ATLANTA — Chick-Fil-A founder Truett Cathy turns 90 on Monday.
In the 65 years since opening his first Dwarf House in Hapeville, Ga., he has seen his Chick-Fil-A empire grow to 1,500 stores in 39 states and Washington, D.C.
2010 sales were more than $3.5 billion.
Cathy's son Dan is now president and chief operating officer.
He told Channel 2's Jim Strickland the restaurants have evolved to the point where service is as important as flavor.
"They love the ambiance of warmth and hospitality and graciousness, and we've just been able to clone that throughout these restaurants," said Cathy.
About 30,000 new employees, mostly part timers, will have to embrace that culture of courtesy.
Chick-Fil-A opened 80 new stores in 2010. This year it plans 90 more.
Strickland spoke to Ed Nichols, a regular for 27 years at the Hapeville Dwarf House.
"It's just a good place to come eat is all I can describe it as. I look forward to getting up and coming for my coffee and sausage and biscuit," said Nichols, a retired school custodian.
"You're always busy, you're always doing something. There's never a dull moment," said Melinda Peeples, an employee for 22 years.
Sales this year are expected to approach $4 billion.
Strickland asked Dan Cathy about prices.
"We would rather look for opportunities to manage our costs than to raise prices," he said.
The Dwarf House is holding the line, despite a spike in lettuce costs from poor weather in California.
Dan Cathy says a business based on family values still has to evolve.
They expect to spend $90 million to renovate stores.
Two things won't change though: being closed on Sunday and shunning requests for a public stock offering.
"I like to tell people that our food tastes better on Monday, 'cause we're closed on Sunday," said Dan Cathy.