Chick-fil-A’s Leadership Practices and Commitment to Values

When people think of successful fast-food chains, Chick-fil-A often stands out not only for its fried chicken sandwiches but also for the values, leadership principles, and unique business model that fuel its enduring success. Unlike many of its competitors, Chick-fil-A has chosen not to go public and has deliberately shaped a culture centered on servant leadership, values-driven decision-making, and exceptional customer service.

A Different Kind of Franchise Model

Most restaurant franchises operate by charging high fees and allowing owners broad independence in managing their stores. Chick-fil-A does things differently. Instead of selling franchises for hundreds of thousands of dollars, it charges a relatively low initial fee of $10,000 with Chick-fil-A itself retaining ownership of the land, building, and equipment. This means franchisees are true Operators entrusted with the brand’s reputation and values (chick-fil-a.com).

What truly sets Chick-fil-A apart is that not everyone is chosen to franchise. In 2018, the company received around 68,000 inquiries and accepted only about 100 new Operators, yielding an acceptance rate of roughly 0.15 percent, far more selective than Harvard’s 4.5 percent acceptance rate (businessinsider.com). That level of competitiveness makes becoming a Chick-fil-A Operator similar to being admitted into a top university. The process involves multiple rounds of interviews and written essays that can take 12 to 24 months (workstream.us).

Why They Have Never Gone Public

Chick-fil-A has remained privately owned by the Cathy family, preserving full control over its mission, culture, and long-term strategy without pressure from shareholders (en.wikipedia.org). This private structure allows the company to stay committed to principles such as closing on Sundays, a decision rooted not in profit motives but in offering employees rest and strengthening corporate identity (thetimes.co.uk).

Leadership Grounded in Values

At the heart of Chick-fil-A’s leadership philosophy is the belief that business is about more than profits. It is about people. Operators must exhibit servant leadership, integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to their communities (chick-fil-a.com).

Scholarships for Employees

Chick-fil-A backs up its values with tangible actions. Since 1973, the company has awarded more than $215 million in Remarkable Futures™ scholarships to over 122,000 team members to support their higher education goals (chick-fil-a.com). In 2025 alone, the company awarded a record $27 million to more than 15,000 employees (chick-fil-a.com).

In 2024, Chick-fil-A granted over $26 million in scholarships, including 14 of $25,000 each and thousands of $1,000 or $2,500 awards, bringing the total since 1973 to over $191 million to more than 105,000 team members (chick-fil-a.com). Scholarship recipients have described it as a life-changing commitment to their future by the company.

Community Investment and Development

Chick-fil-A also promotes community engagement through initiatives such as food donations in New York City via the Shared Table® program, leadership academies in high schools, and substantial grants to nonprofits, such as a $200,000 contribution to Harlem Grown (axios.com).

Customer Service as a Competitive Advantage

In a market focused on speed and price, Chick-fil-A stands out by prioritizing service and quality. From “my pleasure” to attention to detail, the brand has elevated hospitality into a central advantage. This is not by accident. It is driven by leadership that emphasizes respect, consistency, and genuine human connection, values reinforced by the rigorous Operator selection and operational model.

Leading with Integrity and Vision

Chick-fil-A’s success story is not just about chicken. It is about leadership choices rooted in integrity, consistency, and values. The carefully stewarded Operator model, the refusal to go public, and consistent investment in people and communities have allowed the company to grow dramatically while staying true to its mission.

Chick-fil-A proves that prioritizing people over profits can lead to remarkable long-term growth, cultural impact, and loyal customers. In a world where quick wins are often the norm, Chick-fil-A offers a powerful reminder: leadership anchored in values and vision always wins in the long run.

References

Business Insider. (2019, August 20). Chick-fil-A has one of the most selective franchise processes in the fast-food industry, with an acceptance rate of less than 1%. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-franchise-operator-selection-process-2019-8

Chick-fil-A. (2024, January). Myths about becoming a Chick-fil-A Operator. Chick-fil-A Press Room. Retrieved from https://www.chick-fil-a.com/press-room/2024/01/myths-about-becoming-a-chick-fil-a-operator

Chick-fil-A. (2024, April). Chick-fil-A awards scholarships to restaurant team members across North America. Chick-fil-A Press Room. Retrieved from https://www.chick-fil-a.com/press-room/2024/04/chick-fil-a-awards-scholarships-to-restaurant-team-members-across-north-america

Chick-fil-A. (2025, April). Chick-fil-A 2025 Remarkable Futures Scholarships winner spotlight. Chick-fil-A Press Room. Retrieved from https://www.chick-fil-a.com/press-room/2025/04/chick-fil-a-2025-remarkable-futures-scholarships-winner-spotlight

Chick-fil-A. (n.d.). Remarkable Futures Scholarships. Retrieved from https://www.chick-fil-a.com/remarkable-futures-scholarships

Chick-fil-A. (n.d.). Franchise information. Retrieved from https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchise

The Times. (2019, October 11). What is on the UK menu for Chick-fil-A? Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/what-is-on-the-uk-menu-for-chick-fil-a-vpm5gkjvm

Wikipedia. (2025). Chick-fil-A. In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A

Workstream. (2023, May 15). How to open a Chick-fil-A franchise: Costs, requirements, and process. Workstream Blog. Retrieved from https://www.workstream.us/blog/how-to-open-a-chick-fil-a-franchise

Axios. (2023, September 18). How Chick-fil-A creates meaningful impact in NYC. Axios Sponsored Content. Retrieved from https://www.axios.com/sponsored/how-chick-fil-a-creates-meaningful-impact-in-nyc