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Arkansas Native Opens Restaurant Near Town She Grew Up In
May 30, 2024
Operator pays mentorship forward:
‘I care about your future’
In November 2023, Katie Branch opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in a town less than 30 miles from where she grew up – Pine Bluff, Ark.
The outpouring of support she received from the community still brings her to tears.
“When they saw the restaurant was operated by a woman of color from Southeast Arkansas, they were very proud,” Katie said. “Not just the African American community, the whole community. ‘Chick-fil-A selected one of us’ was often the sentiment I’d receive. It’s been a bright spot that has given so much hope.”
A passion and desire to mentor
Katie is one of seven children. Her parents divorced when she was five, and because her mom worked multiple jobs, her older sister helped to raise her.
“I saw what hard looked like even before it was hard,” Katie said.
Eventually, she experienced what it was like to have a mentor and after graduating college, Katie began her career in the information technology industry. She had the opportunity to work with up-and-coming IT professionals by overseeing a program of interns and apprentices.
“Often, you’re passionate about something that either thrusts you forward or maybe was missing. A combination of both of those would be part of my calling to mentorship,” Katie said. “When I identified through other avenues – my school or job – it was extraordinarily impactful in helping me see myself and who I was.”
Conversations after diagnosis reignite entrepreneurial spirit
Seven years ago, Katie’s family received unexpected news. Her husband, Shay, 39 years old with no previous health issues, was diagnosed with early-stage leukemia.
As he went through treatment, the couple discussed life’s fragility and asked themselves what they really wanted to do. With Shay’s entrepreneurial spirit, the couple decided to start a small trucking business.
Part of the catalyst for Katie later applying to become a Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator was seeing her husband jump head-first into the trucking industry. As she began thinking about franchise opportunities, her desires were clear: she had to love the product wholeheartedly, wanted it to align with her own principles and values and give her an opportunity to mentor.
Katie was selected as a Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator nearly two and a half years after expressing interest. Her husband continues to own a trucking company.
Operator pays mentorship forward:
‘I care about your future’
In November 2023, Katie Branch opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in a town less than 30 miles from where she grew up – Pine Bluff, Ark.
The outpouring of support she received from the community still brings her to tears.
“When they saw the restaurant was operated by a woman of color from Southeast Arkansas, they were very proud,” Katie said. “Not just the African American community, the whole community. ‘Chick-fil-A selected one of us’ was often the sentiment I’d receive. It’s been a bright spot that has given so much hope.”
A passion and desire to mentor
Katie is one of seven children. Her parents divorced when she was five, and because her mom worked multiple jobs, her older sister helped to raise her.
“I saw what hard looked like even before it was hard,” Katie said.
Eventually, she experienced what it was like to have a mentor and after graduating college, Katie began her career in the information technology industry. She had the opportunity to work with up-and-coming IT professionals by overseeing a program of interns and apprentices.
“Often, you’re passionate about something that either thrusts you forward or maybe was missing. A combination of both of those would be part of my calling to mentorship,” Katie said. “When I identified through other avenues – my school or job – it was extraordinarily impactful in helping me see myself and who I was.”
Conversations after diagnosis reignite entrepreneurial spirit
Seven years ago, Katie’s family received unexpected news. Her husband, Shay, 39 years old with no previous health issues, was diagnosed with early-stage leukemia.
As he went through treatment, the couple discussed life’s fragility and asked themselves what they really wanted to do. With Shay’s entrepreneurial spirit, the couple decided to start a small trucking business.
Part of the catalyst for Katie later applying to become a Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator was seeing her husband jump head-first into the trucking industry. As she began thinking about franchise opportunities, her desires were clear: she had to love the product wholeheartedly, wanted it to align with her own principles and values and give her an opportunity to mentor.
Katie was selected as a Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator nearly two and a half years after expressing interest. Her husband continues to own a trucking company.
An environment of care
Katie pours into the 100 full- and part-time Team Members in her restaurant – focused on helping others see their own potential. This includes encouraging, advancing, and providing leadership development for young talent.
“I love you guys, I care about your future,” Katie says to her own Team Members, similar words she used to encourage interns through her 20-year IT career.
With a focus on not only her team, but also her community, Katie’s restaurant partners with CASA Women’s Shelter in Pine Bluff through Chick-fil-A Shared Table, a program for Owners-Operators to donate surplus food to charitable organizations in their community.
She has also taken on other roles in women’s mentorship programs, promoting the inclusion and recognition of women.
An environment of care
Katie pours into the 100 full- and part-time Team Members in her restaurant – focused on helping others see their own potential. This includes encouraging, advancing, and providing leadership development for young talent.
“I love you guys, I care about your future,” Katie says to her own Team Members, similar words she used to encourage interns through her 20-year IT career.
With a focus on not only her team, but also her community, Katie’s restaurant partners with CASA Women’s Shelter in Pine Bluff through Chick-fil-A Shared Table, a program for Owners-Operators to donate surplus food to charitable organizations in their community.
She has also taken on other roles in women’s mentorship programs, promoting the inclusion and recognition of women.
