E-mail
Print
RSS
G-bookmarks
Live
TechnoratiThe closed-on-Sunday mantra will remain for decades to come, according to Dan. The three Cathy children, including sister, Trudy Cathy White, committed to keeping the traditions founded by their father alive through a spirit of unity contract signed by each of them five years ago.
Dan’s nearly life-long career at Chick-fil-A began at age nine when he sang songs for customers for the chain’s original Dwarf House restaurant. In his role as President and CEO, Dan has personally challenged himself with upholding Chick-fil-A’s efforts to provide genuine, heartfelt hospitality and ensuring that customers chain-wide have an exceptional dining experience. Rather than leading from his corporate office in Atlanta, Dan can often be found traveling the country, choosing to spend the majority of his time with restaurant Operators and committed team members. He often says about himself, “I work in customer service.”
Dan Cathy truly believes that working in the field provides a clearer understanding of the ever-evolving needs and wants from customers, and leading from the front line enables him to personally convey his servant spirit to the chain’s 50,000 employees. He also firmly believes that great leaders serve and often uses SERVE as an acronym to convey his point:
S See and shape the future
E Engage and develop others
R Reinvent continuously
V Value results and relationships
E Embody the values
Dan has participated in numerous grand-opening ceremonies for new Chick-fil-A restaurants, often camping out in restaurant parking lots along with hundreds of customers vying for a chance to win free Chick-fil-A for a year.
“This is the most fun I have ever had at Chick-fil-A,” noted Dan. “I like to have a lot of fun. I always look for different ways to do things, and the creative part keeps me energized.”
In his spare time, Dan has completed the owner/management course at Harvard Business School, earned his pilot’s license (and is, in fact, an instrument-rated commercial pilot), and has run in and completed numerous marathons across the country. Dan is also a passionate trumpet player and avid motorcyclist.
Somehow, through his many travels, personal training of franchise Operators, and spare time interests, he has found a way to have balance his life. He enjoys cooking and makes waffles every Sunday morning for the kids in his Sunday school class. Like his father, he is always at church to teach and play the trumpet during worship services.
“We have to examine within ourselves, where are we spending our time? With Warren Buffet or Solomon?” asked Dan.
He went on to say, “The Bible is filled with timeless truths and principles that will never change. It’s important to keep a blended diet rich in those Biblical principles. Be encouraged by God’s Word. We can learn from current events, but that’s not the final word.”
Dan also often speaks at various events throughout the country, educating business leaders and owners in the finer points of true success.
“There’s no such thing as a Christian business,” he said at a recent event in Indianapolis. “Christ didn’t die on the cross to save a business. He died on the cross to save you, and me.” Chick-fil-A believes in generously rewarding their team members for their dedicated, loyal work. One-hundred-seventy-four franchise Operators were awarded new cars as part of the chain’s Symbol of Success sales incentive program. And while Operators are rightfully rewarded, he believes hard working employees deserve even greater recognition. Continue »
