Take an inside look at Chick-fil-A

Decatur students are familiar with Chick-fil-A, whether they are employed there, or are just customers from time to time. The local Chick-fil-A franchise, located just across the street from the high school, has become a popular place for students to eat  breakfast or grab a snack after school. Known for their chicken sandwich and unique waffle fries, people identify Chick-fil-A with quality food, but how much do people know about the business itself and the man behind it?Chick-fil-A was founded in 1946 in Hapeville, Georgia, near the Hartsfield-Jackson airport. Truett Cathy is the man responsible for the chain’s existence and he remains as the owner of the company. However, there is much more to Cathy than a successful entrepreneur and businessman. Cathy is a devout Christian and he lets that show through his actions and in his business.

Ever wonder the reason that Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays? When Cathy first opened his small restaurant in Hapeville, he always found himself exhausted by the end of the week, and decided to let himself and his fellow workers take Sunday off. He figured if he didn’t like working on Sundays, that other people didn’t either. As his business grew this policy did not change. “I was not so committed to financial success that I was willing to abandon my principles and priorities,” Cathy said. “One of the most visible examples of this is our decision to close on Sunday… [This] was our way of honoring God and of directing our attention to things that mattered more than our business.” Chick-fil-A is the only major fast-food restaurant chain closed on Sundays, one of the busiest days of the week in the restaurant business. Despite being closed on Sundays, Cathy has led Chick-fil-A on an unparalleled record of 40 consecutive years of sales increases.

Cathy also focuses on giving back to the local community, and particularly schools. Nearly all Chick-fil-A restaurants work with neighborhood schools or groups to organize fundraising or volunteer efforts.

Cathy has also established a  scholarship program to encourage Chick-fil-A restaurant employees to further their education. Chick-fil-A has awarded nearly $25 million in total scholarship money to eligible students. The Chick-fil-A restaurant chain is much more than just a business. It is clear that the company’s motives are not just to make money, but to give back to the community.