Atlanta’s southside is where the legend started. In Hapeville, GA, founder S. Truett Cathy developed the chicken sandwich that would travel the nation.
🧭 About this series
I’ve lived across multiple states over the past two years and found real joy in discovering franchise restaurants I’d never seen before. To satisfy that curiosity, I’m launching The Original series—where these brands began and why they still feel local. Start with Krystal to see how this project began.
📜 A Short History
- 1946 — Cathy opens Dwarf Grill (later The Dwarf House) in Hapeville.
- 1964 — After hundreds of tests, he finalizes the Original Chicken Sandwich: chicken breast, two pickles, toasted buttery bun.
- 1967 — First Chick-fil-A restaurant opens at Greenbriar Mall (Atlanta).
- 1986 — First free-standing Chick-fil-A opens (beyond the mall model).
- Today — The brand spans the U.S. and beyond, with 3,000+ restaurants.
✨ Why This Brand Is Special
- Signature prep: Hand-breaded chicken cooked in fully refined peanut oil for a clean, crisp bite.
- Service culture: Friendly, efficient, and closed on Sundays—a founder tradition so Team Members can rest, spend time with family, or worship if they choose. It’s part of the brand’s identity.
- Sauces people crave: Chick-fil-A® Sauce (fan favorite), Polynesian, Garden Herb Ranch, Barbeque, Honey Mustard, Zesty Buffalo, Sweet & Spicy Sriracha, plus Honey Roasted BBQ (often with grilled items). Bottled sauces are also sold at many U.S. groceries.
- Southern roots: A simple menu built around a single great idea—that 1964 sandwich—paired with craveable sides like waffle fries.
- Seasonal favorites: Limited-time treats keep things fresh—Peach Milkshake in summer, Peppermint Chip Milkshake during the holidays, and occasional LTO sandwiches (e.g., Honey Pepper Pimento).
🐮 Brand Story: Why the Cows Work
Three cheerful cows beg us to “Eat Mor Chikin”—a self-preservation joke that instantly nudges chicken over beef. The intentionally misspelled, hand-painted letters read like a roadside plea, so the punchline lands in one glance and sticks. Playful, memorable, unmistakably Chick-fil-A.
The Original Location (Visit This!)
Image Credit: Chick-Fil-A Official Website
The Dwarf House
461 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
- Sit-down, counter, and drive-thru service.
- Expanded, nostalgia-rich menu (e.g., fried okra, green beans, cornbread—items you won’t see at typical stores).
- Tip: Hours and offerings can change. Check the location page before you go. All Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Sundays.
Nationwide Footprint
- Scale: More than 3,000 restaurants across 48 U.S. states + D.C., Puerto Rico, and Canada.
- Estimate: ~3,279 U.S. locations (July 2, 2025, third-party count).
- Heavy presence: Strongest in the Southeast and East (e.g., Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina).
- Yes, the West too: Significant West Coast & Mountain West presence—California (200+ locations), plus Washington, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, and more. Hawaiʻi has locations as well.
- Where not yet: As of this writing, Alaska and Vermont do not have a Chick-fil-A.
🍔 What to Order (Fan-Favorite Trio)
Image Credit: Chick-Fil-A Official Website
Image Credit: Chick-Fil-A Official Website
- Original Chicken Sandwich — The 1964 classic. Clean crunch, two pickles, buttery bun.
- Waffle Potato Fries — Crisp ridges. Great with Chick-fil-A Sauce.
- Spicy Chicken Sandwich (or a seasonal shake) — Try the Peach Milkshake when it’s in season (summer; dates vary by year—check the app) or the Peppermint Chip during the holidays.
- At The Dwarf House: add Fried Okra or Cornbread for a one-of-a-kind, original-site extra.
💡 Freebies & Special Tips
- Join Chick-fil-A One® (the app) — Earn points on every order. Tiers: Member (0), Silver (from 1,000 pts), Red (from 4,000 pts), Signature (from 10,000 pts). Perks grow as you level up.
- Birthday treat — A reward appears in the app around your birthday (varies by tier). Enter your birth date at least 24 hours in advance; reward typically valid 30 days. Offers may change.
- Scan every time — Mobile order or in-store, scan to earn points and access rotating app-only offers.
- Note: Promotions may vary by location; the store’s policy always wins.