Overview
Chick-fil-A (CFA) is one of America’s largest and most successful privately-owned chains of restaurants and comes in third in the nation for its quick service, with over 1,000 locations in thirty-four states, and in South Africa. The Atlanta- based Chick-fil-A is duly famed for its fried chicken sandwich masterpiece, and serves a wide range of nutritious foods in drive-through outlets, malls, and freestanding units. In 2009, their sales attained more than $3 billion. This success has been observed due to their main objective of being the best quick-service restaurant in America, and to gratify every customer. Chick-fil-A has adhered to the business values of focusing on quality, listening to the customer, and focusing on getting better before getting bigger, these rules have become imperative to meeting their main objective. The success at CFA also incorporates the outstanding leadership skills and values, which has been a significant factor over the years.
Chick-fil-A was founded in 1964 by Samuel Truett Cathy, a devout Southern Baptist. He however opened his first restaurant called the ‘’Dwarf Grill’’ in 1946, and he had a mixed clientele that shaped the racial and economic environment of the Hapeville area, where the Grill was located. The Grill restaurant was later renamed as the’’ Dwarf House’’. The first Chick-fil-A restaurant was therefore opened in 1967, from the inspiration of the Grill’s success, he opened it to influence and inspire both customers and employees. In running the company’s affairs Cathy was helped by Jim Collins who became the company’s president. Collins was well versed in food service and helped Cathy in designing the ‘’Dwarf House’’, in addition, Cathy was also drawn to Collins due to their belief in Christian living. The company’s independency saw Eric Kuchan operating the franchise in Christiansburg, Virginia. Due to Cathy’s Christian faith, the Chick-fil-A chain of restaurants practices a ‘’Closed-on-Sunday’’ policy, whereby the restaurants are closed on Sundays. This is in testament to Cathy’s faith in God and it also offers all his employees a time relax, catch up with family, and mainly to set aside time to worship God. In relation to this, the company’s corporate purpose has been signified by embracing the statutes of being a faithful steward by glorifying God will all that is assigned unto us, and having a positive impact on all in contact with Chick-fil-A. This policy has also been upheld until today by Dan Cathy, the son of Truett Cathy, who later on became the company’s CEO (Ratliffe, n.d.). This policy and attitude has influenced customers’ to warm up to the company. Cathy’s faith is visionary to the company’s leadership structure and culture, and have gone ahead to reward any employee who exemplifies such values.
Leadership Culture
The CFA operators are selected from a diverse vocational and leadership background that has a proven track record of business leadership. To be considered, all potential operators must meet the company’s preliminary set criterion that exemplifies them to complete an Operator’s application form. Candidates have also been selected through nation-wide exhibitors. The potential operators undergo through an extensive and intensive training program that includes development courses on and any other franchise support prior to fully handling the franchise’s challenging operations. Potential operators are also required to be free from any other active business undertakings for the purpose of being dedicated and working full time for the company. Chick-fil-A also has scholarship opportunities for its top managers that will progress their leadership and management skills, and in so doing it brings effectiveness and quality to the company from the top level.
Chick-fil-A also holds an occasional seminar that brings the company’s top leadership together with the rest of the other employees for bonding purposes. The company believes in the Christian daily living that includes respect and service to all (Ratliffe,n.d.). This social interaction brings unity in the work place and interchangeably improves respect given to employees from the leadership level. Issues are aired out and solutions are suggested from any company employee and this makes every employee feel like being part of the company. Also through local and international tours and ventures, the Chick-fil-A leadership and employees have taken part in community projects and charity and this has historically connected the community with the company.
Analysis
Chick-fil-A represents the American dream theory, culture, and vision which were held by one man through support of various people who helped see the dream blossom. Although Cathy started out small, he has shown that patience pays and his success did not cloud this Christian background, but he rather upheld it to the entire world The Company’s closed-on-Sunday policy has gone well with the community and offered the company a high caliber of people who give relevant priority to this policy. The company has also been consistent in keeping its values such as generosity, religion, and charity activities which has motivated employees and the community around them. The Team Member Scholarship program has helped promote education and creativity among employees. Its policies and customer service has made Chick-fil-A more productive, successful, and not just any other chain of restaurants.
References
Ratliff, Amy. (n.d.). How has Chick-Fil-A’s Corporate Culture had both a Negative and
Positive Impact on the Company’s Success?. Retrieved from http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:P6zfj079ZSoJ:pages.cms.k12.nc.us/gems/mich
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