Chick-fil-A Raked in the Dough in 2011

Chick-fil-A exceeded the $4 billion mark in 2011 sales. A 13.08 percent increase from 2010, CFA is increasing its sales and giving cows across the country a little hope.

CFA, the originators of the chicken sandwich, also generated a 7 percent same-store sales increase, its 44th consecutive year of sales growth.

The overall growth was generated from several advancements in 2011 such as: introducing the Chick-Fil-A Spicy Chicken Biscuit and Multigrain Oatmeal to its breakfast menu, the opening of 92 new restaurant locations— surpassing the 1,600 mark, and marketing strategies that included a Breakfast Variety Giveaway promotion, giving out more than 830,000 breakfast entrees, and its annual Cow Appreciation Day where nearly 600,000 customers dressed as crazed human-cows received a free meal for their effort.

Its recognition by the Zagat National Fast Food Survey as one of the “Top Large Chains,” and title of Consumer Reports’ “Top Chicken Chain” shows that CFA is only getting more serious about its poultry dreams.

So what’s on tap for 2012? An estimated job increase of 7,000 employees, the opening of another 92 restaurants, (including more on-campus locations) and new menu items in the form of grilled chicken nuggets, warm chocolate chunk cookies, fudge brownies and sundaes.

As long as it can stay away from nugget-stuffing, collapsing teenagers, 2012 looks bright for the chicken-wielding restaurant.