Famed american fast food chain chick-fil-a looking at opening first SG outlet

The_King · March 7

Prepare to ‘eat mor chikin’: American chicken-centric fast food chain Chick-fil-A has plans to open its first Singapore outlet.

The family-owned brand was founded in 1967 by restaurateur S. Truett Cathy, who set up the first Chick-fil-A diner in an Atlanta mall. It has since grown into a chain with over 3,000 outlets across the US and reportedly the third-largest domestic sales after McDonald’s and Starbucks.

Despite being a purveyor of all things chicken, Chick-fil-A is also known for its cheeky cow mascots urging people to “eat mor chikin”. The 'A' in its name is capitalised to represent the Grade A quality of its food and operations.

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Chick-fil-A's Original Chicken Sandwich

“Home of the Original Chicken Sandwich”

As its name (pronounced ‘chick fillet’) suggests, Chick-fil-A’s most famous offering is its hearty Original Chicken Sandwich, which has a piece of breaded boneless chicken breast “pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil and served on a toasted, buttery bun with dill pickle chips.”

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Grilled Spicy Deluxe Sandwich

The small but incredibly focused menu also serves a variety of chicken sandwiches and other comfort food, including a Spicy Deluxe Sandwich with pepper jack cheese, tomato and lettuce, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Nuggets, chicken tenders called Chick-n-Strips, chicken-topped salads, and sides like Chicken Tortilla Soup.

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Opening in Asia

American media reported last year that Chick-fil-A Inc. is looking to expand worldwide by opening new outlets in Europe and Asia by 2026. The US$1bil plan will include locations in five international markets by 2030, according to The Wall Street Journal. It currently has branches outside of the US in Puerto Rico and Canada.

Chick-fil-A’s third-gen chief executive and Truett Cathy’s grandson, Andrew Cathy, told the publication that further expansion was necessary for the privately-held, family-run business to “continue to innovate and try and test how we will do in international markets so that we can learn.”

Meanwhile, there is already a Chick-fil-A head office set up in Singapore. In January, it posted a local job ad for a head of training position. The post’s job scope included training “operators and restaurant staff members operating restaurants in Singapore and Asia by providing customised training programmes.”

In response to enquiries from 8days.sg, Chick-fil-A (Asia)’s Head of Asia Pacific, Hugh S. Park, shares that the company is “looking at several possible locations throughout Asia, including Singapore”, to set up shop.

He adds: “In terms of operating model, our success in the US is directly tied to the passion and drive of the local owner-operator whose goal is to be a positive influence on the people and community they serve. And we endeavour to maintain this approach in our international expansion.”

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Unusual franchise model

While most fast food chains operate on a business model where franchisees run their overseas outlets independently, Chick-fil-A’s approach is unusual. Interested parties who want to open a franchised restaurant go through an “intensive and lengthy selection process”, with an acceptance rate that is said to be as competitive as top universities like Harvard and Stanford.

Successful applicants pay only a minimal franchise fee and are not expected to invest a lot of capital, as Chick-fil-A covers most of the startup costs involved but charges the franchisee rent, a base operating fee and profit-sharing. Franchisees are typically not allowed to open multiple outlets, as they are expected to be hands-on and attentive in running their existing store.

As the brand’s website stated pragmatically: “Franchising is not an opportunity for passive financial investment, working from the sidelines, or adding to a portfolio of business ventures. It often requires long hours and leading a team of mostly young, hourly-paid employees. It’s hard work – but it’s exceedingly rewarding.” Intense, but Chick-fil-A’s commitment to quality control is widely regarded as the reason why it managed to capture a large market share.

Watch this space for more updates.

Photos: Chick-fil-A / Wikipedia

No part of this story or photos can be reproduced without permission from 8days.sg.