Chick-fil-A Subtly Announces It Is An Experience Company

We’ve known for some time that Chick-fil-A produces experiences, not just chicken sandwiches. Daddy Date Night, Tuesday Night School Nights, and so on.

In a recent email advertisement for Chick-n-Minis (yes, it’s OK to eat chicken at every meal now), this tag-along announcement appeared. It reads: At Chick-fil-A, we love creating unique and wonderful experiences for our customers–and they love sharing about them! Chick-fil-A stories is our way of helping customers share their experiences, and we invite you to read, watch and listen to what they’re raving about.

It sounds like me writing (experiences, stories, raving) !

One couple got engaged at a Chick-fil-A restaurant and shared that story. Then the Chick-fil-A cow came to their wedding for some special photographs. You’ve got to really love something to have the mascot attend your wedding.

If you were the Chick-fil-A store manager, would you let your employee go to the wedding? Would you pay them to attend? Think about it for a minute. Your brand will be in a photo album for 50+ years with possibly hundreds of views. The images everyone takes (not just the wedding photographer) will live on-line for a really long time generating laughs and great memories thousands of time. Seems like a pretty good deal to me.

In its humble, servant leadership fashion, the folks at Chick-fil-A have opened up this story idea to the public. Visit the Chick-fil-A Story page by clicking here and see some of the other stories customers are sharing about how much the restaurant-and its values-are a part of their life.

Interestingly, you won’t find many stories about great food. You will find stories about how the people behind the brand make people feel great. And that attitude–and the constant attention to creating meaningful moments–is what makes the brand great.

Stories are more than just website fodder at Chick-fil-A. They’re a way of teaching,motivating, and celebrating. Check out this short film from the other side of the counter. Imagine watching this piece as a new hire…

Chick-fil-A is set to become debt free this year and having reached the 1,500 store mark, the family owned and operated business is embarking on an aggressive expansion plan that will take it across the US. With stories like these, and the ones to come, they’re sure to warm hearts and be welcome in any market they decide to enter.