Chick-fil-A CEO Discusses Company Policies and Future Plans on TODAY
CEO Andrew Cathy emphasized the chain's focus on hospitality and its charitable shift toward education, homelessness and hunger, while addressing past controversy over LGBTQ+ issues.
Chick-fil-A chief executive Andrew Cathy told Craig Melvin on TODAY that the company’s priority is hospitality, quality food and service, inviting anyone who has not yet visited to try its menu. He said the chain welcomes all customers and aims to provide a positive dining experience.
Cathy noted that after criticism over past charitable donations to groups opposed to same-sex marriage, the company changed its giving strategy in 2019 to support only organizations focused on education, homelessness and hunger. He declined to discuss the earlier controversy in detail, reiterating that the business serves everyone who walks through its doors.
The interview also covered the chain’s long-standing practice of closing on Sundays, which Cathy said reflects the family’s Christian faith and gives employees a guaranteed day off. He stated that the company has never calculated the revenue loss from being closed on that day, emphasizing that the decision aligns with its values rather than profit motives.
Regarding pricing, Cathy affirmed that Chick-fil-A has not reduced portion sizes despite broader industry trends, and he highlighted the menu’s protein content, noting more than 28 items contain at least 25 grams of protein. He mentioned exploratory work on artificial intelligence for back-of-house operations and a limited test of a cauliflower sandwich, which did not generate sufficient demand to continue.
When asked about succession, Cathy said the decision will rest with his four children, encouraging them to pursue their own passions rather than feeling obligated to take over the family business.