With sales up 13.84% in 1994 thanks to an innovative campaign of opening restaurants in unconventional locations such as at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Chick-fil-A, Inc., the Atlanta-based quick-service chicken retailer, said it will continue to expand internationally in its effort to reach $1 billion in sales by the year 2000.
The company reported 1994 systemwide sales at nearly 600 stores of more than $451 million – the chain’s 27th consecutive annual sales increase.
Chick-fil-A, third-largest company of its type in the U.S., last year opened 60 outlets, with only four in traditional mall environments. The others were free-standing, drive-through and in supermarkets.
Chick-fil-A also branched out internationally by setting up a restaurant at the university in Edmonton through Canada’s leading contract food-service company, Versa Services.
“We are also seeing heightened interest at other non-traditional sites such as medical facilities, business and industrial sites,” said James L.S. Collins, president.
Mr. Collins predicted Chick-fil-A will open 110 outlets nationwide in 1995 with 20 in Kroger stores. The company opened four stores in Krogers in 1994.
The company has no specific plans to open outlets outside the U.S., but is interested in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America as well as Canada, according to a spokesman.
For more information, call Don Perry or Jerry Johnston at (404) 765-8140.