America’s favorite quick-service chicken restaurant is officially expanding into family-friendly entertainment.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A has announced plans to launch the “Play” app – a software program that will host and feature animated shows, podcasts, games, e-books and even kid-friendly recipes. The content is geared for families with children under the age of 12.
“We’ve been paying attention to some research and conversations we’ve had with families that are our customers, and insights bubbled up that content and games are both adjacent to mealtime,” Dustin Britt, Chick-fil-A’s executive director of brand strategy, entertainment and media told CNBC.
“Our belief is, as we add value to their experience, then we’re giving them a reason to want to enjoy more Chick-fil-A with us,” he added.
The Daily Citizen has previously reported on the restaurant’s annual “Evergreen Hills” Christmas animated videos. The heartwarming stories entertain but also convey a moral and values-based message.
Last year’s episode centered on the power of compassion. The previous year’s offering revolved around the fleeting nature of time.
With Chick-fil-A’s Play app, followers will have access to new weekly episodes of “Evergreen Hills” through the end of the year. Two new child-friendly podcasts, Hidden Island and Ice Lions, will also be forthcoming this year and next.
It shouldn’t surprise us that a beloved company known for satiating the physical appetites of its customers has dialed in on those same family’s desire for fun, wholesome, and values-charged entertainment offerings for their children.
McDonald’s credits Yolanda Fernandez Cofino in Guatemala with inspiring the creation of its famous “Happy Meal.” It was the mid 1970s when the franchisee came up with the idea of customizing a smaller meal for children. The corporate office seized on the concept. The first official “Happy Meals” were sold in Kansas City in 1977.
Earlier this month, Susannah Frost became only the 6th president in Chick-fil-A history, effective October. She succeeded Andrew Cathy, who will retain his role as chief executive officer.
Currently in charge of managing the popular restaurant’s 3,000 sites and leading field operations, . Frost graduated with a math degree from the University of Georgia. Susannah went on to pursue and receive a law degree from Emory University, becoming a real estate attorney in Atlanta before joining Chick-fil-A 17 years ago.
In her free time, she pours herself into her family, and is a member of the Executive Committee of Junior Achievement of Georgia.
It was the late Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy who once said, “The people are more important than the food. People want to work with a person, not for a company.”
Whether child-friendly packaged food or a family-friendly app, companies that strive to meet the needs of moms and dads tend to thrive. In a culture that is growing increasingly secular and adult-centric, marketers would be wise to serve and appeal to the rising generation.
Christian customers, especially, are eager to spend their dollars with companies that not only treat them well – but also that stand up for their morals and values.
That a fast-food chain is expanding into the family entertainment space also demonstrates the dearth of good content that’s out there. Once trusted brands like Disney have long ago gone woke and lost their way. Moms and dads are regularly reaching out to us for help and guidance navigating the weak tea offerings before them.
Our Plugged In website is a thorough and trustworthy resource for parents. It provides timely reviews of movies, music, and video games. It also reviews some of the classic films you may have seen when you were single or childless but may have forgotten about their objectionable content you don’t want your own sons and daughters to navigate and process.
Focus on the Family has long pioneered the audio space for Christian content for children. Adventures in Odyssey recently recorded its 1000th episode – a milestone that reflects God’s kindness and the team’s Holy Spirit inspired creativity.
Incidentally, once upon a time, Chick-fil-A distributed Adventures in Odyssey cassette tapes (remember them?) with children’s meals. Many reported it was their favorite part of the lunch – and that’s saying something given the company’s great food.
Chick-fil-A’s “Play” app is scheduled to launch on November 18.
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