Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy remembered as visionary leader

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A confirmed Monday that its founder, S. Truett Cathy, died early Monday morning at the age of 93, setting off a rush of condolences and tributes to a man who largely pioneered selling chicken sandwiches and expanding in shopping malls — just not on Sundays. The organization that began as the tiny diner Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Ga., in 1946 grew under Cathy’s leadership to more than 1,800 locations in 40 states and the District of Columbia and more than $5 billion in annual sales. Three generations of Cathys work in the family-owned business, including Truett’s oldest son, Dan, who was named president of the chain in 2001 and chairman and chief executive last year. Truett Cathy was often quoted as saying: “I’d like to be remembered as one who kept my priorities in the right order. We live in a changing world, but we need to be reminded that the important things have not changed. I have always encouraged my restaurant operators and team members to give back to the local community. We should be about more than just selling chicken; we should be a part of our customers’ lives and the communities in which we serve.” Cathy and his family incorporated the principles of their Baptist faith into the business model of Chick-fil-A, famously never opening any location on Sunday, so that franchisees and team members could be home with families. That mingling of chicken and Christianity invited some controversy in August 2012, when Dan Cathy was quoted in the Baptist Press as supporting “traditional marriage,” which thrust the chain into a national debate over marriage equality for same-sex couples. Some of that debate resurfaced online in the wake of the news of Cathy’s death, but the overwhelming majority of responses were tributes to a man regarded with the highest amount of respect in the business community. “Truett Cathy was a model of servant leadership in our industry —  passionate about making a difference in the lives of his employees and guests," Cheryl Bachelder, chief executive of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, wrote in an email to 1851 Magazine. "His approach has generated a remarkable success story in Chick-fil-A. May there be more leaders like Truett!” John Quattrocchi, co-founder and president of Atlanta-based franchise WORKOUT ANYTIME*, recalled in an interview that he first got to know Truett Cathy in the early 1970s, signing Cathy up for a family membership to a health club he managed. By talking to Cathy, reading his books and watching Chick-fil-A grow, Quattrocchi gleaned some of the best ways to develop and expand a franchise business, he said. “Truett was relentless in his pursuit of excellence,” he said. “The Cathy family had many more principles than this, but the three main ones we learned by watching them were think big, keep it simple and do everything with integrity.” Quattrocchi added that he and other franchisors admired Chick-fil-A’s commitment to people. “I don’t know if it’s what they teach or if they just find the nicest people,” he said, “but it’s always like ‘Pleasantville’ in a Chick-fil-A. I consider myself so fortunate to have met him. … He certainly did it his way, he was unyielding in his principles, and we greatly admired him and his company.” Karen Bremer, executive director of the Georgia Restaurant Association, wrote in an email to 1851 Magazine: “We are sure it’s a somber day for the Chick-fil-A family. Mr. Cathy was a man of vision, determination and conviction in his beliefs, which lead to a long and positive life. I know everyone will take solace in the life that he lead.” The GRA added that Cathy was the second recipient of its GRACE Lifetime Achievement award and “was always supportive of our association and generous with his time when we visited his corporate office.” Executives at competing restaurant companies also paid their respect, including Denny’s vice president of marketing John Dillon, who called Cathy a “great man” and tagged his tribute with the hashtag “#leadership.” Leaders and celebrities from outside the restaurant industry also expressed their sympathies for the Cathy family’s loss, including Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal: Financial-counseling celebrity Dave Ramsey, who often quoted Cathy on his radio show and counted the Chick-fil-A founder as a friend, touted his ability to exemplify “faith in the marketplace.” In addition to the quick-service chain run by his heirs, Cathy’s legacy also includes the WinShape Foundation, which, since its formation in 1984, has supported college scholarship programs for Chick-fil-A crew members, the operation of 13 foster care homes, faith-based summer camps, and marriage retreats. He also wrote five books, including “Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People.”