Most of the new units, 70, will be in stand-alone locations. Five will go into malls, and 15 are opening in non-traditional venues such as college campuses and airports. The company currently operates about 1,300 units in 37 states.
Management of the privately-held company says sales last year hit just under $2.3 billion, a 15.2% increase from 2005, passing the $2 billion mark for the first time. Same-store sales in 2006 soared up just over 8.5% from the previous year.
Other than new store openings, management also attributes the boost in sales, in part, to the introduction of hand-spun milkshakes to restaurant menus. In the previous year, the company rolled out its first premium-coffee beverages.
The first Chick-fil-A opened in 1967 in Atlanta's Greenbriar Mall. The chain's locations have been closed on Sunday since the concept started, due to founder Truett Cathy's religious beliefs.
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