Situation
Chick-fil-A is poised to triple sales by 2030, yet the existing business model cannot support the volume and complexities associated with changing customer demands. The organization sought external viewpoints to develop solutions that adopt technology without sacrificing the human hospitality that defines the Chick-fil-A brand.
The challenge was substantial—how to modernize and scale service operations through disruptive innovation while preserving the culture of care and personal connection that differentiates Chick-fil-A in a crowded quick-service market. Solutions needed to span incremental improvements through transformational change across Front of House Automation, Outside Ordering, and Capacity/Velocity Optimization.
Our Solution
Thought Logic’s team of service process experts brought cross-functional expertise to successfully co-create tech-enabled service design solutions that support Chick-fil-A’s growth. Our team followed a robust innovation methodology to fully understand pain points from multiple perspectives and personas, then collaboratively co-created solutions through in-person immersive sessions, cross-continent digital brainstorming, and physical prototyping sessions in restaurant simulators.
Five personas were developed—consumer, staff, operator, headquarters staff, and partners—to secure comprehensive value chain input and buy-in across the organization. Additional roadshows, focus groups, and video spotlights were incorporated to discuss brand impacts with Executive Committee members, preview early prototypes with innovation champions across the chain, and gauge receptivity and comfort among select consumers nationwide.
Stakeholders
Our Clients
Our Solution Team
Achievements
The engagement delivered a comprehensive innovation program spanning research, prototyping, and organizational alignment—equipping Chick-fil-A with the data, tools, and stakeholder endorsement needed to confidently pursue transformational growth.
Workshop Facilitation and Ideation
Foodservice Robotics Evaluations
Organizational Alignment
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) had developed an aggressive transformation strategy to modernize their Commercial & Technology organization, aiming to streamline processes and enable end-to-end accountability for technology products that would drive enhanced value for guests, owners, and the enterprise.

