This Is Why the ‘A’ in Chick-fil-A Is Capitalized

Brand names are so catchy that it’s easy to say them a thousand times without wondering what, exactly, they mean. For instance, the chick in Chick-fil-A is easy to understand (delicious chicken recipes, of course), but what does the A stand for in Chick-fil-A? And why is it capitalized?

What does the ‘A’ stand for in Chick-fil-A?

The name is a play on Chick-fillet, written as fil-A. And if you remember your school report cards, the capital A will make sense. The A stands for “Grade A.” That’s top of the class, the best of the best. The grade covers the quality and flavor of the food, as well as the brand’s high standard of service. Chick-fil-A takes pride in its friendly, welcoming staff. That’s one reason the workers always say “my pleasure.”

How did Chick-fil-A start?

Many fast food restaurant names have interesting origins, and Chick-fil-A’s is no exception. Oddly enough, founder S. Truett Cathy’s first restaurant was called The Dwarf Grill and didn’t serve much chicken at all. Then, in 1964, Cathy created a nearly perfect chicken sandwich—with chicken and pickles on a toasted bun—and called it the Chick-fil-A. The crispy chicken sandwich was popular enough to launch an entire new enterprise. Decades later, it remains one of the most popular sandwiches in the country, and came near the top in our official fast-food chicken sandwich taste test. If you automatically order the classic every time you head to Chick-fil-A, we wouldn’t blame you, but it’s worth checking out the secret menu for extra special dishes, including the chicken, egg and cheese biscuit.