Chick-fil-A: From the Dwarf Grill

A diner near the airport

In 1946 Truett Cathy and his brother opened a small diner called the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia, near the Atlanta airport and a busy aircraft factory. It later became the Dwarf House and served round-the-clock workers. The building still operates as a restaurant today.

Inventing the sandwich

In the early 1960s Cathy experimented with a boneless chicken breast, seasoned and pressure-cooked in peanut oil, served on a buttered bun with two pickles. He named it the Chick-fil-A, playing on the idea of a fillet of chicken with a top-grade A. The simple recipe has barely changed.

Malls first

The first Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in 1967 in Atlanta's Greenbriar Mall, and for years the chain grew mainly in shopping mall food courts. Free-standing restaurants with drive-thrus came later, in the 1980s. Waffle fries, nuggets and lemonade became signatures alongside the original sandwich.

Since its beginning, the company has kept its restaurants closed on Sundays, a policy set by its founder.

Service as a brand

Chick-fil-A is known for its double-lane drive-thrus, staff taking orders on tablets in the line and its polite service style. It is consistently among the highest-earning fast food chains per restaurant in the US. It remains a privately held, family-owned company based in the Atlanta area.

Menu guide

The original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich is still the best seller, joined by a spicy version, a deluxe with lettuce, tomato and cheese, grilled options, nuggets, strips and salads. Waffle fries are the signature side, and Chick-fil-A Sauce, a sweet and smoky honey mustard barbecue mix, is a fan favourite. Lemonade and milkshakes round out the menu, with seasonal shakes like peppermint.

Did you know? The original Dwarf House building in Hapeville has a small door just for children, a nod to its name. The company often runs restaurants with franchise operators who usually run a single location, a model meant to keep owners closely involved.

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