How Chick-fil-A Hires: The Christian Way
The chicken chain’s hiring practice is long and controversial; but it’s hard to argue with results. Credit: J. Reed
There are a few things you need to become a franchisee operator of a Chick-fil-A.
A commitment to the company. A strong belief in “wholesome values”. A willingness to endure a year-long vetting process. And it helps if you are married.
What don’t you need? A lot of money.
Chick-fil-A is, store-for-store, the most successful fast food restaurant in America, despite all of its locations being closed once a week (Sundays). And yet, to become a franchise operator, a person only needs $5,000, compared to the $1.9 million it takes to open a KFC.
Rather than looking for operators with cash, S. Truett Cathy – the company’s founder – has always focused on finding people committed to the company’s mission statement. And what is that?
“To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us,” it reads. “To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.”
The Hiring Process
Chick-fil-A gets between 10,000 to 25,000 applicants a year from aspiring franchise operators to fill the 60 to 70 open slots that open up each year, according to www.ajc.com. As part of the application, Chick-fil-A asks candidates to disclose their marital status, number of dependents and their involvement in community, civil and religious organizations, according to southernstudies.com.
The company’s vetting process can include more than a dozen interviews with an applicant – some lasting hours – and the applicant’s family, including with their children, according to Forbes.Cathy told the magazine he is looking for married candidates (he believes they are more industrious) who are loyal, wholesome and treat their families well.
“If a man can’t manage his own life, he can’t manage a business,” Cathy said, according to Forbes.
Chick-fil-A’s hiring practices have been met with opposition, as the company has been sued at least 12 times on charges of employment discrimination, according to Forbes. And yet that has done little to stop the company from becoming the most successful fast food restaurant in America on a per-store basis.
The average Chick-fil-A store produced $2.7 million in revenue in 2010, which was $300,000 more than second-place McDonald’s, according to www.ajc.com. And turnover at Chick-fil-A stores for both franchise operators and hourly workers are both far below industry averages, according to Forbes.
One quick note, unlike many fast food chains, Chick-fil-A owns all of its stores and has franchise operators instead of owners. The setup seems to be mutually beneficial, as the average Chick-fil-A franchise operator makes $190,000 a year, more than most franchise owners, according to www.ajc.com.
The Bottom Line
Chick-fil-A’s hiring process is like Zappos in same ways: it has a very clear culture and makes cultural fit a top priority. The results are hard to argue with, as the company is one of the most successful restaurant chains in America, despite Forbes reporting that its closed-on-Sunday edict costs the company $500 million a year.
Saying that, there are many critics to the restaurant’s hiring practices and it seems to be a lawsuit-magnet. And by looking for a certain profile, the company is potentially excluding great candidates.
Ultimately though, what makes the company successful is its top-down commitment to one, clear vision, whether you agree with it or not. And that is epitomized in its hiring practice.
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6yHere is how I came across this discussion. I own a small company and have just another woman working with me. I am a Christian and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I put God above all else. The other woman who works with me was just saved because my life is God and so God comes up a lot. I play Christian music in the office. Now, I need a part-timer, if I would hire someone who would be offended by Christian music and by my talking about God often, I would have to watch what I say and change what I listen to. So I'm not free to be who I want to be because someone else is offended by it. I want to hire someone with the same beliefs as me and I should be allowed to do that. I'm not making you take this job and you shouldn't make me hire someone that wouldn't fit in. I don't see a reason for a law suit.
Credit Director | Credit Management | Underwriting | Risk Management & Commercial Growth | SME Lending | B2B Credit | Corporate Finance | Data Driven Decisions | International Finance | Team Leader | Financial Analyst
7yWow - commitments & convictions in business, and ones that yield success - amazing. Love to have these guys come over to the UK - we could do with some integrity and a decent chicken sandwich!
NONE at NONE
7yI'm very very pleased that I've never been a customer of theirs, and hopefully will never be!
NONE at NONE
7yThank Goodness, I 've never been their customer!
South Texas Area Market Manager - Lomanco
9yThe fact is that regardless of why you don't hire somebody is irrelevant, because there is always a reason. Chick-Fil-A being so open about it shows the commitment to their expectations and vision for the company. With any company, the most qualified person is often times the person with the highest drive, ability and will ultimately 'mesh' most with the company and it's values. I see nothing wrong with them hiring who fits the mold that they are looking for. Repeating what was said below, if I am against it and have a burning desire to run a fast food restaurant, then I should go open my own. This feeling of overwhelming entitlement that everyone carries is what is going to sink this generation and more to come.