They are challenging Amazon and Netflix.
Chick-fil-A, renowned for its signature chicken sandwich and for remaining closed on Sundays, is poised to enter the competitive video streaming industry this year, joining established players such as Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu.
Deadline reports that Chick-fil-A is collaborating with several major production firms to develop family-oriented programming, with a particular focus on unscripted content. The company is also pursuing opportunities to license and acquire existing content.
While Chick-fil-A has not yet commented publicly on its streaming ambitions, Deadline indicates that the company has invested in a family-friendly game show produced by Glassman Media, the same company behind NBC’s “The Wall.” Chick-fil-A has reportedly commissioned ten episodes of this new game show. Although the company is widely recognized for its fast-food outlets, which number over 3,000 across the U.S., it has previously ventured into content creation with a series of short animated films titled “Stories of Evergreen Hills” in 2021.
Additionally, Chick-fil-A’s independently managed trust was instrumental in the creation of Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Forbes revealed that Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy invested significantly in transforming 730 acres of farmland near Atlanta into one of North America’s largest movie studios, second only to those in Burbank, California.
Streaming data from Forbes indicates that Americans average just over three hours per day on streaming services, with 99% of U.S. households subscribing to at least one service. Netflix remains the leader in the market with approximately 260.28 million subscribers.
The decision by Chick-fil-A to enter the streaming arena has sparked some surprise, including from Giovanni Bertone “John” Campea, a Canadian YouTuber and film critic. In a YouTube reaction video, Campea initially found the idea surprising but acknowledged its potential.
“At first, it seems odd for a fast-food chain to dive into streaming. However, Chick-fil-A has engaged in some entertainment ventures before,” Campea noted. He pointed out that while the streaming market is currently saturated, with some services shutting down and others merging, Chick-fil-A’s focus on family-friendly content might carve out a successful niche.
Campea suggested that the key to success for Chick-fil-A’s streaming service could lie in addressing an unmet need. “If they can establish a streaming platform dedicated entirely to family-friendly content, they might find a unique market segment,” he said. He also speculated about the possibility of the service serving as a marketing tool for the restaurant, potentially offering incentives like free chicken sandwiches with subscriptions.