This Is How Much Money Chick-Fil-A Could Make On Sundays

Chick-fil-A is a chicken-serving, money-making machine. It's the third-largest restaurant chain in the United States, and year after year, the Atlanta-based chain seems to be expanding its footprint and growing its sales (via Business Insider). Restaurant Business reports the restaurant brand made around $10 billion in sales in 2018, and its franchise operators make more than McDonald's franchise owners do. No wonder those cows want us to keep eating "mor chikin."

All of this is impressive on its own, but it's even more astounding that Chick-fil-A does this while being open just six days a week. No other major fast food chain does this and likely wouldn't dare think of closing on a weekend. Say what you want about how Chick-fil-A runs its business, but sticking to their guns is so far paying off. For argument's sake, though, just how much money could Chick-fil-A be making if they decided to open up those restaurant doors on Sundays?

Just about every Chick-fil-A on Saturday is busy, and it's not uncommon to see crowded parking lots and long lines. With some 2,400 restaurants operating throughout the United States, the chicken chain is giving up a lot of cash by not opening on Sunday — according to 24/7 Wallstreet, it's around $1.2 billion in sales a year. Neither Chick-fil-A, nor their competitor McDonald's, post how much they pull a day in sales, but it's estimated that Sundays might account for 15 percent of McDonald's sales. It's reasonable to believe Chick-fil-A's own potential sales would be somewhat similar. 

While technically, McDonald's and Starbucks might make more in the long run, when you break down the numbers, Chick-fil-A is winning. It has far fewer locations than both brands, and while no Chick-fil-A locations are open on Sundays, their restaurants are far more profitable than both Starbucks and McDonald's. For example, the average Chick-fil-A in 2017 made $4 million in sales, while the average McDonald's made $2.6 million and the average Starbucks made $945,000 (via Houston Chronicle). 

Chick-fil-A has opened its doors on Sunday before, but it's only been for relief situations like when the Atlanta airport had a power outage or to provide food following the Orlando Pulse night club shooting.

Choosing to close on Sundays might cost Chick-fil-A a major loss in profits, but according to restaurant industry experts John Hamburger and Mark Kalinowski, closing actually has its own benefits (via Business Insider). Not only does it give employees a guaranteed day off that as Hamburger puts it "conveys a sense of caring," but it probably boosts sales on Saturdays. "It provides a sense of urgency — you better get to that restaurant today, because they're going to be closed on Sunday," added Kalinowski.