Comments on: Does It Really Matter What You, Or Anyone, Thinks Of Chick-fil-A?

By: barrett

barrett — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:22:23 +0000

Davina, you have a point about the free food! But I will say, CFA has done a good job of making “free” work with their personality. Most times I’ve gotten a free something or other from CFA, it was given to me by the manager, who made me, my friends and family feel like part of the CFA family. (More benefits of having the franchise boss working full-time at the store!) The only problem for me is that there’s no CFA anywhere near where I live. So when I visit the Southeast… I do tend to overdo it. My wife just rolls her eyes and tolerates it.
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By: Davina K. Brewer

Davina K. Brewer — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:13:21 +0000

Damn, wish I had seen this before I wrote my post – totally on the mark. You’re right about knowing your core customers and NOT trying to be something else. Apple has never tried to be for everyone; they’re for Apple customers – and they’ve actually brought in more doing so. Something happens when you combine service, quality and (perceived) value = you get brands that build/hold loyalty. CFA has that – though I’ll still argue that free is free; if McDs gave out free food for a year on opening, it’d gather a pretty big crowd too. FWIW.
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By: David

David — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 20:17:16 +0000

Yes, it’s probably an overstatement to assume that CFA intended it’s anti-gay funding and statements as a marketing ploy. More likely, it’s just the Cathys using their resources to push their anti-gay personal views. Still, the effect is that CFA has become a political litmus test: conservatives love it and liberals hate it. Who knew that eating a chicken sandwich could be a political statement? Is that a good thing?

And, yes, I think it’s time for another ride down the Centennial Trail. What say you?

By: barrett

barrett — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 04:41:12 +0000

David, my friend: Are you laying a clever trap, or tossing me a softball?

I wouldn’t say they’ve “positioned” themselves against “enemies.” They’re just very religious people doing what they believe, which they would do whether they generated $4 billion a year in revenue, or owned just a single diner. The result is an environment where a huge (and you might say underserved) part of the market feels at home.

The Chick-fil-A owners donate quite bit each year for scholarships, youth camps and marriage counseling — all of which reflect their beliefs. They also contribute to conservative family-values groups, which is controversial to some people. And that’s really what the whole flap is about.

(Really, Dan Cathy only stated Barack Obama’s position for the 2008 election campaign, up until a few months ago. But everyone knows that Cathy actually means it.)

You could say CFA is the opposite of a greedy, soulless corporation, and call them exemplary for living their values.

You could also compare them companies that contribute to left-leaning causes, like Progressive Insurance, Starbucks, Costco, Microsoft, Citi and many others. But unlike those guys, Chick-fil-A is privately held, and not contributing shareholder money.

We should get together soon in person and bridge the political divide.
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By: David

David — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 18:17:06 +0000

Hey Barrett, the flap doesn’t seem to affect CFA one way or the other, but doesn’t it further divide the country? As a marketing strategy, I’d put it in the same camp with News Corp’s “hate liberals and love us” slant. Defining one’s market by positioning against political and religious enemies may be effective in an atavistic tribal sense, and it may even be good business, but is it good citizenship?

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:48:52 +0000

Well said. I went to two different CFA yesterday on Customer Appreciation Day. They had police directing traffic at lunch. You might have thought by the crowd that they were giving away free food. No, just loyal customers showing they support CFA. People realize that the liberal establishment is trying to tear down a good company. I couldn’t be more proud of the way people responsed and showed CFA they are appreciated for how they run their company. Every company wishes they could have loyal customers like Chick Fil A.

By: barrett

barrett — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:10:01 +0000

Oh Bill… KFC, how does your stomach handle it? No accounting for taste, I guess.

That’s too bad about your son’s experience. Quality control in that kind of business must be very tough. As someone who doesn’t live anywhere near a CFA, I visit when I travel. I’m generally blown away by the cleanliness and friendliness. As I wrote above, I think they’ll do very well going forward.

I’ve heard from friends in Virginia that there are lines out the door today. Now THAT’s some brand power.
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By: Bill Dorman

Bill Dorman — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:56:54 +0000

True story; my son loved to eat at Chik-fil-A so he thought he’d get a job there in high school. The job was ok, but needless to say he doesn’t like Chik-fil-A quite as much now; now that he has seen the food prep.

If you know anything about Chik-fil-A and its owner, it should have not been surprising to anyone what he said. Whether you concur with him or not, he has a strong belief system and he’s consistent…..but also consistently going to the bank.

This won’t be a blip on their radar. They will not change their ways.

I don’t eat there, never have; not because of any certain type of belief system, I’ve just never been impressed with it. KFC baby….
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