The Surprising Amount Of Money The Average Chick-Fil-A Made During The Pandemic
In just 10 months, from March 2020 to January 2021, more than 110,000 restaurants all over the US permanently went out of business (via US Chamber of Commerce). With fewer customers, adjusted hours, and relying solely on to-go orders for business, the restaurant industry was hit especially hard by the effects of COVID-19.
In late April, the government announced the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a $28.6 billion grant program allowing restaurants and bars to apply for financial support based on pandemic-related lost revenue — but unfortunately, even with that assistance, not all businesses could recover and some are still backlogged from food shortages.
According to Best Life, even Starbucks, one of the most popular coffee chains in America, experienced nationwide restock shortages that are still affecting menu items such as their Refreshers, oat milk, flavored syrups, and even croissants and cake pops.
Chick-fil-A customers, on the other hand, fared better. Even while adhering to the proper social distancing and health guidelines, Chick-fil-A's numbers never wavered. In fact, the fast food chain experienced such financial success that it was able to open up even more franchise locations.
One Chick-fil-A location made $17 million in 2020
FOX Business reports that Chick-fil-A's non-mall locations made an average of $7,096,393 in 2020, while other locations of the fast food chain were in the $6 million range. And 45% of Chick-fil-A's franchises reported higher annual sales, with its most successful location making a whopping $17,164,510.
Chick-fil-A did so well during the pandemic, in fact, that none of its locations temporarily or permanently closed its doors in 2020, because they never ended up having to — and it wasn't that Chick-fil-A did anything out of the ordinary, it was simply that the brand has loyal customers.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Chick-fil-A is known for having really long drive-thru lines yet exceptional customer service. During the pandemic, those lines got even longer — at all fast-food joints, though, not just Chick-fil-A — because indoor dining was closed. However, because the brand's fans were already accustomed to waiting in long lines thanks to the consistency of its customer service and the quality of the food, business at the chain didn't suffer. As it turns out, fried chicken is that much more delicious when it's served by a friendly employee.