Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Andrew T. Cathy is the Chief Executive Officer for Chick-fil-A, Inc., one of the nation’s largest family-owned businesses. As CEO, Cathy is only the third person in the company’s history to hold that title, following in the footsteps of his father, current Chairman Dan T. Cathy, and his late grandfather, Founder S. Truett Cathy.
With extensive experience working in Chick-fil-A restaurants and serving in multiple Support Center roles, Cathy is committed to ensuring Chick-fil-A's future as a healthy, purpose-driven, global organization devoted to making a lasting, positive impact on the people and communities it serves.
From 2019 until he was appointed CEO, Cathy was executive vice president of operations, overseeing the selection, cultivation, and development of Chick-fil-A's franchised restaurant owners and leading the business operations of all Chick-fil-A restaurants. He joined the company’s Executive Committee in 2013 and served as chief people officer from 2016 to 2019.
Cathy grew up with Chick-fil-A, learning the business and being prepared for leadership by his father and grandfather. He officially began his Chick-fil-A career in 2005 as Operator of the Tyrone Boulevard restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida. In 2007, he joined Chick-fil-A’s Support Center staff as a franchisee consultant. He later led franchisee selection for the company.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in business education at the University of Georgia, Andrew later completed executive studies at Stanford University and the Families in Business program at Harvard Business School.
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The Shoukry Leadership Speaker Series is an ILA Speaker Series that features well-known leaders who share their unique leadership styles and experiences with students. It is supported by a donation from Leonard Leadership Scholar alumnus Paul Shoukry (BBA ’05, MAcc ’05) and his wife Amy.
Andrew T. Cathy is the Chief Executive Officer for Chick-fil-A, Inc., one of the nation’s largest family-owned businesses. As CEO, Cathy is only the third person in the company’s history to hold that title, following in the footsteps of his father, current Chairman Dan T. Cathy, and his late grandfather, Founder S. Truett Cathy.
With extensive experience working in Chick-fil-A restaurants and serving in multiple Support Center roles, Cathy is committed to ensuring Chick-fil-A's future as a healthy, purpose-driven, global organization devoted to making a lasting, positive impact on the people and communities it serves.
From 2019 until he was appointed CEO, Cathy was executive vice president of operations, overseeing the selection, cultivation, and development of Chick-fil-A's franchised restaurant owners and leading the business operations of all Chick-fil-A restaurants. He joined the company’s Executive Committee in 2013 and served as chief people officer from 2016 to 2019.
Cathy grew up with Chick-fil-A, learning the business and being prepared for leadership by his father and grandfather. He officially began his Chick-fil-A career in 2005 as Operator of the Tyrone Boulevard restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida. In 2007, he joined Chick-fil-A’s Support Center staff as a franchisee consultant. He later led franchisee selection for the company.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in business education at the University of Georgia, Andrew later completed executive studies at Stanford University and the Families in Business program at Harvard Business School.
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The Shoukry Leadership Speaker Series is an ILA Speaker Series that features well-known leaders who share their unique leadership styles and experiences with students. It is supported by a donation from Leonard Leadership Scholar alumnus Paul Shoukry (BBA ’05, MAcc ’05) and his wife Amy.
