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Chick-fil-A hits $4 billion in annual sales

February 7, 2012

Chick-fil-A Inc. exceeded $4 billion in annual sales in 2011, a record for the Atlanta-based chain.

Annual system-wide sales at Chick-fil-A totaled $4 billion, a 13.08 percent increase over the 2010 overall sales performance. The company also generated a 7 percent same-store sales increase and marked the 44th consecutive year of sales growth since the company began in 1967.

"Of all our years of sales growth, we are humbled and deeply grateful to our customers for making 2011 particularly exceptional," said Dan T. Cathy, Chick-fil-A president and chief operating officer. "We are blessed with a family of operators and team members whose daily commitment to excellence and heartfelt, personalized service creates an atmosphere of hospitality that is unparalleled in our industry while also having a positive impact in the communities they serve. We believe the Chick-fil-A brand will remain vibrant as long as we remain focused on providing an experience that our guests love to brag about."

In fact, many of QSRweb's Twitter followers did brag about their contributions to the annual sales figure after it was announced Monday.

@JeffBruder claims he was responsible for about $8,000 of the tally. @ZackMeisel said the $4 billion did a number on his wallet.

Others opined about how the chain achieved such high numbers. @MDWDFW said the results stem from the chain's "tasty food and good service," while @klasley said Chick-fil-A is ethical and cares about its employees.

Dozens of other followers wondered what the chain's sales figures would be if it were open seven days a week.

Also, and notably, Chick-fil-A weathered two controversies in 2011. A boycott was called for by the gay community and its supporters after it was discovered that the chain donated nearly $2 million to anti-gay groups in 2009.

Late in 2011, another group generated more than 20,000 petition signatures against Chick-fil-A's trademark lawsuit against a Vermont T-shirt maker who used the phrase "Eat More Kale." The QSR chain claimed it was too similar to its signature tagline "Eat Mor Chikin."

Other achievements in 2011

In addition to a record-breaking sales year, Chick-fil-A celebrated a number of other achievements in 2011, including:

• Introduced two new products to the breakfast menu: the Chick-fil-A Spicy Chicken Biscuit and Multigrain Oatmeal;
• Opened 92 new restaurant locations, including 75 stand-alone restaurants and 17 licensed locations (e.g. college campuses, hospitals, airports, businesses and industrial sites);
• Surpassed 1,600 total restaurant locations;
• Celebrated the opening of the chain's Hollywood and Chicago restaurant locations;
• Opened first stand-alone restaurant in Idaho market (Ammon, Idaho);
• Dedicated reinvestment resources to renovate nearly 200 of its existing restaurants;Named the 2011 Zagat National Fast Food Survey's "Top Large Chain" and 2011 Consumer Reports' "Top Chicken Chain"

2012 will include more restaurants, new desserts

This year, Chick-fil-A expects to generate nearly 7,000 new job opportunities in 2012 as a result of its new restaurant openings and existing restaurant growth.

New Product Introductions also are planned. In January, Chick-fil-A debuted one of the nation's most nutritious kids' meals with the addition of the Grilled Chicken Nuggets entree option. The chain also enhanced its children's side offerings with the addition of Buddy Fruits Pure Blended Fruit to Go applesauce, a complement to the existing fruit cup option.

In April, Chick-fil-A will launch a new line-up of desserts, including a warm Chocolate Chunk Cookie, a Fudge Brownie, and Sundaes.

Chick-fil-A expects to add 92 new locations around the country, including 75 stand-alone restaurants, two mall restaurants and 15 licensed locations. The chain will also dedicate resources in 2012 to renovate more than 300 of its existing restaurant locations, introducing new efficiencies that will help attract and accommodate greater sales volume.

Chick-fil-A, Inc. includes more than 1,600 restaurants in 39 states and Washington, D.C.

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