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S. Truett Cathy was an American businessman and philanthropist best known as the founder of Chick-fil-A, one of the largest fast-food restaurant chains in the United States.
These are his greatest milestones.
Before he built his chicken sandwich empire, S. Truett Cathy answered the call of duty during a pivotal moment in world history by serving in the United States Army during World War II.
He came back a hero and the drive to big things in his life.
Cathy laid the foundation for a fast-food empire in 1946 when he opened a small diner called the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia, marking the humble beginnings of what would become Chick-fil-A.
In 1967, he opened the first standalone Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta's Greenbriar Mall, setting the stage for the company's explosive expansion.
Truett Cathy, along with his brother, pioneered what would become an iconic fast-food item: the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich.
This culinary innovation, created in their original Dwarf Grill restaurant, quickly gained popularity.
From 1964 to 1967, the Cathy brothers demonstrated the sandwich's broad appeal by licensing it to over 50 different eateries, including the well-known Waffle House chain.
His deep Christian faith profoundly influenced both his business practices and personal life, most notably manifested in his decision to keep all Chick-fil-A locations closed on Sundays. Allowing the employees time for worship and rest.
He was a devout Christian, as evidenced by his dedication to teaching Sunday school to teenagers for over half a century at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Georgia.
Cathy demonstrated his commitment to charitable giving by establishing the WinShape Foundation in 1984, extending his influence beyond the business world into the realm of philanthropy.
The WinShape Foundation, whose name reflects its mission to "shape winners," engages in a variety of charitable activities including foster care support, college scholarship programs, summer camps, and marriage enrichment retreats.
Bringing together Cathy's vision of using his success to positively impact communities and individuals.
President George W. Bush awarded Cathy the President's Call to Service Award in 2008.
S. Truett Cathy shared his business wisdom, life experiences, and personal philosophy through a series of five books, establishing himself as an influential author.
His literary works include:
These books have offered readers insights into his entrepreneurial journey, leadership principles, and values for the good life.
He had a passion for college football and marketing acumen converged in his close involvement with sponsoring a major college football bowl game. It evolved from the Peach Bowl to become the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
In 2007, Forbes ranked Cathy as the 380th richest man in America.
Truett Cathy demonstrated remarkable longevity in his leadership of Chick-fil-A, steering the company he founded well into his tenth decade before retiring as both chairman and CEO in November 2013 at the age of 92.
His retirement marked the end of an extraordinary 67-year tenure at the helm of the company.
His legacy would continue to shape the business even after his passing less than a year later in September 2014, at the age of 93, due to complications from diabetes.
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