"Chick-fil-A has no branches in China. But the brand has enticed Chinese students in the U.S. for a simple reason: 'Chick-fil-A' sounds like 'check files.' In a culture that puts great stock in soundalike words and numbers, it is believed to bring good luck to those with complicated visa applications."
"'It feels like I am one step closer to the green card after having a Chick-fil-A meal,' says Zhou Yilu, an AI software engineer in his late 30s who lives in Wilmington, Delaware."
"Some 3D-print the Chick-fil-A logo on coasters. Some embroider the logo into a small cross-stitch pendant for key chains. Others set Chick-fil-A's logo as their profile picture on social media, sometimes converting it from red to green - as in green card."
Chick-fil-A has become a symbol of hope for Chinese students in the U.S. seeking visas, as its name sounds like 'check files.' This belief stems from cultural significance placed on soundalike words. Many students, like Zhou Yilu, associate eating at Chick-fil-A with improving their chances of obtaining a green card. The phenomenon includes creative expressions, such as 3D-printed logos and social media profile pictures altered to reflect the green card theme. The connection between the brand and visa success has persisted within the community for years.
Read at Fortune
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