This is the Chick-fil-A where I serve. These are real people. This is a real story. It’s FAR more than just good chicken. It’s life touching life. So blessed to be a part of it all.
A Blast Beyond the Clock
I think it’s an understatement to say that we absolutely LOVE our team members at Chick-fil-A. And that love is not confined to the time clock. We don’t simply care about them and how they are doing while clocked in, but we desire to invest in them and their interests far beyond the clock. Tonight was Senior Night for one of our team members, Hannah Hastings… so a few of us drove over to the local high school and had a blast cheering on her and her fellow teammates. It had been YEARS since I had last attended a volleyball match. Hannah did amazingly well… and it was fun to spend time together as a CFA family. After the games, my wife and I were talking about how awesome it would be to have a store someday, and continue to invest in the lives of others. People are definitely our Passion!
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Where there is no vision….
I’m a HUGE proponent of “enjoy the moment” and don’t get too focused on the future. However, if there are no plans, no goals, no VISION… you will fail. Period. Now that I have almost nine months of experience at my local CFA store, it is definitely time to begin planning ahead.
For those of you not familiar with Chick-fil-A, there are a few “paths” to take in the journey to hopefully becoming an Operator one day. You can apply to become a Corporate Trainer, a Grand Opening Supervisor, or an Interim Manager (IM)…. to name a few of the more standard routes. Andre Kennebrew (CFA Corporate Talent Scout) recently visited the Charlotte market to explain these paths, and how extremely competitive it has become. Basically, there is so much interest out there, that they can afford to take only the “cream of the crop”. WOW! Honestly, I wanted to walk away from that meeting discouraged… thinking that there is no way that I can make it with only nine months experience up to this point.
Thankfully, my Operator, Dean Sandbo, encouraged me when he mentioned that he could see me in the IM program. This was the path that my wife and I have been desiring since day #1. Andre had mentioned two things that stood out to me in the meeting in regard to the IM program. 1) They were seeing more and more 30-ish year-olds from other backgrounds than CFA enter the program. 2) They are OK with families with children. I thought to myself, “This is the time… if I am ever going to take it. My kids will be under school age… and we are not tied down to Charlotte at all”.
Some of you are wondering what the IM position entails…. I will sum it up for you! Think of an interim pastor filling in at a church. It’s basically the same principle. For “up to” 2 years, my family would potentially bounce around the USA while I stood in as an interim operator until corporate found a permanent operator for that specific location. I could be in Texas for a 3 months… then moved to Chicago for 6 months… then New Jersey for a month. You just never know. It all depends on the need. At any point during those 2 years, they could pull me out to inform me that I am ready for my own store…. or, I could spend two years traveling around the country, and at the end…. discover that I don’t have what it takes to be an Operator. Again, nothing is guaranteed. It’s a Christian-based organization, and there is definitely a lot of FAITH involved!! But I know this is where God wants us…. and I am going to do my ultimate best to pursue the IM program. It’s really, really tough to get in… but with God, all things are possible.
To wrap this post up, my plans are to remain in my local CFA for another year (ish)…. and then hopefully hit the road, or go another route. I would definitely appreciate your prayers on our behalf. Even though I often feel SO incredibly inadequate, my love for the CFA brand, my guests, and my team members is out of this world!
Below: Andre Kennebrew (center) talks with team members interested in a long-term career with Chick-fil-A
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They didn’t fail me
As I drove in to work this morning at 5am, I began to ask God to give me wisdom for the day. Due to 3 of our leaders being unable to work this weekend, we were stretched thin… and I definitely needed God’s help as I ran the AM shift. When I finished praying, God gave me an incredible thought: Trust the Team. Wow! So simple, yet so hard to do at times. I’m the type of person that loves to do ALL of the work myself, but as a leader, it is impossible. Sure you know it’s done right when you do it personally… but all the time training and investing in these kids was not in vain. They are equipped and able. That said, we had one of the busiest days in recent months. A line to the door for almost 5 hours. What did I have to do? I had to trust the team. And they didn’t fail me.
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I’m no football team.. but I have a cheerleader!
I cannot begin to describe how incredibly important my wife has been, currently is, and will be on this journey. When I think back over these past 7 months, I see how valuable and crucial it has been to have my wife as my biggest cheerleader. Leaving a career in Christian radio and taking the leap of faith financially, as well as sacrificing our time as a family, is never “easy”, but my wife has stood by my side and supported me 110%. She is currently in her 3rd trimester. We are expecting baby #2 (a girl) in November. Our two-year-old son is my temperament. Packed full of energy and personality. It tires my wife out, for sure… and yet she is faithfully cooking, cleaning, getting my uniform ready for the next day, etc. She has given up so much for the sake of following this journey. There are no shopping trips, dinner out with friends, or massages… she went back to an old flip phone, and we cut the cable TV and gym memberships. The funny thing is… she doesn’t even mind. Not one bit. She believes in me. Sure, it’s tough financially… and I am gone about 60 hours a week (drive time included), but the fact of the matter is that she loves me, and desires to see God use me to impact Chick-fil-A and the surrounding communities. That, my friends, is my partner. My soul-mate. The love of my life. Thank you, babe!
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To hire, or not to hire
The hiring process has to be the toughest aspect of my job. With a personality that loves people, and wants to give a chance to every human being who walks through the doors… it honestly breaks my heart to file an application knowing that they probably won’t be a part of the team. At the same time, this process is good for me in that it stretches me beyond my comfort zone, and makes me realize that just because someone doesn’t fit into our culture, doesn’t mean they can’t excel somewhere else. I wish nothing but the best for them, and cherish the time that we were able to spend together… even if it was for just a few moments. To those new hires… I cannot wait to bring you alongside and show you what a tremendous opportunity it is to serve our community and each other. Welcome to the team!
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Saying goodbye is never easy
Sad to see our seniors go off to college, but excited for their futures! Keep God #1. Love you all!
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Free Food!
July 11, 2013
ANYONE! Yes, I mean ANYONE who comes to see me at work tomorrow… I will give you free food. One catch: You must be dressed like a cow. Hasta mañana!
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I’ll never forget this night.
July 2, 2013
Finally have some photos to show you from the night we dedicated the new store to God! We spelled “CFA” and then held hands and circled the building to pray. Amazing evening I’ll never forget.
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Thanks, Truett!
June 30, 2013
Love that Truett Cathy made the decision to be closed on Sunday! Not only is it honoring to the Lord, but it gives a chance to rest, recharge, and refocus for the week ahead.
HOUSE OF PRAIN 