Chick-fil-A CEO Orders Up a 'Healthy Dose of Fear' as Rivals Circle

Chicken chain sales grew 5.3% in 2025, nearly double the 3% growth of the restaurant industry overall and more than triple the 1.5% posted by burger chains, according to Technomic data cited by Restaurant Business. That surge explains why the biggest player in fast food is now hunting chicken market share.

McDonald's has laid out an $8.5 billion modernization plan that includes a stated goal of gaining 1.5 points of chicken market share by 2030. The company is already testing hand-breaded chicken in the U.S. and Ireland, Restaurant Business reports.

Challengers have been fueling the category's rise. Raising Cane's, Dave's Hot Chicken and Wingstop have all contributed to the segment's outsized growth, according to the Technomic figures.

What does the category leader say about the pressure?

Andrew Cathy, CEO of category leader Chick-fil-A, says he welcomes the intensified competition. "I love competition. It just makes us better," Cathy told Restaurant Business. The former high school coach made the comments as rivals, including the world's largest burger chain, push directly into his core product.

Cathy frames the threat in internal terms rather than external ones. His biggest worry, he said, is moving too slowly. To guard against complacency, he wants his team to carry what he calls a "healthy dose of fear."

How does Chick-fil-A plan to stay on top?

Cathy's strategy centers on operational basics rather than novelty. His priorities:

• Accurate orders
• Good food
• Warm hospitality

That back-to-basics philosophy extends to technology decisions. Chick-fil-A has no plans to replace human order takers with AI, according to Restaurant Business — a notable stance at a moment when much of the industry is racing to automate the drive-thru.

Why does the math favor chicken?

The growth gap is stark. At 5.3%, chicken chains grew faster than the broader restaurant industry's 3% and burger chains' 1.5% in 2025. A category expanding at that pace naturally attracts capital and competitive entry, which is exactly what McDonald's $8.5 billion plan represents.

For Chick-fil-A, the question is whether execution fundamentals — order accuracy, food quality, hospitality — can hold off a competitor with McDonald's scale and a defined share target for 2030. Cathy is betting they can, provided his organization keeps the fear close.