Chick-fil-A has always been a family-owned, privately held company known for serving delicious chicken meals with a heartwarming side dish of hospitality.

As leadership responsibilities of one of the nation’s largest fast-food chains passed from father to son, Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy promised his father that the company’s founding values would remain the same.

It will likely become the nation's third-largest fast-food chain next year, but don't expect Chick-fil-A to be open on Sundays anytime soon: CEO says he promised his dad he'd uphold Christian values and stay closed on Sundays. https://t.co/uLLbNBAIAH

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Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy raised his children Dan, Bubba, and Trudy in the family business. Dan and Bubba were scraping the gum off of the underside of tables at restaurants long before both sons would become Chick-fil-A executives.

This dinner, however, had a special purpose. Dan, Trudy, and Bubba had invited Truett and their mother, Jeannette, to present them with a covenant regarding the future of the fried chicken chain, according to Truett Cathy’s book “Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People.”

“We will be faithful to Christ’s lordship in our lives,” the covenant began. “As committed Christians we will live a life of selfless devotion to His calling in our lives.”

“We will prayerfully seek His leadership in all major decisions that impact our family and others. Our family roles as spouses to our lifelong mates, parents to our children, and loving aunts and uncles will be our priority.”

The covenant went on to promise to continue to carry on Chick-fil-A’s history of philanthropic work, to never open on Sunday, and to grow conservatively, never taking the company public.

Since 2000, Chick-fil-A has undergone explosive growth.