S. Truett Cathy
Markus Woerfel
HONS 1990
Dr. Cheri Tillman
Starting off Early
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Started selling cold bottles of Coke in 1929 at 8 years old
Sold magazines and newspapers in 1935 to support the family
Opened the first Dwarf Grill (aka Dwarf House) in 1946 with his
brother Ben
Becoming Famous
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Attempted to open a fast-food version of the Dwarf Grill, but
customers hated it
Sold fast-food restaurant to KFC
Over a four year period ending in 1961, developed the chicken
sandwich and the name Chick-fil-A
He unveiled the sandwich to patrons and even Lyndon B.
Johnson’s wife as a publicity stunt
Becoming Famous Cont.
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He fought to open the first in-mall fast-food restaurant in 1967 in
Greenbriar Mall
Jonesboro became home to the first Chick-fil-A Dwarf House in
1985
The first free-standing Chick-fil-A opened in 1986
Being a Servant Leader
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Treutt uses and preaches a servant style of leadership
Builds trust with his employees and customers
Provides opportunities to give to others:
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handed out ‘Be Our Guest’ cards on a flight delayed on the runway
Gave the chance for a friend in need to earn a new car
His leadership is best described when Treutt helped a boy named
Eddie White.
“Nearly every moment of every day we have the
opportunity to give something to someone else – our
time, our love, our resources. I have always found more
joy in giving when I did not expect anything in return.”
Determination for Success
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Managed to maintain two restaurants during WWII, despite food
shortages
The second Dwarf House almost burned to ground one night, but
Truett made sure the restaurant was ready to open the next
morning
Took on KFC when promoting his own breaded chicken
All stores are closed on Sundays
“No goal is too high if we climb with care and
confidence.”
Looking to the Future
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Truett Cathy is a firm believer is sculpting today’s youth.
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Eddie White
Team Member Scholarship
Foster Care
WinShape
“You have to be very careful about what you say. More
importantly, you have to be very careful about what you
do. You never know how or when you influence people
– especially children”
Some Favorite Quotes
“It is when we stop doing our best work that our
enthusiasm for the job wanes. We must motivate
ourselves to do our very best, and by our example lead
others to do their best as well.”
“I believe no amount of business school training or work
experience can teach what is ultimately a matter of
personal character. Businesses are not dishonest or
greedy, people are. Thus, a business, successful or not,
is merely a reflection of the character of its leadership.”
Quotes About S. Truett Cathy
“What impresses me most about Truett Cathy is that he has had the courage to follow
his beliefs even though he’s pressured by the world to do otherwise. Even though
the business world said it didn’t make sense to take Sundays off, Truett insisted on a
day of rest.”
Larry Julian
Author, “God Is My CEO”
"Through his passion for people (especially children), and his boundless generosity
matched only by his incredible energy, Truett continues to build a brand that extends
far beyond his signature Chick-fil-A sandwich. His values-driven business practices
serve as an inspiration for all of us."
Ken Bernhardt
Regents Professor, Marketing Department Chair, and Taylor E. Little Jr. Professor of
Marketing
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
Sources
Cathy, S.Truett. Eat Mor Chikin, “Inspire More People: Doing Business the Chick-filA
Way.” Decatur: Looking Glass Books, 2002.
Blanchard, Ken and S. Truett Cathy. The Generosity Factor. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2002.
www.truettcathy.com