http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/2036 ... ed-sundays

Chick-fil-A stand in Mercedes-Benz Stadium to be closed on Sundays

5:03 PM CT
Darren Rovell
ESPN Senior Writer

Atlanta Falcons fans won't get their Chick-fil-A fix at the team's new Mercedes-Benz Stadium for most of the team's games, as the restaurant's stand will be closed on Sunday.

The franchise famous for its chicken sandwich is closed on Sundays, and only one of the team's eight home games isn't on a Sunday -- a Thursday night matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 7.

A source said the digital signage in the Chick-fil-A stand will be flipped when the stand is closed and it will be used by stadium concessionaire Levy to sell other nonbranded food and beverage items.

With its headquarters in Atlanta, Chick-fil-A has had licensed locations at sports stadiums around town, including the Braves' new SunTrust Park. It also had kiosks in the Falcons' old stomping grounds at the Georgia Dome. Even those licensed locations must abide by the chain's founder Truett Cathy's mandate to keep things closed on the seventh day of the week for rest and worship.


The Chick-fil-A stand inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be closed for seven of the Falcons' eight regular-season games because of chain founder Truett Cathy's mandate to keep the franchise closed on Sundays. Darren Rovell/ESPN
Luckily for Falcons fans, there are many competing chicken sandwiches inside the stadium, which will be available on all game days. Former "Top Chef" contestant Kevin Gillespie pays homage to Chick-fil-A with his Closed on Sundays chicken sandwich, fried chicken on a roll with a pickle, mayo and honey butter. Another breaded chicken sandwich is available at the Westside Works stand, a partnership between Falcons owner Arthur Blank and the local community.

The stand will be open for the two college football games, dubbed the Chick-fil-A Kickoff games, during the season's opening week. The game between Alabama and Florida State is on Saturday, Sept. 2, while the Georgia Tech-Tennessee game will take place two days later on a Monday. The stand will also be open for non-Sunday games played by the Falcons' co-tenant, the Atlanta United of Major League Soccer, also owned by Blank.

While fans of the Chick-fil-A brand are often baffled by the idea of being closed one day a week, Cathy, who died in 2014, always said that being closed Sunday made Monday that much busier.

Earlier this month, restaurant industry trade publication QSR Magazine named Chick-fil-A the highest-grossing franchise in the United States, estimating that each store pulled in an average of $4.4 million in annual revenue, $1.7 million more than the average of the next-highest-grossing chain (Whataburger, $2.7 million).

Zaxby's recently signed a five-year deal to be the official chicken of the Falcons, but fans can't get that, either. Its products are not currently offered at the stadium.

So much free advertising for this.

It's not like the gay hating chicken joint needs it. It's delicious.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

_________________

The most overrated regional fast food restaurant this side of Skyline Chili.

_________________

How regional is it thought? Has expanded quit a bit over the years. I've had it a couple times and it's really just a chicken sandwich. Nothing special.

Good God, yes.

_________________
Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

What fast food chicken sandwich is better?

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Good point. It's not regional anymore. Although I still think of it as a southern place even though they have been in PA longer than I have.

_________________

Zaxby's
Wendy's
Arby's
Sheetz
Wawa

_________________

I'd take most of Wendy's chicken sandwiches over what they do there. It's just a bland, plain jane chicken sandwich.

Wawa is starting to colonize South Florida. Next time I'm down I'm gonna try one of these famous gas station sandwiches and report back.

_________________

My go to:
Chicken Philly with bacon and either buffalo sauce or spicy brown mustard, Lettuce, jalepenos, salt & pepper.
A big PA debate is which is better: Sheetz or Wawa. I'm a Sheetz fan but that Wawa sandwich is really good. They also do a Turkey and gravy sandwich in November that is really good too.

_________________

Arby's? I like Wendy's but it's pretty average. I've never had the others.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Have you had Arby's chicken sandwich? It is shockingly good.
I should have clarified with Wendy's, I'm talking about the hot and spicy sandwich.

_________________

Fuckin-A

_________________

To add, Sonic's Ultimate Chicken sandwich is shockingly good.

Sheetz? Really? Haven't tried, but will add it to the list.

_________________
Not a mult.

Try the red velvet donut while you're at it.

_________________
Not a mult.

BTW, re: the OP - Besides the Falcons, wouldn't CFA have known before entering an agreement that most of the games are on Sundays?

Idiots.

_________________
Not a mult.

This is overblown, in addition to the Falcons they also host the soccer team and other concerts NOT on Sundays.

Rick is right . No other fast food chicken sandwich comes close

Wendy's spicy is not bad, probably #2 but a distant #2

That's my #2 also.

I'd say the only reason it is overrated is because people literally camp out for it when it first shows up in a town. I'll still take it over any other chicken sandwich.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Really? The spicy chicken is great at Wendy's

_________________
Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

College football, too.

_________________

I wouldn't call it great. I think most fast food chicken sandwiches are bad though so I'll take Wendy's over most of the rest.

If Wendy's went out of business tomorrow and I could never get one again I don't think I'd be too upset.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

_________________

Wendy's spicy chicken used to be better. It took a slight turn for the worse about 10 months ago. I can't put my finger on it, but it's just not quite right. Plus they raised the price yet again and now it's over $5 after tax.

_________________
"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

i feel like it's smaller than it used to be

Wendy's needs to put on their game face and step the fuck up!

_________________

Wendy's Spicy

_________________
When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

They are no that bad

_________________
When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"