The family of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy confirmed his death Monday morning. He was 93. Cathy's fast-food chicken empire, with 1,800 stores in 39 states and in D.C., topped $5 billion in sales in 2013. With an estimated wealth of $6.3 billion, Cathy was one of the richest men in the U.S. His son, Dan Cathy, currently serves as president of the company, which has drawn ire for its vocal opposition to gay rights.

Cathy, who opened his first diner in Atlanta in 1946 and founded Chick-fil-A by 1967, is credited with inventing the boneless chicken sandwich, the Associated Press reports. The chicken chain has famously operated only six days a week and is closed on Sundays, pursuant to Cathy's Baptist beliefs. (He was a longtime Sunday school teacher.) Even still, the Wall Street Journal reports, Chick-fil-A has posted sale increases for 47 straight years.

Per Forbes, Cathy and his wife of 65 years, Jeanette, had three children and 18 grandchildren—many of whom now own Chick-fil-A stores.

[Image via AP]