Chick-fil-A CEO promised his dad to uphold the company’s Christian values, never take it public and to always remain closed on Sundays – more than a decade before he took over the business from its founder
- The founder of Chick-fil-A, Truett Cathy, had is children sign a covenant pledging that that they wold uphold specific values for the restaurants future
- In his 2002 autobiography, ‘Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People’, he revealed his children promised to continue to business on the same path
- Dan, Cathy’s first son, took over Chick-fil-A in 2013
- Chick-fil-A loses approximately 1 billion a year by closing on Sundays
Chick-fil-A closing every Sunday is not just a statement, but a promise made by founder Truett Cathy’s children.
Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s current CEO, and his two siblings signed a covenant presented by their father in 2000 while eating dinner at the Atlanta, Georgia headquarters.
In his 2002 autobiography, ‘Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People’, Dan, his older sister, Trudy, and his younger brother, Bubba, pledged to uphold Chick-fil-A’s values.
‘We will be faithful to Christ’s lordship in our lives. As committed Christians we will live a life of selfless devotion to His calling in our lives,’ the statement read, according to Business Insider.
Truett Cathy (middle) had his three children, Dan (left), Trudy (middle) and Bubba (right) sign a covenant agreeing to uphold Chik-fil-A’s original values in 2000
Truett Cathy (pictured) wanted his children to continue Chick-fil-A’s philanthropic legacy, never take the company public and never open on Sundays
It continued, ‘We will prayerfully seek His leadership in all major decisions that impact our family and others. Our family roles as spouses to our lifelong mates, parents to our children, and loving aunts and uncles will be our priority.’
The covenant also asked the siblings to maintain Chick-fil-A’s philanthropy and to never take the company public.
The founder and his brother closed the first Chick-fil-A on the first Sunday after its opening in 1946. Some 73 years later and the Cathy children are continuing that legacy.
Dan Cathy (pictured): ‘It’s who we are. It’s not about being closed. It’s about how we use that time’
Chick-fil-A was voted America’s favorite restaurant for the fourth year in a row in 2019
Cathy wrote in his book, ‘Closing our business on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, is our way of honoring God and showing our loyalty to Him.’
‘I believe God honors our decision and sets before us unexpected opportunities to do greater work for Him because of our loyalty,’ he said.
Regarding Chick-fil-A’s unwavering policy to close every Sunday, Dan Cathy told the Florida Daily, ‘It’s who we are. It’s not about being closed. It’s about how we use that time.’
Dan Cathy became the CEO in 2013.
Since its opening, Chick-fil-A has grown into a fast food powerhouse.
According to a press release from the company, they reportedly made over $10 million in revenue in 2018.
Despite losing around $1 billion annually because they’re closed on Sundays, the chain boasts double the revenue of McDonald’s per restaurant.
Recently, Chick-fil-A was named America’s favorite restaurant for the fourth year in a year, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.