“So it was open 24 hours a day, six days a week, and it was very common back in the 1940s that a lot of places were closed on Sunday<\/a>,” Cathy told NBC’s “Today” co-anchor Craig Melvin in an interview.<\/p>\n “And so they wanted to do that. They wanted to have a chance to take a break \u2026 go to church, and for others just to take some rest.”<\/p>\n CHICK-FIL-A IS ONE OF AMERICA’S TOUGHEST FRANCHISES, AND THE STARTUP COST MAY SHOCK YOU<\/a><\/p>\n Employees seem to appreciate the policy, he noted, and they like knowing they’re guaranteed one day off every week.<\/p>\n Cathy, who has been Chick-fil-A’s CEO for the past five years, said he’s never considered how much revenue the chain<\/a> might be missing out on by remaining closed on Sundays.<\/p>\n Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy said he has never calculated how much money the chain could be losing by remaining closed on Sundays. (Paras Griffin\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “And that’s being truthfully honest with you. I never have because it’s never something that we’re entertaining. It’s just too important for us,” he said.<\/p>\n He noted that it’s a benefit of being a private, family-owned business that they can choose to continue implementing a policy that’s not maximizing sales.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n However, with an average annual sales volume<\/a> of $9,161,239 in 2025, Chick-fil-A outperformed multiple major fast-food chains including Wendy\u2019s and Burger King \u2014 despite being open six days a week.<\/p>\n The company receives about 150,000 franchise applications each year, Cathy told “Today.”\u00a0<\/p>\n The fast-food chain has long stood out for closing all of its restaurants on Sundays, a policy the CEO says isn’t going anywhere. (iStock)<\/p>\n Chick-fil-A opened 179 franchises and company-operated outlets in 2025, according to QSR Magazine, reaching 2,863 locations total.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n The fast-food chain has been using the same recipe for its classic chicken sandwich since 1967, when it was created by founder S. Truett Cathy.<\/p>\n The Cathy family\u2019s Christian faith<\/a> has long played a role in Chick-fil-A\u2019s practices.<\/p>\n Cathy said that employees appreciate knowing they’ll have a day off each week due to Chick-fil-A being closed on Sundays. (Elijah Nouvelage\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “It’s our anchor in the sense of what our corporate purpose states, that we’re in business to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that’s entrusted to us, and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A,” Cathy said.<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n While certain aspects of the company are not open to change, some areas, such as the menu, are currently evolving.<\/p>\n The chain recently announced the release of a new sauce, its first in 10 years.<\/p>\n![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/andrewcathy.png\")
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