Truett cathy autobiography definition

S. Truett Cathy

American restaurateur, businessman, philanthropist

Samuel Truett Cathy (March 14, – September 8, ) was an American businessman, investor, author, and philanthropist who founded the brisk food restaurant chain Chick-fil-A in

Early life

Cathy was born on March 14, , in Eatonton, Georgia, the son of Lilla James (née Kimball) and Joseph Benjamin Cathy.[3] He attended Boys High School in Atlanta and later served in the Joined States Army during World War II.

Career

Cathy began the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain in the Atlanta suburb of Hapeville in with a restaurant called the Dwarf Grill, named for its size.

Cathy has authored two autobiographies (, ) which are the sources of most of the following profile. The Forward to the more recent autobiography was written by Professor Frederick Reichheld, an authority on the impact of loyalty on business performance.

It was there that he, with his brother and business partner Ben, created the chicken sandwich that later became the signature menu item for Chick-fil-A. From to , the sandwich was licensed to over fifty eateries, including Waffle House and the concession stands of the new Houston Astrodome.[4] The Chick-Fil-A sandwich was withdrawn from sale at other restaurants when the first standalone location opened in , in the food court of the Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta.[5]

In April , he opened Upscale Pizza in Fayetteville, Georgia.[6] In November , he retired as both chairman and CEO of Chick-fil-A, leaving his son, Dan Cathy, to assume the roles.[7]

Personal life

He married Jeannette McNeil, and they had three children: Trudy, "Bubba" (Don), and Dan.[8]

Ministry

He taught Sunday school to teenagers at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Georgia, for over 50 years.

[9][10]

Beliefs

He said that the Bible is his guidebook for life.[11] Due to his strong religious beliefs, all of the company's locations, whether company-owned or franchised, are closed on Sundays to allow its employees to attend church and consume time with their families.[12] This policy began when Cathy was working six days a week, multiple shifts.

He decided to close on Sundays.[11]

Books

Cathy wrote five 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 Superior to Build Boys Than Repair Men, an explanation of his business success in How Did You Do It, Truett?, and a final book on the significance of money in today's society titled Wealth, Is It Worth It?.

He also contributed to the anthologies What My Parents Did Right[13] and Conversations on Success, and co-wrote with Ken BlanchardGenerosity Factor: Discover the Joy of Giving Your Period, Talent, and Treasure.

McDonough-Fayetteville Thoroughfare in Fayette, Henry, and Clayton counties, is named in his honor. Cathy said that the motivational book Think and Develop Rich by Napoleon Hill was one of the greatest foundations for inspiration growing up.[14]

Philanthropy

Cathy was closely involved in a sponsorship deal on the college football bowl game founded as the Peach Bowl; from to , and again since , it is known as the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and was simply named the Chick-fil-A Bowl from to [15] On October 28, , Cathy received the last Taurus off the assembly line of Ford's Atlanta plant, in recognition of a year partnership between him and the plant.

Cathy had a Leadership Scholarship program for Chick-fil-A restaurant employees,[16] which has awarded more than $23 million in $1, scholarships in the past 35 years.[17] In , Cathy established the WinShape Foundation, named for its mission to shape winners.[17][18] In addition, Cathy fostered children for more than 30 years.

He received the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership in [17][18]

Death

Cathy died at his abode on September 8, , the age of 93 of complications from diabetes. The family held a public funeral service on Wednesday, September 10, at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Georgia.[19][20][21][22] His interment was at Greenwood Cemetery.

His widow, Jeannette Cathy, died in at age [23]

Honors and memberships

Cathy received numerous honors, including membership in Omicron Delta Kappa (ΟΔΚ), the National Leadership Honor Society.

He received ΟΔΚ's uppermost award, the Laurel Crowned Circle Award in He also received the Norman Vincent and Ruth Stafford Peale Humanitarian Award, the Horatio Alger Award, the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership, and the Boy Scouts of AmericaSilver Buffalo Award.

Cathy was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in [24][25]

He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma PiFraternities.[26]

In , Forbes magazine ranked Cathy as the th richest man in America and the th richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of $ billion.[27][28]

President George W.

Bush bestowed the President's Call to Service Award on Cathy in [29]

In , he was inducted as a Georgia Trustee. The honor is given by the Georgia Historical Society, in conjunction with the Governor of Georgia, to individuals whose accomplishments and community service reflect the ideals of the founding body of Trustees, which governed the Georgia colony from to [citation needed]

Honorary doctorates

In , he received an honorary degree in Doctor of Humane Letters from Oglethorpe University.[30]

Cathy was inducted into the Indiana Wesleyan University Society of Nature Changers on April 3, In addition to being inducted into the Society, the university conferred upon Cathy an honorary doctorate of business.

In May , Cathy received an honorary doctorate along with presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the Liberty University's spring commencement ceremony. In his remarks, Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee at the moment, said, "The Romney campaign comes to a sudden stop when we spot a Chick-fil-A.

Your chicken sandwiches were our comfort food through the primary season, and heaven knows there were days that we needed a lot of comfort." Romney congratulated Cathy on his "well-deserved honor today".[31]

Publications

  • Cathy, S.

    Truett (), Wealth, Is It Worth It?, Looking Glass Books, ISBN&#;

  • &#;&#; (), How Did You Do It, Truett?: A Recipe for Success, Looking Glass Press, ISBN&#;
  • &#;&#; (), It's Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men, Looking Glass Books, ISBN&#;
  • &#;&#; (), Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People, Looking Glass Books, ISBN&#;
  • &#;&#; (), It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail, Thomas Nelson Inc., ISBN&#;

References

  1. ^"Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Dies at Age 93".

    Chick-fil-A. September 19, Archived from the original on December 25, Retrieved September 11,

  2. ^Severson, Kim (September 8, ). "S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A Founder, Dies at 93". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 6, Retrieved September 11,
  3. ^Arnold, Laurence (September 8, ).

    "S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A's Faith-Driven Founder, Dies at 93".

    Born in Atlanta, Georgia on March 14, , Samuel Truett Cathy, may be most famous for having founded the Chick-fil-A chain of fast-food chicken restaurants featuring his beloved creation, the pressure-cooked chicken sandwich, but he's also very well known for his intense generosity as a philanthropist, according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia.

    Bloomberg.

  4. ^McConnell, Akila Sankar (). A Culinary History of Atlanta. Arcadia Publishing. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  5. ^Hayes, Kelly (June 6, ). "The history of Chick-fil-A: From small diner to fast-food giant closed on Sunday".

    .

    Truett Cathy is founder and chairman of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Through the years, that restaurant prospered and led Cathy to further the success of his business. Today, Chick-fil-A has the highest same-store sales and is the second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the United States based on annual system-wide sales. InCathy celebrated his 65th anniversary in the restaurant business with industry-wide recognition: a local celebration at his first restaurant, The Dwarf House in Hapeville, GA.

    Retrieved May 4,

  6. ^Guy Collier, Joe (April 25, ). "Chick-fil-A founder opens pizza restaurant". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on February 4, Retrieved December 2,
  7. ^"Chick-Fil-A Founder Retiring As CEO, Chairman".

    CBS Atlanta. Associated Press. November 7,

  8. ^The Cathy Family. "Cathy Family website". Retrieved September 8,
  9. ^ Carey Kinsolving, In a fast-food society, one who keeps the faith, , USA, July 4,
  10. ^ Bob Allen, Chick-fil-A founder, Baptist layman, Truett Cathy dies, , USA, September 8,
  11. ^ abCathy, S.

    Truett, It's Easier To Succeed Than Fail, Oliver-Nelson Books (); ISBN&#;

  12. ^"Chick-fil-A's Closed-on-Sunday Policy"(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on September 29, Retrieved December 2,
  13. ^"Table of contents".

    Table of contents for What my parents did right!&#;: 50+ tips to positive parenting / compiled by Gloria Gaither. LCCN&#;

  14. ^Cathy, S. Truett Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People, Looking Glass Books; ISBN&#;
  15. ^Tim Tucker (April 18, ).

    "Chick-fil-A Bowl will restore 'Peach' to its name". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on January 31, Retrieved April 20,

  16. ^ Lauren Gallaher, Truett Cathy Of Chick-Fil-A To Speak At Lee University, , USA, October 3,
  17. ^ abc" Simon Prize Recipient".

    We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Born in Atlanta, Georgia on Parade 14,Samuel Truett Cathy, may be most famous for having founded the Chick-fil-A chain of fast-food chicken restaurants featuring his beloved creation, the pressure-cooked chicken sandwich, but he's also very adequately known for his intense sharing as a philanthropist, according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. While Truett's extraordinary business success would appear to speak for itself, he will also be remembered for his admirable entrepreneurism per Wall Street Journal. His innate talent and uncanny insight into all things business have inspired many, both through example and through his various books, in which he shares his various tips for achieving success.

    Philanthropy Roundtable. Archived from the unique on September 27, Retrieved December 21,

  18. ^ ab"Samuel Truett Cathy Philanthropy". Retrieved September 8,
  19. ^"Chick-Fil-A Founder S.

    Truett Cathy Has Died". ABC News. Retrieved September 8,

  20. ^"Death of S.T. Cathy". ABC News.

    Don Daszkowski is an experienced entrepreneur who has trained individuals to become Certified Franchise Consultants. Samuel Truett Cathy isn't just another American triumph story. They built it close a Ford auto plant with the idea of bringing in its hungry employees. It worked.

    Retrieved September 8,

  21. ^Staff (September 8, ). "S. Truett Cathy In Memoriam". CFA Properties Inc. Archived from the original on September 8, Retrieved September 8,
  22. ^"Truett Cathy Obituary"(PDF).

    The Cathy Family. Retrieved September 8,

  23. ^"Wife of Chick-fil-a founder, Jeannette Cathy passes". FOX 5 Atlanta. July 22,
  24. ^"Chick-fil-A Founder to Collect Award for Service to Youth". The Weekly Online!.

    May 25, Archived from the original on March 14, Retrieved December 2,

  25. ^"Silver Buffalo Awards". Scouting: September ISSN&#; Retrieved September 8,
  26. ^"Prominent Pikes".

    Religion: Baptist. Hobbies and other interests: Motorcycling. Military service: U. Army,

    . Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Archived from the original on August 3, Retrieved September 8,

  27. ^"Forbes Richest Americans (): # S Truett Cathy". Forbes. September 20,
  28. ^"The World's Billionaires (): # S Truett Cathy".

    Forbes. March 9,

  29. ^"S.

    The Untold Truth Of Chick-Fil-A Founder S. Truett Cathy: Samuel Truett Cathy (March 14, – September 8, ) was an American businessman, investor, author, and philanthropist who founded the adv food restaurant chain Chick-fil-A in

    Truett Cathy applauded by President Bush". Atlanta Business Chronicle. April 16, Retrieved July 27,

  30. ^"Honorary Degrees Awarded by Oglethorpe University". Oglethorpe University. Archived from the original on March 19, Retrieved March 5,
  31. ^O'Connor, Clare, "Romney Speaks At Anti-Gay Liberty University Alongside Baptist Billionaire", Forbes blog, May 12, ; retrieved May 12,

External links