S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A Founder, Dies

S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A founder, dies

Goodbye to the man who got us to Eat Mor Chikin

 

September 9, 2014 by Gary Glen
S. Truett Cathy, founder of the fast-food chain Chick-fil-A has died. Cathy’s death was announced on Monday by Chick-fil-A, which said in a statement, “He died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.” He was 93.

Credited for introducing the chicken sandwich concept to the fast-food industry, Cathy started out with a single restaurant at an Atlanta, Georgia shopping mall in 1967. Since then, Chick-fil-A has morphed into a giant fast-food chain that now operates over 1,800 locations in 40 U.S. states.

Chick-fil-A’s practices have long been influenced by the founder’s strong Southern Baptist ties. Under the religiously conservative founder, none of the chain’s stores are open on Sunday. According to the company’s website, “Sunday is a day for family, worship, fellowship or rest.” That same conviction also brought controversy to the company when Truett’s son and CEO, Dan Cathy denounced same-sex marriage. He told the Baptist Press in 2012 that the company was “guilty as charged” for backing “the biblical definition of a family.” While the political debate regarding his comments turned into a firestorm, it soon passed.

Cathy is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jeannette McNeil Cathy; sons Dan T. and Don “Bubba” Cathy; daughter Trudy Cathy White; 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Our condolences go out to the family.

Eleven Dos and Don’ts of Proven Entrepreneurial Success

By S. Truett Cathy, Founder and Chairman of Chick-fil-A

1. Don’t be burdened with personal debt.

• Car payment
• House payment
• Establish a nest egg
• Live simple

2. Start early as a teenager. Concentrate on what brings you happiness in your career. Have a tremendous “want to” – determination.

3. Sacrifice material things. Reward yourself later.

4. Shortcut to success: Observe what is working in the lives of others. Teenagers, observe mature individuals.

5. Don’t try to please all people.

6. Set priorities in the proper order.

7. Expand cautiously. Grow your business cautiously.

8. Franchising may or may not be good for your particular business. Use it cautiously.

9. Be prepared for disappointments. Many successful individuals experience failure.

10. Be kind to people. Courtesy is very cheap but brings great dividends.

11. Invite God to be involved in every decision. God gives us a brain to use – common sense. You can do it if you want to. God has given each of us a talent. Maybe yours is yet to be discovered. We honor God with our success. He designed us to be winners.

Excerpt taken from Cathy’s 2007 book: How Did You Do It, Truett?