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From humble beginnings in Alabama to becoming a Los Angeles
Owner-Operator
May 30, 2024
Stanley Webster perseveres through early challenges, develops heart for service
Los Angeles-area Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator Stanley Webster knows the importance of investing in his Team Members – in part because of an Alabama Chick-fil-A Operator investing in him.
Stanley came from humble beginnings, growing up in Madison, Alabama. He was raised by a single mother, Belynda, who worked three minimum-wage jobs to make ends meet. Stanley’s father was in and out of jail during childhood and unfortunately, substance abuse issues ultimately led to the separation of their family.
When he became a teenager, Stanley’s mother spoke with him about getting a job to help with financial obligations – informing him the family risked losing their house. Within two weeks, he started a job at Chick-fil-A Madison with local Operator Norman Dull.
“Norman saw something in me as a 15-year-old that I didn’t even see in myself,” Stanley said.
Heart for service leads Stanley to want more
Stanley had not been to a Chick-fil-A restaurant prior to his hire. As a new Team Member, Stanley completed tasks like refreshing beverages, speaking with guests, taking out the trash and cleaning bathrooms.
Within his first six months, Stanley moved up to the cashier position and realized his heart for service and desire to make guests smile during their visits. By his second year, Stanley became a team leader who wanted to learn more about the business.
“One thing that stood out to me was how hands on Norman was as a leader,” Stanley said. “He was the owner of the business, and the fact that he worked alongside the team made me appreciate him more.”
When Stanley was a senior in high school, he’d been promoted again and was a back-of-house leader. While things were great at work, they were more challenging at home. His family lost their house in foreclosure, prompting them to move to an apartment.
In another setback, a 2011 tornado destroyed the apartment they were living in and everything in it. Norman and his wife, Danielle, offered Stanley and his family a temporary place to stay.
“Norman took me under his wing inside and outside of the restaurant,” Stanley shared. “He saw my potential and I have so much respect for him; he completely changed the trajectory of my life.”
Creating a path to positively impact others
Stanley decided he wanted to make Chick-fil-A a career. In 2012 he moved to Los Angeles attracted to the area’s rich diversity, innovation and creativity. Not long after that he joined Chick-fil-A, Inc.’s Leadership Development Program.
Over the next two years, he opened new Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country and served as Interim Manager at various locations. At 26, Stanley was selected as the new franchised Owner-Operator of a Chick-fil-A restaurant in downtown Philadelphia. From the start, he focused on investing in his team, believing that their growth would lead to the restaurant’s success.
“Day by day, I sought to understand the members of my team by immersing myself in their lives: the exciting, the mundane, and the heartbreaking pieces, too,” Stanley said.
While in Philadelphia, Stanley partnered with organizations like Covenant House, raising funds to house homeless youth, and served as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. During his time in Philadelphia, Stanley awarded over 20 Chick-fil-A leadership scholarships and dedicated himself to supporting and mentoring his team, just as his first Operator had done for him years ago.
Prioritizing care and culture in Los Angeles
In 2020 Stanley moved back to Los Angeles to open Cienega Triangle Chick-fil-A. He has been the independent Owner-Operator there since.
He continues to prioritize care and culture. To compliment his real-life experiences, Stanley has prioritized formal education as a means to give him all the tools possible to positively impact the lives of others. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree at the University of Southern California studying Organizational Change and Leadership. He hopes to use this experience to help him continue to foster inclusive environments where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive.
“A defining characteristic of my life is not allowing circumstances or stereotypes to define me. As a black gay man, I understand what it’s like to be part of a marginalized community. But I also understand the value that comes when someone believes in you, supports you and gives you a chance. Anything is possible when you believe in yourself and others,” Stanley said.
Stanley continues to ‘pay it forward.’ He became the first Los Angeles Chick-fil-A Operator to partner with After School All-Stars Quest Program, a comprehensive college and workforce readiness initiative that challenges junior and senior high school students to gain skills critical to employability. He also supports the LadyLike Foundation, a faith-based non-profit organization whose purpose is to educate, empower and inspire young women living in underprivileged communities. Stanley also is a part of Chick-fil-A’s Shared Table program, which donates prepared but unserved food to local food banks and soup kitchens.
He also partners with local schools to offer mentoring, coaching, financial literacy, resume building and interview skills.
Stanley doesn’t forget where he came from, or those who helped him get to where he is today. He seeks to be a mentor and guide others in the way Norman did for him.
Stanley Webster perseveres through early challenges, develops heart for service
Los Angeles-area Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator Stanley Webster knows the importance of investing in his Team Members – in part because of an Alabama Chick-fil-A Operator investing in him.
Stanley came from humble beginnings, growing up in Madison, Alabama. He was raised by a single mother, Belynda, who worked three minimum-wage jobs to make ends meet. Stanley’s father was in and out of jail during childhood and unfortunately, substance abuse issues ultimately led to the separation of their family.
When he became a teenager, Stanley’s mother spoke with him about getting a job to help with financial obligations – informing him the family risked losing their house. Within two weeks, he started a job at Chick-fil-A Madison with local Operator Norman Dull.
“Norman saw something in me as a 15-year-old that I didn’t even see in myself,” Stanley said.
Heart for service leads Stanley to want more
Stanley had not been to a Chick-fil-A restaurant prior to his hire. As a new Team Member, Stanley completed tasks like refreshing beverages, speaking with guests, taking out the trash and cleaning bathrooms.
Within his first six months, Stanley moved up to the cashier position and realized his heart for service and desire to make guests smile during their visits. By his second year, Stanley became a team leader who wanted to learn more about the business.
“One thing that stood out to me was how hands on Norman was as a leader,” Stanley said. “He was the owner of the business, and the fact that he worked alongside the team made me appreciate him more.”
When Stanley was a senior in high school, he’d been promoted again and was a back-of-house leader. While things were great at work, they were more challenging at home. His family lost their house in foreclosure, prompting them to move to an apartment.
In another setback, a 2011 tornado destroyed the apartment they were living in and everything in it. Norman and his wife, Danielle, offered Stanley and his family a temporary place to stay.
“Norman took me under his wing inside and outside of the restaurant,” Stanley shared. “He saw my potential and I have so much respect for him; he completely changed the trajectory of my life.”
Creating a path to positively impact others
Stanley decided he wanted to make Chick-fil-A a career. In 2012 he moved to Los Angeles attracted to the area’s rich diversity, innovation and creativity. Not long after that he joined Chick-fil-A, Inc.’s Leadership Development Program.
Over the next two years, he opened new Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country and served as Interim Manager at various locations. At 26, Stanley was selected as the new franchised Owner-Operator of a Chick-fil-A restaurant in downtown Philadelphia. From the start, he focused on investing in his team, believing that their growth would lead to the restaurant’s success.
“Day by day, I sought to understand the members of my team by immersing myself in their lives: the exciting, the mundane, and the heartbreaking pieces, too,” Stanley said.
While in Philadelphia, Stanley partnered with organizations like Covenant House, raising funds to house homeless youth, and served as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. During his time in Philadelphia, Stanley awarded over 20 Chick-fil-A leadership scholarships and dedicated himself to supporting and mentoring his team, just as his first Operator had done for him years ago.
Prioritizing care and culture in Los Angeles
In 2020 Stanley moved back to Los Angeles to open Cienega Triangle Chick-fil-A. He has been the independent Owner-Operator there since.
He continues to prioritize care and culture. To compliment his real-life experiences, Stanley has prioritized formal education as a means to give him all the tools possible to positively impact the lives of others. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree at the University of Southern California studying Organizational Change and Leadership. He hopes to use this experience to help him continue to foster inclusive environments where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive.
“A defining characteristic of my life is not allowing circumstances or stereotypes to define me. As a black gay man, I understand what it’s like to be part of a marginalized community. But I also understand the value that comes when someone believes in you, supports you and gives you a chance. Anything is possible when you believe in yourself and others,” Stanley said.
Stanley continues to ‘pay it forward.’ He became the first Los Angeles Chick-fil-A Operator to partner with After School All-Stars Quest Program, a comprehensive college and workforce readiness initiative that challenges junior and senior high school students to gain skills critical to employability. He also supports the LadyLike Foundation, a faith-based non-profit organization whose purpose is to educate, empower and inspire young women living in underprivileged communities. Stanley also is a part of Chick-fil-A’s Shared Table program, which donates prepared but unserved food to local food banks and soup kitchens.
He also partners with local schools to offer mentoring, coaching, financial literacy, resume building and interview skills.
Stanley doesn’t forget where he came from, or those who helped him get to where he is today. He seeks to be a mentor and guide others in the way Norman did for him.
