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A heartfelt tribute to our founder on his 103rd birthday
March 14, 2024
Truett Cathy’s legacy lives on with lessons from his H.E.A.R.T.
Chick-fil-A's founder, Truett Cathy, was known for his heart. He was much more than an entrepreneur with a great idea that he parlayed into a world-famous brand. His legendary life of service spanned across generations and geographies. As we celebrate what would be his 103rd birthday on March 14, we commemorate his spirit that lives on through thousands of Chick-fil-A Team Members and the customers they serve.
When we reflect on all the wisdom Truett poured into Chick-fil-A and its people, the word “heart” serves as a useful acronym to delve deeper into the stories that shaped his winning approach to life.
H is for humility and humor
From helping his mother in the kitchen of the boarding house she ran to running paper routes alongside his brother to contribute to the family income, Truett demonstrated a service-first mentality at a young age. His humility also came from a deep belief in treating others better than they might treat themselves. When he delivered newspapers, he treated every customer as if they were the governor, delivering each newspaper in a way that was tailored to each recipient.
Humor was also a defining part of his character, reflected through playful moments like celebrating business milestones by dancing with a hula hoop or handing out plush cows to children. He loved practical jokes, whether he was the instigator or the target. He often said, ”If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.”
Truett Cathy’s legacy lives on with lessons from his H.E.A.R.T.
Chick-fil-A's founder, Truett Cathy, was known for his heart. He was much more than an entrepreneur with a great idea that he parlayed into a world-famous brand. His legendary life of service spanned across generations and geographies. As we celebrate what would be his 103rd birthday on March 14, we commemorate his spirit that lives on through thousands of Chick-fil-A Team Members and the customers they serve.
When we reflect on all the wisdom Truett poured into Chick-fil-A and its people, the word “heart” serves as a useful acronym to delve deeper into the stories that shaped his winning approach to life.
H is for humility and humor
From helping his mother in the kitchen of the boarding house she ran to running paper routes alongside his brother to contribute to the family income, Truett demonstrated a service-first mentality at a young age. His humility also came from a deep belief in treating others better than they might treat themselves. When he delivered newspapers, he treated every customer as if they were the governor, delivering each newspaper in a way that was tailored to each recipient.
Humor was also a defining part of his character, reflected through playful moments like celebrating business milestones by dancing with a hula hoop or handing out plush cows to children. He loved practical jokes, whether he was the instigator or the target. He often said, ”If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.”
E is for empathy and encouragement
Truett had a soft spot for developing young people throughout his life. He took countless Chick-fil-A Team Members under his wing, paving the way for them to build successful careers. He sponsored college tuitions, which inspired the Remarkable Futures™ Scholarships Chick-fil-A awards today.
He kept a storage area at Chick-fil-A headquarters that was filled with clothing and toys for underprivileged children. In 1987, he established WinShape Homes®, nine residential communities for foster children. Whenever he encountered someone with a specific need he jotted it down on a scrap of paper and would delight in satisfying that need when they least expected it.
Truett often asked a rhetorical question: “How do you know someone needs encouragement?” The answer was always, “If they’re breathing.”
A is for authenticity and ambition
Truett treated every person he encountered the exact same: with authentic respect and compassion. From a stranger he interacted with on the street to influential business partners, he gave every person the same acknowledgment and feeling of importance. He was also authentically faithful to his wife, Jeannette, whom he was married to for over 60 years, and believed that family should always come first. One reason that Chick-fil-A is still closed on Sundays is to devote time to family and the community, a commitment Truett upheld by teaching Sunday School for 50 years to middle schoolers, despite being a busy CEO.
Truett had an appreciation for simple things, but that didn’t stop him from dreaming big. When he experienced success with his first restaurant, he took a risk and opened a second. In 1967, he saw an opportunity inside retail malls, becoming the first restaurant to cater onsite to busy shoppers. It would thrill him to know that the seeds of his hard work and ambition are now sprouting growth in Canada and Puerto Rico, too.
E is for empathy and encouragement
Truett had a soft spot for developing young people throughout his life. He took countless Chick-fil-A Team Members under his wing, paving the way for them to build successful careers. He sponsored college tuitions, which inspired the Remarkable Futures™ Scholarships Chick-fil-A awards today.
He kept a storage area at Chick-fil-A headquarters that was filled with clothing and toys for underprivileged children. In 1987, he established WinShape Homes®, nine residential communities for foster children. Whenever he encountered someone with a specific need he jotted it down on a scrap of paper and would delight in satisfying that need when they least expected it.
Truett often asked a rhetorical question: “How do you know someone needs encouragement?” The answer was always, “If they’re breathing.”
A is for authenticity and ambition
Truett treated every person he encountered the exact same: with authentic respect and compassion. From a stranger he interacted with on the street to influential business partners, he gave every person the same acknowledgment and feeling of importance. He was also authentically faithful to his wife, Jeannette, whom he was married to for over 60 years, and believed that family should always come first. One reason that Chick-fil-A is still closed on Sundays is to devote time to family and the community, a commitment Truett upheld by teaching Sunday School for 50 years to middle schoolers, despite being a busy CEO.
Truett had an appreciation for simple things, but that didn’t stop him from dreaming big. When he experienced success with his first restaurant, he took a risk and opened a second. In 1967, he saw an opportunity inside retail malls, becoming the first restaurant to cater onsite to busy shoppers. It would thrill him to know that the seeds of his hard work and ambition are now sprouting growth in Canada and Puerto Rico, too.
R is for responsibility and relationships
Truett’s commitment to responsibility extended beyond the success of his business. He prioritized the well-being of his Team Members, family and community. His passion for mentoring young people and providing for others is still evident in Chick-fil-A's culture today.
Truett’s discipline for making good on his commitments naturally led to lasting relationships. He was admired and beloved throughout his company and in all the communities he served. After all, he wasn’t just in the chicken business, but in the people business.
R is for responsibility and relationships
Truett’s commitment to responsibility extended beyond the success of his business. He prioritized the well-being of his Team Members, family and community. His passion for mentoring young people and providing for others is still evident in Chick-fil-A's culture today.
Truett’s discipline for making good on his commitments naturally led to lasting relationships. He was admired and beloved throughout his company and in all the communities he served. After all, he wasn’t just in the chicken business, but in the people business.
T is for truth and tenacity
You probably know by now that truth was important to Truett. He was true to his own beliefs and true to the people he served, whether they were friends, customers or strangers. He was a firm believer that success and honesty were not mutually exclusive. He insisted on honest, yet respectful, feedback.
He also knew that most often success was the result of hard work and tenacity. He learned this early on selling Coca-Cola bottles door-to-door as a child and later working 12-hour days establishing his first diner. He learned it again when his second restaurant burned down, and he had to grill food in the parking lot to keep the business going. He persevered through good times and bad.
Over 3,000 Chick-fil-A restaurant locations pay tribute every day (except for Sundays) to Truett and his heart. So, next time you sip a Frosted Lemonade or savor a Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, we hope you’ll reflect on the way Truett served – a legacy worth toasting!
T is for truth and tenacity
You probably know by now that truth was important to Truett. He was true to his own beliefs and true to the people he served, whether they were friends, customers or strangers. He was a firm believer that success and honesty were not mutually exclusive. He insisted on honest, yet respectful, feedback.
He also knew that most often success was the result of hard work and tenacity. He learned this early on selling Coca-Cola bottles door-to-door as a child and later working 12-hour days establishing his first diner. He learned it again when his second restaurant burned down, and he had to grill food in the parking lot to keep the business going. He persevered through good times and bad.
Over 3,000 Chick-fil-A restaurant locations pay tribute every day (except for Sundays) to Truett and his heart. So, next time you sip a Frosted Lemonade or savor a Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, we hope you’ll reflect on the way Truett served – a legacy worth toasting!
