ATLANTA — Chick-fil-A has announced year-end 2007 systemwide sales of $2.6 billion, a 16.1-percent increase over the chain's 2006 performance and a same-store sales increase of 8.5 percent. This year marked the chain's 40th consecutive year of systemwide sales gains.

The chain's 2007 sales performance complemented a number of business highlights, including:

• Continued restaurant expansion with a chain record of 80 new locations.
• Introduced chain's first limited-time menu addition, a Mint Cookies and Cream Hand-Spun Milkshake.
• Zagat's first Fast Food Survey was released in 2007 and Chick-fil-A ranked first in overall service and in the chicken restaurant category.
• Awarded a record 174 franchise operators new cars as part of the chain's Symbol of Success sales incentive program. Through the program, franchisees are awarded a new Ford vehicle of their choice for meeting their annual sales goals.
• Hosted the Chick-fil-A Bowl college football game, which established a number of records. The Bowl was ESPN's highest-rated game, recorded an all-time record team payout of $5.8 billion and led all bowls in charitable giving — contributing $1.04 million this year.
• The Chick-fil-A "Eat Mor Chikin" Cows were recognized as one of America's most popular advertising icons in a public vote sponsored by Advertising Week and became the newest members of New York's Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame. A permanent banner to recognize this achievement will be unveiled on Madison Avenue in 2008.

"We have been very blessed with our sales performance, which is a testament to our family of franchise operators who remain committed to the business and dedicated to attracting the very best restaurant team members," said Dan T. Cathy, Chick-fil-A president and COO. "Their dedication to go above and beyond our customers' expectations with warm, friendly service and gracious hospitality is key to sustaining our momentum. It's said, 'build a strong brand and sales will follow,' and we believe the Chick-fil-A brand will continue to thrive as long as we continue to focus on providing exceptional customer service and high-quality products."

Chick-fil-A will make significant menu improvements this year to ensure that its products continue to meet customer expectations, Cathy said. In fact, 2008 is forecasted to be the chain's most aggressive product rollout period in Chick-fil-A history.

In April, Chick-fil-A will introduce a Coffee Caramel Hand-Spun Milkshake for a limited time. In late May, the chain will add a new choice to its line of entree salads, a Chargrilled and Fruit Salad with Harvest Nut Granola Topping, and will upgrade the quality and packaging of its existing line of salads. The Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich will be served on a premium Wheatberry Bread with leaf lettuce, and the Cool Wraps will be served in a new multigrain flatbread recipe. In August, Chick-fil-A will introduce a new Chick-n-Strip product that is 50 percent larger than its current strip offering. The Chick-n-Strips will be offered as a three- or four-count entree, and will be complemented with a new proprietary dipping sauce, Chick-fil-A Dijon.

Chick-fil-A plans to add 88 locations this year, including 70 stand-alone restaurants, five mall/in-line locations and 13 licensed operations (e.g. college campuses, airports and hospitals).