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I know several CFA owner-operators, and this article is mostly on point. Some of the comments I’ve seen are a bit off. 2 of the 3 owner-operators I know have m

I know several CFA owner-operators, and this article is mostly on point. Some of the comments I’ve seen are a bit off. 2 of the 3 owner-operators I know have multiple locations, although this is rare. Income estimates are a bit low for typical stores I’d be surprised if any owner operator of a freestanding unit is below $250k. Also, the estimates of worked hours are a bit high. All the owner operators I know have great work-life balance, this is a function of how well they hire and train their general managers. There are also some significant advantages to non-ownership that are win-win for both the company and operators. CFA provides significant support beyond what other franchisers do: IT, capex for renovation, and training. CFA is incredibly focused on efficiency in their stores. If you’ve seen a freestanding store recently, you’ve probably seen it be renovated to allow for double drive through lanes and a walkthrough parlor for pickup. That’s not the type of thing many franchisees at other companies have the cash (or willingness) to do.

adaisadais 7y ago
Extremely well put. I completely concur. My first cousin is in the process of getting his “own” store now. While it has been a grind (he often worked the mythical 100+ hour week while in the Leadership Development Program) it will pay off handsomely. The best part of Chic-Fil-A (in my opinion) is not the food but their total devotion to the customer. The level of service you receive at a Chic-Fil-A freestanding store is unparalleled at virtually all other fast food joints (with the occasional exception of In-N-Out ((maybe the hyphens add to greater service?)) and most restaurants in general.
- aabhay 7y ago
  And perhaps apostrophes destroy the service culture? (McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Arby’s)
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
  - adaisadais 7y ago
    Haha you know, I think you are onto something! But the main thing is that most fast food businesses (and businesses in general) are so focused on revenue that their employees and customers suffer. I recently used a self-serve machine at Taco Bell (love the dreadful beef chalupa) and had a poor experience. The machine was too low for my height and unadjustable. Poor design really brings out the worst in the fast food experience.
    - kekeo 7y ago
      Wow. Touchscreen experience brings out the worst in an industry that sells junk food, and relies on not paying taxes and fighting fair wages to stay afloat. Mmk
- chrismcb 7y ago
  I don't eat at Chic fil a because I had a manager tell me my opinion is wrong and basically they don't care about the customers opinion. So it appears to me that they have absolutely zero devotion to the customer.
  - fooker 7y ago
    Was your opinion wrong?
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- vinniejames 7y ago
  This doesn't really seem worth it by any measure: "In return for 60-hour work-weeks, an operator might take home 5-7% of revenue (around $150-$250k per year)." That comes out to around $50 - $83/hour, a nice wage but isn't going to bring any vast amount of wealth
Kikawala 7y ago
The take home for the owner of 3 CFAs in College Station, TX is $1.1m
btown 7y ago
And when Chick-Fil-A say they provide IT, it’s far far more than you might think! https://medium.com/@cfatechblog/bare-metal-k8s-clustering-at-chick-fil-a-scale-7b0607bd3541 https://medium.com/@cfatechblog/bare-metal-k8s-clustering-at... https://medium.com/@cfatechblog/edge-ai-in-a-smarter-chick-fil-a-6e56fe026154 https://medium.com/@cfatechblog/edge-ai-in-a-smarter-chick-f...
Reedx 7y ago
Something I've been curious about that maybe you or others here have some insight on: Do you think they'd do even better if they were open 7 days/wk? Or is taking a day off one of the things contributing to their success?
- bronco21016 7y ago
  I’m sure they would. On this point. They shouldn’t be allowed in certain locations in my opinion because of this policy. Certain airports are already limited on options for eating and then they close on Sunday. It turns the airport dining experience upside down and its incredibly frustrating.
  - ksherlock 7y ago
    The Atlanta Falcons (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) Chick-Fil-A turns into a "Fries Up" restaurant on Sundays.
    - RickJWagner 7y ago
      What's "Fries Up"? Does that mean the same location and equipment are used for a 'different' restaurant?
      - pgrote 7y ago
        https://www.11alive.com/article/sports/nfl/superbowl/heres-how-the-chick-fil-a-inside-mercedes-benz-stadium-reinvented-itself-for-the-super-bowl/85-dac0f846-5b3e-47e6-b491-f3e93dee26a8 https://www.11alive.com/article/sports/nfl/superbowl/heres-h...
- matwood 7y ago
  I think it lends to their success. First there is a bit of a lack of supply feeling. I think it drives people to go because it’s closed on Sundays, even if those same people had no real intention to go on Sunday. People are weird like that. I also think every Sunday off helps them find and retain better workers.
listenallyall 7y ago
>> That’s not the type of thing many franchisees at other companies have the cash (or willingness) to do. I'd point out McDonald's as a major exception to this. In the past decade, MCD has completely razed and rebuilt from dirt a huge number of its freestanding stores. Yes the franchisees have complained and not all are down with the program but the new stores are generally far more comfortable and pleasant than the old-style, (yet iconic) red-roofs. I imagine far more profitable as well.

adaisadais 7y ago

Extremely well put. I completely concur. My first cousin is in the process of getting his “own” store now. While it has been a grind (he often worked the mythical 100+ hour week while in the Leadership Development Program) it will pay off handsomely. The best part of Chic-Fil-A (in my opinion) is not the food but their total devotion to the customer. The level of service you receive at a Chic-Fil-A freestanding store is unparalleled at virtually all other fast food joints (with the occasional exception of In-N-Out ((maybe the hyphens add to greater service?)) and most restaurants in general.

aabhay 7y ago
And perhaps apostrophes destroy the service culture? (McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Arby’s)
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- adaisadais 7y ago
  Haha you know, I think you are onto something! But the main thing is that most fast food businesses (and businesses in general) are so focused on revenue that their employees and customers suffer. I recently used a self-serve machine at Taco Bell (love the dreadful beef chalupa) and had a poor experience. The machine was too low for my height and unadjustable. Poor design really brings out the worst in the fast food experience.
  - kekeo 7y ago
    Wow. Touchscreen experience brings out the worst in an industry that sells junk food, and relies on not paying taxes and fighting fair wages to stay afloat. Mmk
chrismcb 7y ago
I don't eat at Chic fil a because I had a manager tell me my opinion is wrong and basically they don't care about the customers opinion. So it appears to me that they have absolutely zero devotion to the customer.
- fooker 7y ago
  Was your opinion wrong?
deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
vinniejames 7y ago
This doesn't really seem worth it by any measure: "In return for 60-hour work-weeks, an operator might take home 5-7% of revenue (around $150-$250k per year)." That comes out to around $50 - $83/hour, a nice wage but isn't going to bring any vast amount of wealth

Kikawala 7y ago

The take home for the owner of 3 CFAs in College Station, TX is $1.1m

btown 7y ago

And when Chick-Fil-A say they provide IT, it’s far far more than you might think! https://medium.com/@cfatechblog/bare-metal-k8s-clustering-at-chick-fil-a-scale-7b0607bd3541 https://medium.com/@cfatechblog/bare-metal-k8s-clustering-at... https://medium.com/@cfatechblog/edge-ai-in-a-smarter-chick-fil-a-6e56fe026154 https://medium.com/@cfatechblog/edge-ai-in-a-smarter-chick-f...

Reedx 7y ago

Something I've been curious about that maybe you or others here have some insight on: Do you think they'd do even better if they were open 7 days/wk? Or is taking a day off one of the things contributing to their success?

bronco21016 7y ago
I’m sure they would. On this point. They shouldn’t be allowed in certain locations in my opinion because of this policy. Certain airports are already limited on options for eating and then they close on Sunday. It turns the airport dining experience upside down and its incredibly frustrating.
- ksherlock 7y ago
  The Atlanta Falcons (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) Chick-Fil-A turns into a "Fries Up" restaurant on Sundays.
  - RickJWagner 7y ago
    What's "Fries Up"? Does that mean the same location and equipment are used for a 'different' restaurant?
    - pgrote 7y ago
      https://www.11alive.com/article/sports/nfl/superbowl/heres-how-the-chick-fil-a-inside-mercedes-benz-stadium-reinvented-itself-for-the-super-bowl/85-dac0f846-5b3e-47e6-b491-f3e93dee26a8 https://www.11alive.com/article/sports/nfl/superbowl/heres-h...
matwood 7y ago
I think it lends to their success. First there is a bit of a lack of supply feeling. I think it drives people to go because it’s closed on Sundays, even if those same people had no real intention to go on Sunday. People are weird like that. I also think every Sunday off helps them find and retain better workers.

listenallyall 7y ago

>> That’s not the type of thing many franchisees at other companies have the cash (or willingness) to do. I'd point out McDonald's as a major exception to this. In the past decade, MCD has completely razed and rebuilt from dirt a huge number of its freestanding stores. Yes the franchisees have complained and not all are down with the program but the new stores are generally far more comfortable and pleasant than the old-style, (yet iconic) red-roofs. I imagine far more profitable as well.