Story Published:
Jan 25, 2008 at 5:50 PM EST
Story Updated:
Jan 26, 2008 at 9:13 AM EST
We've all seen the signs, "Eat Mor Chikin," the trademark slogan for Chick-fil-A.
If you've ever had a hankering for some on a Sunday, that's probably how you found out Chick-fil-A is always closed that day so employees are free to worship and rest.
Truett Cathy is the man of faith behind the chicken sandwich that built a billion dollar empire.
“It's no reason you can't be successful in all areas, but you have to balance it out,” Cathy said.
He's on the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans, but this humble man from Georgia never set out to accomplish that goal; Truett Cathy just wanted to build a life for his family.
“I feel that the dad is the chief executive officer of the business, of the home, the main teacher. It's too bad that we get other things separating us from caring for the people we love which is the children. That attention is very important,” he said.
On a visit to Westminster Schools of Augusta, Truett, who's 86, talked about the value of a Christian education, one he learned at home from his mother.
“A lot of unexpected opportunities came my way to be sensitive to God's dealing with you. Things I don't understand, how I reached the point I am today because I wasn't all that smart in school and did not get highly educated, but I had a lot of want to and it takes a lot of want to, a lot of commitment to do your best.”
In his 86 years of experience, Cathy says young people have three goals to figure out in life that help determine their success, who will be their “master,” what will be their “mission” and who they will choose for a “mate.”
“God surprised me a lot. Decisions He made for me, circumstances I didn't count on at all. Certainly I didn't count on having a chain of restaurants because after I had two, I realized I had one too many then. But I've been fortunate to have good people around me...to manage it all,” he said.
Truett Cathy lives in the Atlanta area with his wife, Jeannette, of more than 50 years.
Cathy's two sons now run the company.
He is the author of several inspirational and business related books. See the related links to this story for more about Truett Cathy.
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