Chick-fil-A used to be an exclusively southern thing. Now they have them in 48 states.

The chain started in 1946 as the Dwarf Grill in suburban Atlanta.

Fifteen years in to his restaurant career, founder S. Truett Cathy made a discovery where he could now cook a chicken sandwich in the same time it took to cook a typical fast food hamburger. Much like fellow chicken man, the Colonel, he licensed his sandwich idea to other restaurants.

In the 1960s, the southern staple, Waffle House, even sold Chick-fil-A sandos under the licensing agreement. The new 8th Wonder of the World—the Houston Astrodome—sold the Chick-fil-A sandwich at its concession stands.

Soon enough, Cathy's restaurants made their way into mall food courts. Though, it wasn't until 1986 that Chick-fil-A had its first "freestanding" location.

Eleven years later, Cathy's restaurant chain became the sponsor for the Peach Bowl and has been the title sponsor ever since.

Amazing growth story.

I never had a Chick-fil-A until 2015 in Orlando, Florida. I sought it out for lunch one day and it was delicious. Had it again in Nashville the next year.

Now, as I said earlier, they're more ubiquitous—48 states and in even in far-flung outposts like Bend, Oregon.

Great stop on a road trip when you can get it.

Matter of fact, the Chick-fil-A is the best fast food chicken sandwich out there. A few years ago, I did a major survey of all the offerings in the market. Chick-fil-A stands alone.

Yet...

I don't go to Chick-fil-A very often any more. Three main reasons.

• I rarely eat lunch or breakfast. It's just something that has developed in my life over the last few years.

• Every location is almost always packed and I have to wait in line. Homey don't play that.

• Their rewards program stinks.

Now I have two less meals that I concern myself with per day. Percentages for a Chick-fil-A meal go down automatically.

I don't like lines. An unnecessary lunch with an unnecessary wait...I leave.

But, the rewards program?

They push their rewards program hard. They encourage you to pay with the app on your phone. I have enough remainder cash on there right now to buy a meal. But after years of buying sandwiches, I have enough rewards points for a free waffle fry or milkshake or something like that.

I love Chick-fil-A, but it is okay to say no to them.

(Compare that to Jersey Mike's ... which I will later this week.)

How do you resist the urge of the delicious chicken sandwiches?

First, it's not necessary. Indulge as you see fit. I encourage it.

But if you want to be more confident in your ability to say no, learn about Jim Camp, the feared negotiator who started all negotiations by getting to a "no."

He passed away in 2014, but his books and audio programs live on.

Find out more:

As always,

Brian