching my little girl cut up in the playground at the area Chic-fil-A I remembered once again that the fast food chain was closed on Sundays. I assumed this had to be associated with a religious affiliation in the company but I never followed up to get the particulars of this unprecedented big business chain restaurant approach.

Well just in case you’ve been in the same boat and were curious about the particulars of this tradition here it goes…

This is the explanation straight from the company’s website:

Our founder, Truett Cathy, made the decision to close on Sundays in 1946 when he opened his first restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia. He has often shared that his decision was as much practical as spiritual. He believes that all franchised Chick-fil-A Operators and their Restaurant employees should have an opportunity to rest, spend time with family and friends, and worship if they choose to do so. That’s why all Chick-fil-A Restaurants are closed on Sundays. It’s part of our recipe for success.

Truett, seen above, is a dedicated Southern Baptist and further mentions his decision to have his restaurants closed on Sundays in his Five–Step recipe for Business Success:

5. CLOSED ON SUNDAY

“I was not so committed to financial success that I was willing to abandon my principles and priorities. One of the most visible examples of this is our decision to close on Sunday. Our decision to close on Sunday was our way of honoring God and of directing our attention to things that mattered more than our business.”

There you have it. You can continue to “eat more chickun” but it just won’t be on Sundays.

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Sanoga

GOOD FOR THEM!! (By the way, Starcasm, Chic-fil-A’s policy is far from “unprecedented.” Dearborn, MI restaurants are just about shuttered up during the month long Ramadan.)
Ricky

It is unprecedented for ANY FAST-FOOD CHAIN to be closed when they can be making money….
SuziQ

I now live in Georgia and think that this was a great decision.
The founder puts his money in the future of our country. They have a great scholarship program for the young employees of their company. It is called the WinShape program teaching the students leadership and character. He has donated a building on the Berry College campus in Rome, GA.for the students involved in the program while attending college. When a car manufacter built a new plant in Georgia he bought the first car off the line. From what I have heard it is one of the best business to work for in the country.
Rachel

Chickfila was my first job, and I loved having off on Sunday. The owner of the store I worked at treated us very well.
Caroline

I don’t have an issue with them closing on sunday. Many resturants and stores here in Utah close on sunday. In fact my husband’s business is the only one that is willing to do emergencies on sunday in our area and even though I don’t like him gone, it makes us live alot more comfortably(and he does not overcharge for sunday emergencies).
I was upset when I was stranded in the Atlanta airport after my flight was cancelled on a sunday after having knee surgery and the chick-a-fil was closed and it was the only resturant in the smaller terminal I was stuck in. I think if an airport grants a resturant a spot(I’m sure they are resturants fight for the spot), the should have to be open 7 days a week.
Blahblahblah

Chic-fil-a is too over the top. They won’t go anywhere near las vegas because they say that city conflicts with their beliefs.
- Sanoga
  
  …………. Las Vegas / Clark county thrives on sexuality, gambling and booze. The surrounding counties have legal, state-regulated prostitution brothels. If a company doesn’t want to sell chicken to a community known for less-than “family friendly” atmosphere, that’s their prerogative and I’ll give them a high five for putting their values before profit.
ER

I don’t have an issue with them closing Sunday. As somebody who worked in fast food in high school, I would have LOVED sundays off (for a sleep off a hangover purpose more than a go to church purpose, but still).
http://www.twitter.com/justasinglegirl Meg

They are also wildly homophobic and spend a lot of money supporting organizations that believe you can change the gay. I use to love Chic-fil-A but now, I won’t go near one.
- whoa
  
  Yeah they can close on Sundays all they want (I will just go to Churchs Chicken) but their homophobic stance makes it off limits to me 7 days a week.