Swot Analysis Of Chick-Fil-A

Founded by S. Truett Cathy in the Atlanta suburb Hapeville, Chick-fil-A is a Southern restaurant by all means as its origin is in the South. But to qualify the eatery as authentically Southern, one has to examine more than just origin or where the founder was from. The late Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, said “We should be about more than just selling chicken. We should be a part of our customers’ lives and the communities in which we serve.” This ideal, and those like it, is what illustrates Chick-fil-A’s Southern identity. This particular restaurant presents itself as authentically Southern in how it never compromises family, provides a certain “Southern hospitality” not many other places do, and holds onto Bible Belt values in trying

times.
Chick-fil-A has had two head honchos since its opening in 1946, the founder and then his son.

It is one of the largest family-owned businesses in the country. The company’s website has a whole section dedicated to just the Cathy family and the next generation. So it is an important element to Chick-fil-A’s identity to keep the chain a family business. There is something to be said about the Southern familial unit. In the South, fertility is higher, divorce rates are lower, and family status is just as important as social status (more than likely because in the South, the family circle is the social circle). Chick-fil-A has proven itself to be authentically Southern through family values for 72

years.
In 2016, Chick-fil-A was ranked by QSR Magazine as the most polite restaurant chain in America. Even though Chick-fil-A has spread across 46 states including locations such as malls, airports, and college campuses, that does not mean that the company has lost the charm and hospitality that can only come from the South. The company opened a location in Manhattan that does cater to the speedy lifestyle of New Yorkers, but still maintains the charisma of the South. “My pleasure” is spoken out of the mouth of just about every employee at any Chick-fil-A location, no matter which state the restaurant is in. Chick-fil-A prides itself in its mannerisms because the company genuinely believes that they owe it all to their customers. This warm friendliness surely contributes to making the chain authentically Southern.
It would be near impossible to explore Southern identity without bringing up religion.

The South is notorious for its hardcore bible thumpers and the fire-and-brimstone fearing man. There is a plaque in Chick-fil-A’s Support Center in Atlanta that says its mission is to “glorify God.” Cathy said, “you don't have to be a Christian to work at Chick-fil-A... we ask you to base your business on Biblical principles because they work.” From this mission to every location being closed on Sunday, even during the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, GA, the Cathy family continues to run Chick-fil-A through the Christian lens that Truett wanted. Bringing religion into everything that one does is not necessarily inherently Southern, but it certainly is a moral that Southerners hold close to their

heart.
In the Southern Foodway Alliance’s Gravy Podcast, Lolis Eric Elie asks “What does it mean for the continuation of the culture in a way that is reflective of who we are and not reflective of some generic national norm (23:24).” Chick-fil-A may change to adapt to its surroundings and lifestyles of customers, but it has proven and will continue to prove that the chain will never submit to a world without a pleasant demeanor. Chick-fil-A has been authentic to itself and its Southern mannerisms. All of these points add up to the fact that Chick-fil-A has, and always will be undeniably Southern.