Chick-fil-A
“Bright futures is the concept that we think people have crazy potential in life. And we get to play a role in impacting their trajectory personally and professionally.”
Chick-fil-A may be best known for its chicken sandwiches and hospitality punctuated by “My pleasure,” but the foundation beneath the company serves as an intentional platform for leadership development. Daniel Andrews, a Chick-fil-A owner-operator in Denver, shared how his journey and the company’s culture intersect to create what he calls a “leadership factory.”
Daniel got his first job at Chick-fil-A at age 14. “My brother got a job at Chick-fil-A when I was a teenager, and I was a frequent guest as a kid. I wanted to follow in his footsteps and wanted to get a job to buy a car.” Daniel admits with a grin, “I should have been fired. I was a bad employee. But I continued to work at Chick-fil-A through high school and college.”
Daniel’s experience wasn’t just about learning customer service; he learned leadership from Rob Rogers, a Chick-fil-A operator in North Carolina who combined business savvy with employee development and community care. “More than a paycheck, working for Chick-fil-A was an apprenticeship from a leader who really cared about me. Seeing the way he led in the community and lead the business was special.”
The early formative work experience inspired Andrews’ own vocational mission, which he leads through his two Denver-area Chick-fil-A restaurants. He opened the first location in 2018 and then took on a second in 2021. Daniel’s clarity is luminous. “My mission is to build bright futures for others.” He continues with incredibly well-worded wisdom. “Our work is bright futures for our team and heartfelt hospitality for our guests.” His presentation is compelling. “Bright futures is the concept that we think people have crazy potential in life. And we get to play a role in impacting their trajectory personally and professionally.”
Daniel leads a 2.5-year initiative that recruits early-career professionals and invests deeply in their development. “I have nine people in that program right now.” The results of his investment are tangible. Alumni have gone on to lead their own Chick-fil-A franchises, become certified leadership coaches, and serve in leadership roles in community organizations like the Denver Rescue Mission. “What gets me most excited in my career is to invest, and then see the impact on another’s trajectory.” “Two weeks ago I flew to Atlanta and saw Jesse—who worked with me from 2018 to 2021—ring the bell, as he was selected to own a Chick-fil-A franchise. Part of his success was because of the experience we provided him here to grow and develop.”
Beyond his restaurants, Daniel points to a culture of leadership capacity and generosity across the Chick-fil-A brand. The company is now led by Andrew Cathy, a third-generation CEO, following Dan Cathy and founder Truett Cathy. “The Cathy family is really generous and brings 10,000 of us, every Chick-fil-A operator and their spouse, and every corporate staff and their spouse to a conference each year. They create a culture of really strong investment in leadership capacity and leadership skills.” Leadership development is at the core of the company—consistently reflecting on: “How do you lead yourself? How do you lead others? How do you lead your organization? How do you lead in the community?”
“Our shared vision is to be the world's most caring company,” Daniel shares with pride. Chick-fil-A has given over $27 million since 2015 to local nonprofits through a collective grant program where operators nominate recipients. Recently a $75,000 grant was awarded to a nonprofit in southwest Denver that supports people recovering from addiction. Since 1973, Chick-fil-A has donated more than $215 million in scholarships to team members for college education. Five team members from the locations Daniel leads received college scholarships last year.
Under Daniel’s leadership, Chick-fil-A provides a place to work, learn, and grow. “Being a restaurant, we are uniquely poised to teach people that they can do hard things. You have the capacity to become resilient,” he says with conviction and compassion. “You will carry that into future relationships and into the hard things in life and realize that you have the grit to do it.” This is a place helping to form people with bright futures. “I'm passionate about formation,” Daniel concludes—and it is clear. A Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich is great. But even greater is a company and a leader committed to caring for people and place. Chick-fil-A is a sacred place.
Thank you to Daniel Andrews for sharing his story, operating a business that builds bright futures for others, and his contribution to this article.