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Chick-fil-A CEO addresses whether fast-food chain would ever consider opening on Sundays
By Sadie Chafe
Published October 18, 2026
Since its founding in 1946, fast-food chicken chain Chick-fil-A has remained closed on Sundays, and according to CEO Andrew Cathy, that policy will not be changing any time soon.
"So it was open 24 hours a day, six days a week, and it was very common back in the 1940s that a lot of places were closed on Sunday," Cathy told NBC's "Today" co-anchor Craig Melvin in an interview.
"And so they wanted to do that. They wanted to have a chance to take a break … go to church, and for others just to take some rest."
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Employees seem to appreciate the policy, he noted, and they like knowing they're guaranteed one day off every week.
Cathy, who has been Chick-fil-A's CEO for the past five years, said he's never considered how much revenue the chain might be missing out on by remaining closed on Sundays.
Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy said he has never calculated how much money the chain could be losing by remaining closed on Sundays. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
"And that's being truthfully honest with you. I never have because it's never something that we're entertaining. It's just too important for us," he said.
He noted that it's a benefit of being a private, family-owned business that they can choose to continue implementing a policy that's not maximizing sales.
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However, with an average annual sales volume of about $23.9 billion in 2025, according to QSR Magazine, Chick-fil-A outperformed multiple major fast-food chains including Wendy's and Burger King — despite being open six days a week.
The company receives about 150,000 franchise applications each year, Cathy told "Today."
The fast-food chain has long stood out for closing all of its restaurants on Sundays, a policy the CEO says isn't going anywhere. (iStock)
Chick-fil-A opened 179 franchises and company-operated outlets in 2025, according to QSR Magazine, reaching 2,863 locations total.
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The fast-food chain has been using the same recipe for its classic chicken sandwich since 1967, when it was created by founder S. Truett Cathy.
The Cathy family’s Christian faith has long played a role in Chick-fil-A’s practices.
Cathy said that employees appreciate knowing they'll have a day off each week due to Chick-fil-A being closed on Sundays. (Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
"It's our anchor in the sense of what our corporate purpose states, that we're in business to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that's entrusted to us, and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A," Cathy said.
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While certain aspects of the company are not open to change, some areas, such as the menu, are currently evolving.
The chain recently announced the release of a new sauce, its first in 10 years.
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Beginning Nov. 16, guests can order Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce to enjoy with their meal — but still not on Sundays.
Fox News Digital reached out to Chick-fil-A for comment.
https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/chick-fil-a-ceo-addresses-whether-fast-food-chain-would-ever-consider-opening-sundays