My visit to Chick-fil-A headquarters has changed the way that I view the fast food industry.
I was granted the opportunity because I asked insightful and revealing questions at a Project Pull meeting. Subsequently, Regional Consultant and Operator Support for Chick-fil-A Chloe Griffin extended her information and encouraged me to use it. I smiled and said, “I’ll treat it like homework.”
I emailed later that day when she happened to be at dinner with Vice-President of Student Affairs Eric Summers and Marketing and Supply Chain professor Michael Jones. Griffin let the two read the email I sent her. The following morning I woke up to several emails from Summers and many other Chick-fil-A consultants.
Griffin’s email stated, “We all were extremely impressed by your presence, your willingness to ask questions and now your impeccable communication skills. I’ll be in touch about future opportunities at Chick-fil-A.”
Less than two weeks later, I found myself in a Ford Explorer with other individuals driving to Chick-fil-A’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
After hearing about the accomplishments of others, I felt like the underdog. When I made it to the hotel room, I popped in my headphones and watched hours of motivational videos. I gleaned that people pull for the underdog when they put up a fight. As a result, my confidence grew wild and I remembered that asking insightful questions was my method to impress.
In the morning I sprung out of bed, freshened up, consumed a healthy breakfast and rallied up an army of questions.
Upon entering the headquarters, my smile grew large and I was filled with excitement. I remember Chick-fil-A Vice-President of Supply Chain Rob Dugas saying, follow me to my office. I chuckled when we were seated in a section of the cafeteria that was surrounded by whiteboards. “Why is your office the cafeteria?” I asked. Dugas smiled, told me good question and proceeded to answer.
His smile was contagious as he responded, “Because I felt good!”
Touring the facility, I continuously asked questions.
“What products or services are in the development stage? What educational preparation do you recommend? What types of training does your company offer?”
Suddenly, I didn’t feel like the underdog anymore. Everyone was interested in what I had to say.
Dinner was quickly approaching, and Griffin asked me to bless the food.
I didn’t feel comfortable, but I remember the motivational video that stressed how you’ll miss 100 percent of the shots you never take, so I welcomed the opportunity.
I went to YouTube for help, but I didn’t find any prayers that I could relate to. “Be authentic,” I said to myself looking in the mirror.
It was time to bless the food and I stood up and said, “This isn’t your traditional prayer, so I’m going to take y’all home. I want to thank my heavenly Father for granting us this time to acknowledge him because we tend to make all the time in the world for the creations, but not the creator. But before we show our gratitude, I want everyone to forgive anyone that ever tried to bury you, because little did they know you are a seed. Furthermore, be grateful! Say ‘thank you’ for what is already yours. God wants us to live fully. You don’t defeat the grim reaper by living longer, you defeat him by living fully.”
After dinner, Dugas and I caught up and talked about the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people.
“Always seek to befriend people two levels above you,” said Dugas. “If you are in middle school and wondering what is like to be in high school or any advice, you shouldn’t ask a high schooler. Your two levels up would be a college student. Former education will make you a living and self-education will make you a fortune. You alone are responsible for your development, but you are never alone.”
Prior to visiting Chick-fil-A, I never understood the importance of their employees responding “my pleasure” after serving customers. When we say, ‘You’re welcome,” in so many ways it’s saying okay you can return the favor. When someone replies, My pleasure,” it shows you’ve done a good deed and you don’t expect anything in return.
So like me, be inspired to ask great questions to unlock the mysteries of life and say “my pleasure” to show gratitude.
