Mia Patel
Chick-fil-A is an American fast-food chain that was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy, a devout Southern Baptist. The chain has since expanded to over 3,000 locations across the country, with a significant presence in the Southern United States. In 2007, Chick-fil-A expanded its presence in St. Louis, Missouri, opening its first freestanding restaurant in Chesterfield and adding to its existing locations within 25 miles of the city, including at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the St. Clair Square mall. However, according to some sources, Chick-fil-A had been present in St. Louis as early as 1980, with a location in the Jamestown Mall.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Chick-fil-A in St. Louis | October 4, 1980, at Jamestown Mall |
| First St. Louis city location | Opened on January 11 |
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What You'll Learn
- Chick-fil-A opened its first St. Louis city location in January 2019
- The company was founded by S Truett Cathy in 1967
- Chick-fil-A has the highest per-store sales of any US fast-food chain
- The company has faced controversy over its stance on same-sex marriage
- The first St. Louis location was in Jamestown Mall
Chick-fil-A opened its first St. Louis city location in January 2019
Chick-fil-A has had a presence in the St. Louis area since at least the 1980s, with one source citing an opening date of October 4, 1980, for a location in Jamestown Mall. However, it appears that this location, along with several others in the St. Louis area, were restricted to malls. In 2007, Chick-fil-A expanded further into St. Louis by opening its first freestanding restaurant in Chesterfield.
In January 2019, Chick-fil-A took another significant step by opening its first location within the city of St. Louis. This marked a return to the area, as the company had previously left St. Louis for a period, with many mall locations closing. The new city location allowed Chick-fil-A to solidify its presence in the St. Louis market and bring its signature offerings to a new customer base.
The opening of the first city location in St. Louis was part of Chick-fil-A's broader expansion strategy, which has seen it become one of the largest fast-food chains in the United States. With a focus on stand-alone units, the company has been able to establish a strong presence in suburban areas across the country. As of 2025, Chick-fil-A has over 3,000 locations, with an average unit volume of $7.5 million per location, the highest among major U.S. fast-food chains.
Chick-fil-A's success can be attributed to several factors, including its commitment to customer service and its unique business strategies. The company has also gained attention for its religious affiliation and conservative stances, including its opposition to same-sex marriage and its tradition of closing on Sundays. Despite some controversies, Chick-fil-A has maintained its popularity, with many customers appreciating its quality products and distinctive brand identity.
With its first city location in St. Louis, Chick-fil-A has been able to strengthen its connection to the local community and provide greater accessibility to its customers in the area. The opening of this location demonstrates Chick-fil-A's continued growth and its ability to adapt to new markets while staying true to its founding values and traditions.
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The company was founded by S Truett Cathy in 1967
Chick-fil-A was founded by S. Truett Cathy in 1967. The first Chick-fil-A restaurant was opened in Atlanta's Greenbriar Shopping Centre in 1967. Cathy founded the company when he was 46 years old. He grew up in poverty, selling soft drinks in his front yard at 8 years old and later taking on an Atlanta Journal paper route.
Cathy was a devout Southern Baptist, and his religious beliefs had a major impact on the company. He taught Sunday school at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Georgia, for over 50 years, and the Bible was his "guidebook for life". Due to his strong religious beliefs, all Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sundays, as well as on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. This policy allows employees to attend church and spend time with their families.
Cathy was also a committed philanthropist. He established the WinShape Foundation in 1984, a non-profit organisation that sponsors scholarships, camps, and foster care programs. He also fostered children for more than 30 years and received the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership in 2008. In addition, Chick-fil-A has given more than $35 million in college scholarships to its restaurant team members.
Cathy was closely involved in the company until his retirement in November 2013, when he stepped down as chairman and CEO, passing the roles to his son, Dan Cathy. Cathy died at the age of 93 on September 8, 2014, and his widow, Jeannette, died in 2015.
As for its presence in St. Louis, Chick-fil-A has been expanding in the city since at least 2007, when it opened its first freestanding restaurant in Chesterfield. It now has several stores within 25 miles of St. Louis, including locations at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Des Peres' West County Center, and the St. Clair Square mall in Fairview Heights.
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Chick-fil-A has the highest per-store sales of any US fast-food chain
Chick-fil-A is a fast-food chain that began in 1967 in Atlanta, Georgia. The company has since expanded to over 3,000 locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. In 2007, Chick-fil-A expanded to St. Louis, Missouri, opening a store in Chesterfield, its first freestanding restaurant in the area. The company now has a South County location in St. Louis.
Chick-fil-A has experienced massive popularity and success in recent years, with consumers rating it as their favorite restaurant brand. In 2022, Chick-fil-A grossed an average of $6.71 million per restaurant, the highest sales of all fast-food restaurants in the United States. The chain achieved this with 3,109 locations, compared to McDonald's 13,559 U.S. locations. Chick-fil-A's average unit volume was $7.5 million per location, the highest among major U.S. fast-food chains.
Chick-fil-A's unique franchise system, where each owner runs a single location, gives the company a competitive edge. The chain's focus on customer service and investments in technology have also contributed to its success. In 2024, Chick-fil-A reported system-wide sales of $22 billion, ranking it among the top three U.S. restaurant chains by sales.
Chick-fil-A's business strategy involves a focus on a small menu, primarily consisting of chicken sandwiches. The company's emphasis on customer service and its unique business strategies have contributed to its success and rapid growth. Despite controversies surrounding the company's conservative stance on same-sex marriage, Chick-fil-A has maintained its popularity, with the 2022 American Customer Satisfaction Index finding it to be the country's favorite fast-food chain for the eighth consecutive year.
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The company has faced controversy over its stance on same-sex marriage
Chick-fil-A opened its first store in St. Louis in 2007, in Chesterfield Mall. Since then, it has expanded to other locations in the St. Louis area, including South County, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Des Peres' West County Center, and the St. Clair Square Mall in Fairview Heights.
Controversy over Stance on Same-Sex Marriage
Chick-fil-A has faced significant controversy over its stance on same-sex marriage. The company's conservative opposition to same-sex marriage has sparked protests and boycott attempts. In 2012, Chick-fil-A's chief operating officer, Dan T. Cathy, made several public statements against same-sex marriage, saying that those who supported it were “inviting God's judgment on our nation." These comments caused widespread backlash, with politicians, businesses, and LGBT activists expressing their disapproval. The Jim Henson Company, which had a licensing deal with Chick-fil-A, ended their relationship and donated their payment to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
In response to the controversy, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee initiated a Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day movement to counter the boycotts. Many of the chain's stores reported record numbers of customers on that day. Despite the controversy, Chick-fil-A remained the country's favorite fast-food chain for several years, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
Chick-fil-A's stance on same-sex marriage has also affected its expansion plans. In 2019, the company opened stores in Reading, UK, and Aviemore, Scotland, but both locations closed within a year amid protests and controversy over the company's donations to anti-LGBTQ causes. In 2019, Chick-fil-A appointed its first head of diversity and shifted its charitable activities to focus on education and hunger alleviation rather than opposing same-sex marriage. The company's president, Tim Tassopoulos, announced in 2019 that they would stop donating to organizations like The Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which have been criticized for their stance on LGBTQ rights.
While Chick-fil-A has faced intense scrutiny for its stance on same-sex marriage, it began to loosen its position on the issue from 2019. In an interview in 2014, Dan Cathy expressed regret for making the company a symbol in the marriage debate and acknowledged that his anti-equality stance might not have been a wise business decision. However, he affirmed that his personal views on same-sex marriage remained unchanged.
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The first St. Louis location was in Jamestown Mall
Chick-fil-A is a fast-food restaurant chain that was started by S. Truett Cathy in 1946 in Hapeville, Georgia. The chain expanded in the 1970s and 1980s by opening new locations in suburban malls' food courts. The first Chick-fil-A in St. Louis opened in Jamestown Mall on October 4, 1980.
The company is still family-owned and has kept traditions started by its founder. All Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sundays, in accordance with the family's Christian heritage. Dan Cathy, the current president and COO, regularly opens new stores with an invocation, and prayer is common at the company headquarters.
The Chick-fil-A chain has expanded in St. Louis since its first location in Jamestown Mall. In 2007, the company opened its first freestanding restaurant in Chesterfield. As of 2007, there were four stores within 25 miles of St. Louis, including locations at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Des Peres' West County Center, and the St. Clair Square Mall in Fairview Heights.
Chick-fil-A has continued to expand in St. Louis and across the United States. As of 2023, the company has over 3,000 locations nationwide, with plans to continue opening new stores. Despite numerous controversies and boycott attempts, Chick-fil-A remains a popular fast-food chain, known for its customer service and focus on selling chicken sandwiches.
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Frequently asked questions
Chick-fil-A opened its first St. Louis location in Jamestown Mall on October 4, 1980.
There is a Chick-fil-A in Sunset Hills, St. Louis.
Yes, Chick-fil-A opened its first freestanding restaurant in Chesterfield in 2007.
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