How Chick-fil-A's restaurants sell three times as much as KFC
The fried chicken chain generates more revenue per restaurant than any other fast food chain in the US, according to a new QSR report.
Chick-fil-A's average sales per restaurant in 2014 were $3.1 million, according to the report. Fried chicken competitor KFC sold $960,000 per restaurant.
The sub chain Jason's Deli ranked a distant second with $2.7 million in per-restaurant sales, followed by Panera and McDonald's, each with $2.5 million in per-restaurant sales.
Despite its relatively small size, Chick-fil-A also ranks highly in terms of its total systemwide sales.
The chain generated nearly $5.8 billion in revenue in 2014, making it the eighth largest fast food chain in the US, according to QSR.
Chick-fil-A has only 1,887 restaurants primarily located in the Southeast, and none of its restaurants are open on Sundays. For comparison, McDonald's has more than 14,000 locations in the US, Taco Bell has 5,921, and KFC has 4,370 - most of which are open seven days a week.
Yet Chick-fil-A generates more annual revenue than dozens of other chains that have more than twice as many locations, such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Arby's.
So what are Chick-fil-A's secrets for success?
Chick-fil-A has a menu that is different enough to set it apart from fast food competitors.
The brand is best known for its chicken sandwich, which is typically served with waffle fries.
According to Chick-fil-A, the sandwich is "a boneless breast of chicken seasoned to perfection, hand-breaded, pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil and served on a toasted, buttered bun with dill pickle chips."
A popular breakfast version is served on a buttered biscuit. While no one knows the secret sauce, copycat recipes call for the chicken breast to be brined in pickle juice.
Chick-fil-A also offers ice cream, milkshakes, and wraps.
Long known as a carry-out dinner option, KFC has struggled to find its footing in the fast food space.