| Samuel Truett Cathy | |
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| Born | March 14, 1921 Eatonton, Georgia |
| Nationality | American |
| Net worth | $1.2 Billion |
| Known for | Chick-fil-A founder |
| Website truettcathy.com |
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Samuel Truett Cathy (born March 14, 1921) is the founder of Chick-fil-A, a quick service restaurant chain based in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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Cathy was born in Eatonton, Georgia in 1921. He attended high school at Boys High in Atlanta, which is now Grady High School.
Cathy began the chain in the Atlanta suburb of Hapeville, Georgia in 1946 with a restaurant called the Dwarf Grill or the Dwarf House, named for its small size. It was there that he, along with his brother and partner, Ben, created the sandwich that later became the signature menu item for Chick-fil-A. The original restaurant, since renamed Dwarf House, is still in operation, and the company operates other Dwarf House locations in the metro Atlanta area.
S. Truett Cathy is a member of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Georgia, and also has taught Sunday School there for over 50 years. As an extension of his convictions, all of the company's locations (whether company-owned or franchised), are closed on Sundays — a rare policy within the food-service industry — to allow its employees to attend church and spend time with their families.[1] This is a policy that began when Truett was working 6 days a week, multiple shifts. He decided to close on Sundays to relax and recharge[citation needed], as well as honor God. The policy remains intact today as the restaurants are closed on Sunday.
He is also a philanthropist, having given to numerous charitable causes, many with evangelical ties. Cathy is also closely involved with the sponsorship of the college football bowl game now known as the Chick-fil-A Bowl, but from 1997-2005 known as the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and prior to that simply the Peach Bowl. On October 28, 2006 he received what would have been the last Ford Taurus sedan ever made had it not been for the Taurus' reintroduction for 2008. Regardless of the reintroduction of the Taurus line, the vehicle was the last off the assembly line of Ford's Atlanta plant and symbolizes a 60-year relationship between Truett and the Ford plant. The plant had opened its doors one year after Truett opened the Dwarf Grill and Truett regularly served all three shifts. Mr. Cathy has also given extensive donations to Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia. Cathy also built the WinShape program at this school, and continues to give numerous scholarships each year.
He has written four books: the autobiography Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People, a motivational book entitled It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail, the parenting book It's Easier to Build Boys Than Mend Men, and an explanation of his business success in How Did You Do It, Truett?. He also contributed to the anthology Conversations on Success and co-wrote with Ken Blanchard Generosity Factor: Discover the Joy of Giving Your Time, Talent, and Treasure. There is a portion of Jonesboro Rd and McDonough Rd in Henry County,Georgia and Clayton County,Georgia named in his honor. Cathy has said that the motivational book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill was one of greatest foundations for inspiration growing up.
In April 2008, Cathy opened a new restaurant concept called "Upscale Pizza" with one location in Fayetteville, Georgia.[2] The menu features pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches and milkshakes. Cathy has said there are no plans to turn this one-shot store into another chain.
Cathy has received numerous honors, including membership in Omicron Delta Kappa (OΔK), the National Leadership Honor Society. He received OΔK's highest award, the Laurel Crowned Circle Award in 2009. He also received the Norman Vincent and Ruth Stafford Peale Humanitarian Award, the Horatio Alger Award and the Boy Scouts of America Silver Buffalo Award. Mr. Cathy was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2003.[3][4]
He is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Pi Fraternities.[5]
Cathy is the 236th richest man in America and the 799th richest man in the world according to Forbes magazine. He is estimated to be worth $1.2 billion.[6][7]
Various quotes from him are made available on Chick-fil-A's individually wrapped restaurant mints.
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