She had the “it” factor

This morning I took my kids to a Chick-fil-A that I have only been to a couple of times here in Charlotte. It’s not anywhere near our normal route, but today it happened to be the chosen chicken palace for us. We weren’t there to eat, but I told the kids they could play on the playground and I’d buy them a couple chocolate milks.

As soon as we entered the door, an excited voice welcome us in! I later discovered her name was Finese. She had a big smile on her face while she swept the dining room. I ordered the milks and sat down near the playground. She interacted with my kids before they scampered off into the play area. I asked her what she knew about Truett Cathy. She told me he started Chick-fil-A with a Dwarf House and it grew and grew and he was a great man with Christian faith and that she loves working for Chick-fil-A.

She then noticed that my kids were running breathless in and out of the playground door and had consumed their milk. She volunteered to get them some ice water because after she drinks chocolate milk, she can always use some water. She didn’t know I was noticing everything about her. I noticed how she listened intently to me, while continuing to work. I noticed how she encouraged and complimented. I noticed how she brightened everyone’s day. She cared about me, she cared about my kids, and she didn’t stop working. She had the “it” factor. The perfect balance of work ethic and personality. She made us feel like a million bucks.

When it was time to go, I called the kids down from the slides and gathered socks and shoes. But before I left, I walked up and asked to see Finese. By this time, she had rotated over to the drive-thru window. I asked if I could speak to her. Her manager called her over and the two of them and about three others gathered at the end of the line. I told them that I wanted to say that Finese is something special. That food is food, and even though it’s good chicken, it’s the people who are the secret sauce of Chick-fil-A. I let them in on the fact that I used to be a director at Chick-fil-A as well as train all around the country… and that Finese is one of the best I’ve ever seen.

I then gave her my silicon “Just Truett” bracelet. It’s been my personal bracelet for about three years, but it was time to pass it on to someone who embodied Truett’s heart for service and for people. The world needs a whole lot more Fineses… and Chick-fil-A is blessed to have her!

CFA

KPrainJrLeave a comment

Mission Accomplished!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” 

It was almost two years ago that JUST TRUETT began. A simple idea. An idea that, two years later, I would have never believed would have reached so far and impacted so many. But that was my purpose for it. I wanted something simple, yet tangible. Something that would cause the 16 year-old new hire to ask, “What does ‘JUST TRUETT’ mean?” And in that moment, you have the opportunity to share the life and legacy of a man who not only mastered the chicken sandwich, but someone who also impacted lives. Thousands and thousands of lives.

When he passed in the fall of 2014, everyone knew who he was. Then, as time went on, I began to walk into stores and ask random employees about Truett Cathy. Sadly, many of the younger ones would respond that they didn’t know who he was – though his likeness in the form of a cardboard cutout was standing over near the playground. It was then that I really saw the importance of the JUST TRUETT t-shirt. A simple, yet perfect way to explain who he was and how he served. To the young new hire, “Do you know what you do when a guest comes back into your restaurant incredibly upset because you forgot to place a straw in their bag at the drive-thru window? You ‘JUST TRUETT’! You do what Truett would have done. You treat them and serve them how Truett would have treated them and served them.” And right there, that opens up the conversation of who Truett was, and you not only teach them the correct response in handling a tough situation, but you also get the opportunity to tell his story at the same time.

Right from the beginning, I wanted to do things the right way. I asked Dan Cathy for permission to use his dad’s name on the t-shirt, even though ‘Truett’ is a first name used by many throughout the years. I also did not add the CFA logo, the Cathy name, or CFA font. Why? Because I wanted it to be a simple shirt that only those “inside” CFA would understand the meaning. A shirt where it was “understood” that it was associated with CFA without being technically a CFA shirt.

It took off immediately. Operators and staff across the country were catching my vision. From Dan Cathy, to Mark Cathy, corporate staff, operators, team members, and even raving fans and NFL players – they loved and appreciated the mission and mindset behind the shirt. Operators were messaging me with stories of how they used the shirt to teach classes on leadership. Friends had me ship the shirt to England to wear during the overseas pop-up events. And during the floods in Houston, shirts were shipped down to a local store to use while serving the community. It was making an impact and it was serving the purpose for which I had prayed it would serve.

To this day, as promised to Dan Cathy, I never made a dime off the t-shirts in profit. If anything, I took a loss and it was worth it to me. I loved this! It was a fun mission and it served its purpose well.

Today, I was asked by the family, through the CFA legal team, to discontinue the shirts. They expressed their gratitude and the efforts made to continue Truett’s legacy, and even though the shirt is technically not a CFA shirt, they need to be careful with their name and I completely understand that.

So as of today, I will be shutting down the Just Truett facebook page, the instagram page, and discontinuing production of the shirts. Those who have the shirts, please continue to tell the story – it must still continue to be told.

To all of who who have used these shirts to create a REMARKable experience for your team and your guests, and to all of you who have made a positive impact on those you have been in contact with because of the shirt, I thank you. Thank you for getting behind me, knowing my motives and heart were pure in this effort and for supporting JUST TRUETT throughout the past two years. I am forever grateful.

I humbly and respectfully bow out, knowing that I love the Cathy family, the brand, and the raving fans. And you never know. Maybe I’ll be adding to his legacy by owning and operating my own CFA restaurant one day. Only the Lord knows. To Him be all the honor and glory. Amen.

KPrainJrLeave a comment

One Year.

It’s been one year since I left Chick-fil-A. I remember September 9th, 2016, well. My team surprised me with cakes, cards, and banners strung across the ceiling over the order line. So many friends came to see me off that day, including my family, my operator, guests that had become family, and even Buffalo Bills fullback, Mike Tolbert and his family – a family with whom I had built a relationship through a little window on the side of the chicken coop.

People often ask, “Do you miss it?! Are you coming back? Are you going to apply for a store again?” I do miss it, sure. But I’m where God wants me right now. And I believe that is the BEST place to be – where God has you NOW. Will I ever apply again? I don’t know. Right now I’m focused on being the best Sales and Marketing Representative for Ryan Homes that I can possibly be. We are settling down in Fort Mill, SC, and have a new home church in Harvest Baptist in Rock Hill, SC.

So I write this brief post to say that there is life outside of Chick-fil-A. When you taste and see and are a part of the culture that is Chick-fil-A, it’s hard to leave. Really hard. But when you realize that God always knows best and that He knows what areas of your life need fine-tuning and stretching, He will find a way to move you, in order to better you.

I stepped into a position at Ryan Homes that has stretched me and is stretching me in every way imaginable. I knew very little about sales, blueprints, construction, etc, but I’m learning daily, and growing in knowledge and experience. It’s fun. It’s a challenge. It’s life outside of Chick-fil-A, and it’s ok. Why? Because personal growth doesn’t just happen in a restaurant. It happens where God plants you.

So I challenge you, my fellow Chick-fil-A’ers who have also been turned down for the Leadership Development Program and/or for Owner/Operator: Step out. Step away. Do something new. Stretch yourself. Just because you aren’t wearing Oobe doesn’t mean God can’t use you!

I’ve learned over 36 years to never say never, but only to trust God and His timing. So let’s never stop learning, never stop leaning, never stop loving, and never stop leading. And simply trust that God has amazing things in store for our lives!

Love you all and am so incredibly thankful for you. Oh, and come buy a Ryan Home from me! 🙂

Tolbert

KPrainJr2 Comments

One fantastic year of #JustTruett

It has been exactly one year since I wrote this post about launching the Just Truett t-shirts, and as I sit and reflect on what has probably been the craziest and busiest year of my life, I cannot help but praise God. I am not where I thought I would be at this time, but the journey has been a blessing and the future is bright.

As most of you know, I was turned down this past May to own and operate a Chick-fil-A in Montana. It was a long shot from the get-go, and corporate had told me they had chosen someone over a year ago, but I still gave it my all and went for it. I’m so happy for the operator they chose for that particulate location. He’s a great guy and a super fit for the Flathead Valley of Montana.

After much prayer, I decided to leave Chick-fil-A in September and go into real estate (though I still enjoy consulting and helping others in their own journeys). I obtained my NC Real Estate license and have almost completed my training to become a Sales and Marketing Rep for the Ryan Homes brand of NVR, Inc. Real estate class was no joke, but I love learning, growing, and expanding my horizons, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Along with changing careers, we lived 3 different places in 2016. We had been renting, thinking I was going to become a CFA operator in some part of the country, and therefore did not want to be tied down owning a house. After signing on with Ryan Homes, we settled back into Fort Mill, SC. I am pretty sure my wife was pumped to finally “settle” somewhere. 🙂

Since so much happened this year, I did not have much time to focus on promoting Just Truett shirts…. yet I was inundated with stories from operators and staff around the country telling me how they were able to use them to tell the story of Truett Cathy and his heart to serve others! Love getting feedback like that.

It has been exactly one year since I began to really promote the t-shirt and teach others the meaning behind the shirt. As I promised Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A and Truett’s son, I did not make a profit selling t-shirts. I had a few people in the chain who were skeptical about the shirts, and/or the motive behind the shirts. Was I making money off of someone who is deceased, am I trying to gain attention, or maybe I was simply using Truett’s name to launch some larger venture later. None of these can be further from the truth.

This year, 210 shirts were purchased/donated across the country…. actually, one went to England as well for the pop-up event Chick-fil-A does for a day. They were used for conferences, events, in-store service, and other venues. With some of the funds, we were able to give $500 to a Chick-fil-A team member who had lost her brother in an accident and needed a vehicle. People have used the t-shirt in so many incredible and creative ways…. I am overwhelmed reading them all. I recently started an Instagram page to try to document those who have sent photos wearing the shirt. You will see operators, corporate staff and even Mike Tolbert of the Carolina Panthers!

I just finished running the numbers, and to those who doubted I was doing it for the right reasons and simply trying to make a profit…. I ended up negative $225 at the end of the year. And that is OK! Why? Because my goal from the very beginning was to create a simple shirt that reminded us all daily to serve as Truett served, to care as Truett cared, and to love as Truett loved. It’s a model of service that continues to this day in Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country, and hopefully this shirt helps in a small way to carry on his legacy.

A special thank you for everyone who purchased a shirt or multiple shirts this year. Because of you, so many lives were impacted this year. May God bless you! tc

KPrainJrLeave a comment

The End of an Incredible Journey… or is it?

Most of you know by now that this past week brought the news that I will not be moving ahead in my journey to own/operate a Chick-fil-A. At least not now. This news did not devastate me, nor was I angry. I know the system and how it works, and I knew this going in almost 4 years ago. I simply was not competitive enough. Chick-fil-A has 50,000 individuals per year starting the process to become an owner/operator. I made it to step 5 of 7. The top 400 of 50,000 or so. And I am very humbled and grateful to have made it that far. I am in a tough spot at my age. Mid-thirties with a family makes it difficult to be a solid candidate for the Leadership Development Program (on the road living in hotels for about 2 years opening up/running Chick-fil-As around the country), and I am not in my 40’s or 50’s with a wealth of experience from past employment. On paper…. I don’t compete. And I completely understand that from corporate’s point of view.

The only frustrating part is that I don’t know where I fit in…. or how to become THAT competitive. I feel like I have done everything in my power to become prepared to operate a store, and who I am and the endless energy and passion I have for Chick-fil-A would go far beyond simply making a local business profitable. But I am not upset. I know God has a plan, and I know that it is a perfect plan for me and my family. Sometimes it is God’s timing, or sometimes it is a completely new plan – only time will tell.

I want to thank my wife first of all for everything. And by everything, I mean the sacrifices, large and small, that she has made over the past 4 years. She was my biggest cheerleader, and she was ALL IN just as much, if not more, than I was. She is incredibly strong with a heart of gold. She will make an amazing operator’s wife one day, if that is what God wills. I love her dearly and desperately wanted to reach my goal for her. Love you, sweetheart.

Thank you also to the many Operators, Grand Opening Supervisors, trainers, Corporate staff, friends, guests, family, etc who cheered me on since day 1. I never once had someone tell me that I would never make it as an operator, but rather hundreds, if not thousands, telling me to keep going…. that they would love to help me and serve with me one day.

Though I am at peace and trust God with corporate’s decision, guests of mine are crushed. I returned to work this past Friday, and guest after guest walked in shocked – I don’t know if they were more shocked at the decision or that I had a smile on my face. Many operators reached out to me. Some told me they cried, while others expressed that if they had to go through the process today, they would not even make it.

You know what all this tells me? That this journey was not in vain. The people I know now that have impacted me, and that I may have impacted…. I wouldn’t have met them 4 years ago. The massive amount of support and outpouring of love during this journey and after the news came last week has been humbling. I don’t deserve any of this…. but God, in His goodness and grace, allowed me precious time with individuals all across this country. These moments are priceless to me!

I love Chick-fil-A and I will always love Chick-fil-A. As of now, I am still serving at my local CFA as a director working 50-55 hours a week. And until God moves me, that is where I will be. Is the journey over? I honestly don’t think so. I try to force myself to lose the desire to own my own store… and then I clock in and do life with my team, and after hugs and high fives and accomplishing goals together…. I realize I can’t stop pursuing my dream. It’s what I do. It’s who I am.

Many have asked if I am upset or mad. Almost telling me with their eyes and tone of voice that it would be ok to say yes. But no. I am at peace. I am at peace knowing that God is good all the time. Never is He NOT good. And though people all around the chain know I would make a tremendous operator, the one person who could say no, did say no. And they did their job well. They have to make sure they choose the best fit for every opportunity. To play God and to judge their decision would be foolish. To trust God and wait on His will and timing is obedience. So I choose to obey. I choose to wait. I choose to continue to be full of joy. I choose to keep on serving faithfully.

I leave you with this story from this past Saturday.

A mom and her little girl were getting into line to order when I walked by them to grab something from outside. She stopped me and told me that she had used me as an example when teaching her kids a lesson that week. I recognized the mom, but didn’t know her personally. She went on to explain that her 9th grade boy was telling her how his friends in the same grade were out partying/drinking and making poor decisions. Her son then said that he doesn’t have to hang out with that crowd and wants to make wise decisions. I bent down and asked the little girl what the mom had said about me. The little girl looked up at me and said, “Mommy said that she wants me to marry someone like you one day”. I was shocked, as I had never spoken to them before. The mom then began to tear up and told me that she can tell simply by the way I serve people in the restaurant that I am someone that she wants her boys to look up to and her daughter to marry. It was all I could do not to get all emotional! WOW! Do I deserve those comments? No. Any good in me is by the grace of God alone. But God used that instance, just mere days after receiving a “no” answer, to keep that flame burning inside of me.

To you that have followed this journey…. thank you! You are appreciated far more than you will ever know. I truly hope this isn’t the end. I have insane faith that it is not. In fact, I  check my email throughout the day thinking that I will receive one saying that they have changed their minds and have a store for me. But if that day never comes, I thank God that He used CFA to bring you into my life. May God bless you. #JUSTTRUETT

 

KPrainJrLeave a comment

Interview Information: Please pray!

Many of you know that I will be interviewing for the Chick-fil-A Leadership Development Program this coming Thursday, March 5. I humbly ask for your prayers that day… specifically for the following:

  1. For those interviewing me to have wisdom and discernment on whether or not I am a fit for the program.
  2. That I would have a clear mind to adequately and sufficiently express my love and passion for people, operations, and the incredible brand that is Chick-fil-A.
    For those interested in praying during my interview, here are the details for Thursday:
  • AM flight down to Atlanta
  • 10:30am-11:15am (interview)
  • 2:00pm-2:30pm (interview)
  • 2:45pm-3:00pm (interview)
  • PM flight home to Charlotte

Thank you all so much! Whatever the outcome, I rest in God and His PERFECT plan for our lives.

IMG_2177

KPrainJrLeave a comment

This is all about you, God!

About a year ago or so, I joked that before our new Chick-fil-A in Indian Trail opens for business, we should join hands, completely surround the building, dedicate it to God, and have a plane fly over and get pictures…. I thought it was far fetched. But thanks to Dean Sandbo, Wayne Potter, JAARS and their helicopter… it became a reality. Can’t believe it has almost been a year! Excited to attend Certified Trainer Class this week in Atlanta and continue to grow in my journey at Chick-fil-A!

KPrainJrLeave a comment

An incredible opportunity to minister!

June 12, 2013

A lady with 3 kids or so was hit from behind and her SUV flipped over on its side. Not to mention she is 26 weeks pregnant. This happened a mile from our CFA. We were able to run chicken minis and milk to the scene for the little kiddos while the ambulance took mom to the hospital to check on the baby inside. Happy to say all are doing well. Love that we can be there for our community!

KPrainJrLeave a comment