Chick-Fil-A Makes How Much per Store?! | Plus Chili’s, Taco Bell, and Other Restaurant News

Why It Matters

Chick‑fil‑A’s modest growth amid robust AUVs shows the brand’s durability, but rising competition from fast‑casual chicken concepts could reshape market share and investment strategies in the QSR sector.

Key Takeaways

• Chick‑fil‑A posted $23.9 bn sales, up 5.2% year‑over‑year overall.
• Systemwide growth slowed to single‑digit, its first plateau in decades.
• Average unit volume stayed near $9.2 million, outpacing many casual concepts.
• Competitors like Raising Canes and Dave’s Hot Chicken post double‑digit gains.
• Emerging brands such as Huey Mcuz expand aggressively, intensifying chicken‑segment competition.

Summary

The Extra Serving podcast opened with a deep dive into Chick‑fil‑A’s latest financial disclosure, revealing $23.9 billion in systemwide sales for the year – a 5.2% increase that marks the chain’s first return to single‑digit growth after more than two decades of double‑digit expansion.

Analysts highlighted that despite the slower top‑line, the chain’s average unit volume (AUV) held steady at roughly $9.2 million per freestanding restaurant, outpacing many casual‑dining concepts. Compared with broader QSR chicken sales, which rose 3.1%, Chick‑fil‑A still led the segment, while peers such as Bojangles posted 3.7% growth. Fast‑casual chicken brands like Raising Canes (+10.6%) and Dave’s Hot Chicken (+51%) demonstrated far stronger momentum, underscoring a shifting competitive landscape.

The hosts quoted industry insiders noting the inevitability of a growth plateau and praised Chick‑fil‑A’s resilience given its Sunday‑closed model. They also cited emerging players – Huey Mcuz’s aggressive Texas rollout and Bonry Bakery’s Savory Fund‑backed expansion – as evidence that the chicken category remains fertile ground for new entrants and franchise innovation.

For investors and operators, the data signals that while Chick‑fil‑A’s brand power remains formidable, the broader market is fragmenting with high‑growth challengers. Companies must balance unit‑level profitability with strategic expansion, especially as legacy chains like McDonald’s and Taco Bell double‑down on chicken offerings to capture shifting consumer preferences.

Original Description

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Chick-fil-A’s wild 2025 sales figures, Chili’s position on the casual-dining leaderboard, and Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Diablo Dust. First up is Chick-fil-A, which released its latest Franchise Disclosure Document detailing 5.2% sales growth in 2025. Sam and Alicia discuss that figure and how — despite growth being slower than the previous year — it’s still a massive win for the chicken chain, which enjoys AUVs similar to casual and fine-dining chains. They then pivot to the extra serving portion of the episode, where managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister joins to discuss developments from several regional restaurant chains, including Huey Magoo’s, Bonrue Bakery, and Tijuana Flats. Next Sam and Alicia discuss Chili’s 2025 performance, which, according to Technomic Ignite data, propelled the chain to the No. 2 position among casual-dining chains, surpassing Olive Garden. While it may not seem like a big deal, Sam and Alicia explore the significance of the move and how the full-service side of the industry seems to be dividing into the haves and have nots. Finally, they tackle Taco Bell’s new roll out of its Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Diablo Dust, a menu item that follows a restaurant industry trend leveraging spices and seasonings as a flavor enhancer. Alicia — who tried the new nuggets at Taco Bell’s Live Mas Live event in Hollywood — explains why this is a natural progression from the trend in sauces.

For more on these stories:

Chick-fil-A’s unit volumes hit a ceiling

Chili’s is now the second-largest U.S. casual-dining chain

Taco Bell heats up its Crispy Chicken Nuggets with a layer of Diablo Dust

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