Chick-Fil-A, Perfect Fast Food?

Is there a better fast food experience than Chick-Fil-A? Forget fast food! How many fine restaurant experiences are as good, service-wise as this chicken place?

Snappy marketing (more about that in a minute), very friendly and sincere people, great food, lightning quick service, a well appointed and comfortable dining room and an unabashedly Christian environment all make this place a great spot to keep returning to.

On top of all that, they defy retail convention in almost everything they do. They have wonderful people roaming their dining room encouraging folks to get refills (even getting them for you) and linger.I was there last week with Matt Rhodes, my first visit for breakfast, when I heard this exchange between two older couples and the clerk behind the counter:

Person 1 (P1), "We've never been here before.....what's good?"
Clerk (C), "The chicken biscuit is good, you can get it with coffee and fries!"
P1, "OK! I'll have that"
C, "Thank you, that will be $1.59."
P1, "1.59? How can that be?"
C, "Well, sir, seniors get free coffee anytime and, for breakfast, they get a free side order so all you have to pay for is the chicken biscuit."
P1, "I can get free coffee anytime?"
C, "Yes, sir. That's correct"
P1, "Even if I don't order anything?"
C, "Yes, sir. We appreciate Seniors. They get special consideration at Chick-Fil-A."
P1, "How do you guys make any money?"
C, "Well, sir....we're blessed!"

Amazing! "Come in, get free food, hang around all day!" Now, if only they had Wi-Fi!

Chick-Fil-A's marketing is pretty neat as well:

Recent Comments from the Cows;

"Eat More Chicken"

"Don't Have a Cow"

"Save Our Hides"

"Lose That Burger Belly"

Here's the capper. When I stepped to the counter to make my order, the lady behind the counter looked at me and said, "Will that be all?" I said, "I'm a senior, do I get free coffee?" She replied, "I'll have to see some ID." I hesitantly showed her my driver's license. She looked at it and said, "I just wanted you to be able to tell your friends you got carded! How long has it been since you've had to prove your age?"

What a great place!