The secret game changer to a Chick-fil-A restaurant? Build community within the walls. When I took over Hospitality Director, I wanted to be intentional about building community INSIDE the store…. because only then could we truly and genuinely impact the community OUTSIDE the store. This past year we have had two gym nights, played flag football twice, conducted a Sunday afternoon Bible study for 6 weeks, invited two Carolina Panther players (Mike Tolbert and Thomas Davis) to come to the store and sign autographs/take pics to raise money for their foundations, a store Super Bowl party next week, and will be visiting a children’s hospital with plush cows and gift cards wearing our “JUST TRUETT” t-shirts. Hanging out with your CFA family outside of CFA changes everything. It molds and makes you into one team/one group. It helps tremendously with the all-too-common Day vs. Night, Front vs. Back. Communication is enhanced, as well as trust…. because they feel invested in. Try it! It’s a BLAST!
Encouragement. It does a soul good.
Chick-fil-A President and CEO, Dan Cathy, often asks groups this question: “How can you tell someone needs encouragement? They are breathing!” Everyone needs encouraging. That’s just how we all are wired. It provides that “oomph” to keep on keeping on.
I love encouraging people, and I have a keen awareness that people need it. Why? Because I need it. Yep. Even with my incredible energy and love of life… I need it. Especially in the middle of this journey that I am on.
Tonight, I received a facebook message from a Chick-fil-A operator in the northeast:
“I wanted to shoot you a quick note and share with you what an encouragement you are. I am thankful and inspired by your optimism, joy and passion. I don’t know too many guys that live life with your level of Christ-centered energy. So thanks. Even on the hard days.”
Wow! Little did he know that I am in the middle of the operator interview process, waiting for the next step to be scheduled. 2016 is up in the air for me and my family, but we serve a God who is in complete control, and a God who gives friends who encourage. Just at the right time.
Share this:
JUST TRUETT.
A few months back, while working mid-day in shift at the home Chick-fil-A, the thought struck me to “JUST TRUETT”. I kind of chuckled to myself and shared it with a fellow team member. A couple weeks later, I went online and made a simple t-shirt with that slogan on the front. Honestly, it was something I did because I told my team member that I should do it, and it would be fun. I finally received the t-shirt a few weeks later, and I posted it on my personal social media sites.
A few days went by, and I began receiving notifications from Chick-fil-A team members around the country asking me where they could get one. I was hesitant. Our founder, Truett Cathy, went home to be with the Lord at the end of 2014, and I did not want this to come across as something trivial, but rather as a unique, creative way to get the message across of what Truett Cathy’s heartbeat was… what he embodied… how he impacted others.
Still hesitant, I emailed Chick-fil-A’s president and CEO, Mr. Dan Cathy, to ask his opinion. Truett was his father, after all, and I wanted his blessing before moving forward. After emailing Mr. Cathy and explaining my thoughts behind the slogan, he responded with: “Terrific idea, Kent! Creative way to get the message across. You have my permission to fulfill all the orders.”
WOW! But now what? I didn’t know the first thing about ordering bulk t-shirts, but I love to learn and I’m an entrepreneur…. so I started doing research. Thankfully, the one who encouraged me to get started and the one whose company did the behind the scenes work for me was a good friend, Keith Rogers, from 323 Sports out of the Raleigh, NC, area.
I never realized how OCD I would be with t-shirts. I rejected the first samples because I wanted a higher-end t-shirt. One that would cost me more money personally, but one that would give Chick-fil-A’ers around the country a quality purchase. After agreeing to the shirt and the font design and size, I put in my initial order for 150 shirts. Exciting!
After setting up a little office in my walk-in closet, and creating a simple google drive order form, I was ready to sell. It’s been 48 hours now, and 22 shirts have been sold. First shipment will be shipped out Monday, January 4. Cannot wait until those who receive them begin wearing them, giving them the chance to share what “JUST TRUETT” means.
This is not about making money. This is not about me. At all. I simply want to #LIVETHELEGACY of Truett Cathy, and continue to serve in the manner in which he served.
So what does it mean to “JUST TRUETT”? When a guest is upset at you…. JUST TRUETT. When you are wrongly accused…. JUST TRUETT. When a fellow team member is going through a tough time…. JUST TRUETT. I like to sum it all up by infusing a good portion of Chick-fil-A’s corporate purpose:
JUST TRUETT.
“Treat each and every person with honor, dignity, and respect. Be a faithful steward of all that God has given to you. Be a positive influence on all those you have the privilege to meet. Love unconditionally.”
If you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt, I’ve posted the ORDER FORM here.
May God bless you all this New Year!!
HOUSE OF PRAIN 