Overcoming Weaknesses and Threats to Succeed in a Competitive Market
Company Analysis of Chick-Fil-A

Each business has strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that contribute to the overall performance it achieves in a market. All companies vary in these four categories to create individual competitive advantages associated with its success and all companies strive for this competitive advantage. A competitive advantage occurs when an organization acquires or develops an attribute or combination of attributes that allows it to outperform its competitors. Chick-Fil-A is an excellent example of a business that uses a SWOT analysis (see Appendix A) to exhibit its strengths and opportunities, as well as overcome its weaknesses and threats to allow them an attainable competitive advantage in their industry. As with any organization, Chick-Fil-A faces threats in their industry; these range from the standard threats of Porter’s Five Forces Model (see Appendix B), to specific issues such as the negative publicity gained from the company’s stance on LGBT rights. Threats from one aspect, may also play a role as a strength for some companies. For example, Chick-Fil-A’s political stance on LGBT caused a wave of protests and a loss in a particular customer base, but it also showcased the strong company core values, which in turn skyrocketed the support of the Christian customer base. Dan Cathy, CEO, admits that ultimately it was an unwise business decision that alienated market segments, but still stands by his views. “I know others feel very different from that and I respect their opinion and I hope that they would be respectful of mine,” he states on the issue. Along with the strength of strong core values come weaknesses that stem from it. Chick-Fil-A tends to ask some rather intrusive questions while interviewing potential operators and employees, as well