Dan Cathy Net Worth: How Rich Is The Chick-Fil-A CEO?

Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy has a net worth of $7.1 billion. Here’s how he built his massive fortune.

Cathy is the son of S. Truett Cathy, who founded Chick-fil-A in 1967 and opened the first restaurant in Atlanta. Today, Chick-fil-A is one of the most successful fast-food chains in the U.S., with at least 2,300 branches nationwide. Its success is not only because of food but also due to its superb customer service.

Cathy took over the company after his father died in 2014. His brother, Bubba Cathy, is now the executive vice president of Chick-fil-A.

In 2018, the restaurant empire generated $10 billion in total sales, Forbes reported. This has made the Cathys one of the richest families in the U.S. The two brothers had an estimated combined net worth of $11 billion by 2019.

Now, Chick-fil-A is known for its chicken sandwich, which sparked an online debate last year. Fans of Popeyes and Chick-fil-A engaged in a heated online discussion over which restaurant offers a better chicken sandwich.

In August 2019, Popeyes introduced a chicken sandwich in its menu, while Chick-fil-A is a self-proclaimed creator of chicken sandwiches served fast, according to Business Insider. The new item from Popeyes was such a success that production had to be halted due to a shortage of supplies. But Chick-fil-A has a long history of making chicken sandwiches, led by its CEO.

Cathy is usually busy visiting different branches across the U.S. and attending store openings. Unknown to many, the CEO can play the trumpet. The Jonesboro, Georgia native is also into motorcycles, yachts and small jets. A former competitive wrestler, the 67-year-old has dedicated his time to helping ministries and organizations through his philanthropic activities, per Business Insider.

Despite Chick-fil-A's massive sales, the Cathy family closes the restaurant every Sunday to honor the Lord’s day. The one-day shutdown results in a $1 billion loss in revenue for Chick-fil-A, but this has continued since the restaurant first opened.

Cathy even followed in his father’s footsteps and conducted Bible study every Sunday. However, the strong Christian beliefs of the family created some controversies regarding same-sex marriage. The CEO clarified that the family is sticking to the family definition of the Bible but still welcomes everyone to its stores.

One thing critics cannot throw shade at is Chick-fil-A's penchant to help others in need. In 2018, almost $15 million went to scholarships of team members. It covers employees’ emergency situations and education pursuits.