Join Our Team
Athens Chick-fil-A is always looking for outstanding
leaders to join our growing organization.
Team Member Opportunities
We highly value candidates that possess a positive attitude, a heart for people, and a desire to accomplish great things in a fast-paced and exciting business. We believe it is all about how you make people feel! In order to make this impact on our guests we know it all starts with people like you!
If you’re looking for an opportunity
where you can grow both personally
and professionally while making a
lasting impact on the lives of our
community, apply today!




Propel Leadership Development
The Athens Chick-fil-A Propel Leadership Development Program selects candidates who have a solid foundation of strong self-awareness, Chick-fil-A Core Values and a deep understanding of the Chick-fil-A business from which we build the best and brightest culture of leadership development for tomorrow’s Chick-fil-A restaurants. We firmly believe in learning to lead yourself before learning to lead others and learning to lead others before learning to lead our business. We want to help you do that.
During their time in our program, our Propel Leadership Graduates have had the unique opportunity to build a strong foundation of management skills and leadership character which can be applied both personally and professionally.
Some of our graduates entered the program with a desire to pursue a career outside of food service, but they made this two-year leadership investment to enhance those future opportunities. Others decide to build a career with Chick-fil-A either at the restaurant level or at our Support Center and use this leadership development program as the beginning of those pursuits. Regardless of the chosen path, the leadership character that is built on a personal level will have a life-changing impact.

We seek candidates for our Propel Leadership Development Program with the following qualities:
Minimum Requirements:
-
Willingness to commit 2-3 years of employment and development to our organization
-
Strong leadership ability & a commitment to growth and development of self
-
Self-starter with ability to work independently and on multiple initiatives at the same time
-
Demonstrates the importance of Chick-fil-A’s mission (To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive impact on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A) and carries out the Athens Chick- fil-A Core Values (Positive Attitude, Hustle, Continuous Improvement, Have Fun & Stewardship)
Additional Requirements if pursuing a career with Chick-fil-A (need one of the following):
-
Four-year college degree along with willingness to commit 2-3 years of employment and development to our organization
-
Two years of full-time leadership experience and willingness to commit 3 years of employment and development to our organization
-
Three years of full-time leadership experience and willingness to commit 2 years of employment and development to our organization
-
Willingness to commit 5 years of employment and development at Athens Chick-fil-A



As a candidate in the Propel Leadership Development Program, what will I do?
Depending on your experience and skill level, you will be placed in an operational leadership position in our store. During your time with our organization, we will ensure that you receive training and opportunities to learn and lead a variety of roles, responsibilities, and positions. There is no pre-determined “timeline” for this process as movement in our organization depends on our organization’s needs AND your skill level, desire, and capacity for growth. Candidates are challenged but not overwhelmed and receive regular feedback and coaching from General Managers, Director of Operations and multi-unit Operator, Shane Todd.
Candidates learn real operational and leadership skills in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. As a candidate in our Leadership Development Program, you are held accountable alongside our long-term leaders for ensuring that our organization continues to grow and function at the highest level possible while being coached and praised for our stores’ successes.

Will I only work in the store?
While the majority of your development and growth will come in the form of real-life experience managing our store and leading our team, you will receive additional leadership development. This development can include but is not limited to:
-
Quarterly one-on-one coaching sessions with three-unit Operator Shane Todd to track your progress, discuss ways to enhance your Chick-fil-A experience, and focus on personal & professional development
-
Quarterly group development sessions led by Shane Todd with other Propel leaders
-
Personal development plan including developing a personal playbook & quarterly progress meetings & professional coaching
-
Monthly Core/Restaurant Leadership Meetings & Store Meetings
-
Book assignments given by Operator and/or GM
-
Chick-fil-A, Inc. Support Center Visits
-
Visiting other Chick-fil-A stores to learn how other organizations operate
-
Attendance to 1-2 conferences led by Chick-fil-A or other leadership organizations
-
Mentoring developing leaders
-
Attending Chick-fil-A Grand Openings
-
Joining a Toastmaster group
-
Personal finance enrichment through Dave Ramsey class or similar
-
ServSafe Certification (if applicable)
-
Access to StrengthsFinder 2.0 Assessment
-
Building a professional portfolio
-
Interview coaching & exposure to Chick-fil-A, Inc. Human Resources department based on readiness





What can I expect to learn?
The Propel Leadership Development Program sets you up to learn everything you need to know and more as a future Operator or Support Center Staff Member. During your time in our organization you can expect to gain full understanding of the following skills & attributes:
-
Team Member Foundation phase
-
Importance of daily huddles and communication
-
Creation and execution of set-ups and checklists (if not already mastered)
-
Identify and solve real problems
-
Lead your team through actions and ENSUREing
-
Basics of running a $1 million+ catering business
-
Balance our Strategic Anchors of Customer Experience, Team Member Experience and Business Results
-
Food safety and quality assurance as determined by CFA, Inc.
-
Run an effective meeting
-
Track and improve CEM scores
-
Interpersonal relationship skills
-
Develop emerging leaders
-
Business analysis and acumen through monthly business meetings reviewing the FCR with Operator, Director of Operations and GMs
-
Identify, recruit and train new talent
-
InForm
-
Manage and measure work/delegation
-
Drive for results
-
Think quickly and strategically on your feet
-
Foster innovation
-
Provide current, direct, complete, and actionable positive and corrective feedback to others

Wow, that’s a lot! Is it really possible to learn ALL of that in such little time?
We have found that the best leadership development takes place IN the store under strong and effective leadership. We are proud to have more than 30 Athens Chick-fil-A alumni working for Chick-fil-A, Inc. as Operators and Support Center staff over the past 20 years. We know we have high expectations, but it’s only because we believe in being the best we can be.
With our guidance and experience training Chick-fil-A leaders and with your drive, determination and open mind, we can help you reach your goals.
Anything else I should know?
There’s a long line of outstanding Athens Chick-fil-A alumni who have come before you. Here’s a peek at who has been part of our organization and development throughout the years:


Athens Chick-fil-A Alumni: Operators

Michael Clarke
Operator
Gainesville (TX) FSU

Danny Goepp
Operator
Perimeter Pointe FSU

Matt Hughes
Operator
Sports Arena FSU
2015 & 2017 Symbol of Success
2015, 2016 & 2017 Champions Club

Nick Jones
Operator
Vicksburg FSU & Jackson State University

Chris Liberatore
Operator
Cleveland FSU

Daniel Liberatore
Operator
Blairsville FSU

MeriBeth McNeill
Operator
Americus FSU & Georgia Southwestern State University
2015 Symbol of Success Winner
2015 Champions Club

John Millender
Operator
Midlothian FSU
2015 Symbol of Success Winner
2015 Champions Club

John Verlarde
Operator
Whitehall FSU
2007, 2008 & 2015 Symbol of Success Winner

Peter Zimmermann
Operator
Hanes Mall Boulevard FSU & Peters Creek FSU
2016, 2015 & 2012 Symbol of Success Winner
2007 Rookies of the Year

Athens Chick-fil-A Alumni: Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Ashleigh Baker
Principal Program Lead

Aaron Clark
Sr. Project Specialist, Restaurant Food Safety Systems

Mitch Doty
Leadership Development Program

Andrew German
Sr. Principal Lead, Franchisee Selection

Elizabeth Gilley
Project Coordinator

Annesley Mosely
Sr. Specialist, Restaurant Development

Will Mott
Principal Program Lead, Food Safety Culture

Hannah Noltimier
Project Lead, Business Incubation

Alden O’Kelley
Sr. Project Coordinator, Performance Marketing

Brent Patrick
Sr. Agent, Support Now – Restaurant Support

Keri Patrick
Principal Project Lead, Quality

Haley Shue
Project Lead, Performance Marketing

Jake Stovall
Talent Development Program, Trainer

Austin Sullivan
Senior Project Lead, LEAN Initiatives

Ryan Swinford
Sr. Director, Strategic Reinvestment

Hannah Webb
Sr. Principal Team Leader, Customer Digital Experience

Haiden Widener
IT Analyst, Support Now
