THEN AND NOW: How Chick-fil-A has changed through the years

The first Chick-fil-A mall location opened in the Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1967.Chick-fil-A

• In 1946, Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy opened the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia.
• Years later, in 1967, Cathy invented the restaurant's original chicken sandwich, a menu item that would catapult his restaurant business to fame and success.
• Today, Chick-fil-A has been voted America's favorite fast-food chain, despite a history of controversy over same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ issues.

It's the third-largest fast food chain in America, it was named America's favorite fast-food chain, and it's home of the original chicken sandwich — that's right, we're talking about Chick-fil-A.

In the course of nearly three-quarters of a century, Chick-fil-A grew from a small roadside diner to one of the biggest and most influential chains in the US. During that time, the chain introduced a number of new menu items, experienced leadership changes, and responded to criticism over the brand's "Christian values" and donation practices.

However, one thing is for certain — the rise of America's biggest chicken chain isn't slowing anytime soon.

Here's how Chick-fil-A has changed through the years, from its roots as a suburban diner to America's favorite fast-food chain.