Chick-fil-A is one of the most popular fast-food chicken restaurants in the U.S. The demand for Chick-fil-A hasn’t slowed down. According to a 2021 survey by QSR Magazine, Chick-fil-A locations have an average of 4 cars waiting in the drive-through line, which is above McDonald’s average of 2.2 cars. Along with waffle fries and chicken sandwiches, the chain is known for its excellent customer service and long lines (which are definitely worth the wait). The only drawback for dedicated Chick-fil-A fans: the beloved chicken chain is closed on Sundays. 

So, where do devoted Chick-fil-A customers go on Sundays to satisfy their fast food cravings? We analyzed foot traffic of consumers, who visited Chick-fil-A locations at least once in the last year, to determine which fast-food restaurants they visit on Sundays.

The fast-food chain with the highest percentage of Chick-fil-A customer visits on Sundays was McDonald’s (26%), followed by Sonic Drive-In (17.2%), Subway (7.7%), and Taco Bell (4.5%). Chick-fil-A customers are more than likely looking for some variety by going to chains that focus on other types of fast food besides chicken. Interestingly, Chick-fil-A ranked as the seventh most visited fast food location on Sunday, suggesting that some customers may have mistakenly visited a location because they forgot it was closed. Culver’s, Jack in the Box, and Hardee’s had the lowest percentage of Chick-fil-A customer visits. Of all of Chick-fil-A’s chicken-centric competitors, most Chick-fil-A customers prefer to go to Zaxby’s (2.8%). Other top chicken chains like Popeyes (1.4%), Bojangles (1.4%), Raising Cane’s (1.7%), and KFC (1.9%) saw lower percentages of visits from Chick-fil-A customers than Zaxby’s. Furthermore, it’s interesting to see that all these chicken chains ranked low on the list, suggesting that Chick-fil-A’s customers are strongly loyal to the brand.

Being closed on Sunday reflects Chick-fil-A’s company identity and culture. But, should one of America’s most popular fast-food chicken chains reconsider this strategy? Based on our data, the answer appears to be a resounding yes. If Chick-fil-A was open on Sunday, it could increase sales by regaining back its customer base who often go to other fast-food chains that day. Before it fully commits to such a change, Chick-fil-A could test out being open on Sundays at certain locations to see where consumer demand is. For more information on how top brands can get ahead of their competitors with enterprise location intelligence, contact one of our experts today.