When Chick-Fil-A became popular, it was in the early 1960s. At this time, the company was started by S. Truett Cathy and his wife, Debby Cathy. Cathy was a fast-food restaurateur who had been in the business for several years when he decided to open a restaurant that served only chicken. He chose the name Chick-Fil-A because it was easy to say and remember.
Initially, the restaurant only served chicken sandwiches, but Cathy soon added other items, such as chicken nuggets, waffles, and salads. The restaurant initially struggled, but Cathy persevered and eventually the business grew. By 1984, Chick-Fil-A had over 1,600 locations worldwide. Today, the company has over 2,000 locations and is one of the largest fast-food chains in the United States.