re: What is Chicfila's secret to hiring and retaining good employees?

There's a lot that goes into why.

I think an understated part of this is that CFA is obviously a lot different from most fast food environments. Go to a suburban CFA on a weeknight and you'll find soccer mom families sitting and eating together. How often do you see that at Wendy's or McDonalds (esp in the Southeast?).

I imagine working to facilitate that provides a different level of satisfaction than slinging bags of burgers or fried chicken to rude people in other environments. I'm not saying it's a fulfilling job, but I imagine it does provide a different appeal to more wholesome kids.

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The biggest competitive and determining advantage in any industry (from Sports to Fast food) is great ownership. Proper ownership trickles down to the management and then the worker bees.

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This is ultimately what it boils down to. They are very, very selective about who owns and operates their stores.

If you, as a respectable and productive person, had to choose a fast food place to work, would you rather work at Chick Fil A or Popeyes? Good workers and management attract more of it.

I would guess that their turnover is still pretty high. Less than other chains but still high.

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The one in BR is owned by a Mormon so he hires other Mormons. At least that’s how it was 15 years ago

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Which one in BR? College Dr? Seigen? University? Burbank?

It’s because they understand stereotypes exist for a reason.

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know the corporate office sponsors a ton of employee scholarships and development activities. I think it is easier for them to attract employees with motivation/goals.

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My twin daughters worked at one from age 15.5 to 20-ish. I believe they both received 15k in scholarships. I worked at one 40 plus years ago. Back when you can only get one scholarship and got $1,000 scholarship. It covered an entire semester in college. By and large, management is solid as a Sears crowbar. They work with youth groups, they allow Bible studies to meet in their dining rooms, Early in the mornings. They attract a classy clientele, which will not tolerate bad employees. So while it's true that it's from the top down, it's also from the bottom up.... It works.

There are lots of reasons, like No stores being open on Sunday, and a great program that let's you qualify for a variety of college scholarships. But mostly, it's a corporate culture that flows through everything they do.

Christian leadership and values. Hiring solid citizens.

They recruit at churches. They’ll go to a youth minister and get 4-5 applications each time. They then provide an atmosphere that makes people not hate their job.