Chick-fil-A CEO addresses whether fast-food chain would ever consider opening on Sundays
Chick-fil-A chief executive Andrew Cathy says the chain has no plans to open on Sundays, maintaining a policy in place since its founding in 1946. He said the day off matters to employees and reflects the family-owned company’s values, even if staying closed means giving up potential sales.
Cathy said he has never calculated the revenue the business might forgo because Sunday opening is not under consideration. Chick-fil-A averaged $9,161,239 in annual sales per location in 2025 and had 2,863 locations after opening 179 that year; it also received about 150,000 franchise applications annually. The chain is introducing its first new sauce in a decade, available from 16 November.
- Chick-fil-A will remain closed on Sundays.
- CEO Andrew Cathy says the policy is important to staff and the company.
- The chain averaged $9.16 million in annual sales per location in 2025.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Keeping Sundays free gives employees a predictable day to rest, spend time with family or practise their faith, and preserves a long-standing company commitment. The chain’s strong sales and franchise interest suggest it can remain successful without pursuing every possible trading day, while a clear policy may help sustain its identity and attract workers who value that schedule.
The case against
Opening on Sundays could make meals more convenient for customers and create additional sales, jobs or hours for workers who want them. Given the chain’s scale and demand, critics could reasonably question whether a company policy should outweigh those opportunities, particularly for employees who would prefer more flexibility in when they work.