Dan Cathy was born in 1953 and grew up around his father S. Truett Cathy's first restaurant, the Dwarf House. He began working for the company at age nine recording radio commercials. Cathy graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Business Administration and began working full-time for his father's second restaurant, Chick-fil-A in 1970. He has held several leadership roles within the company, becoming President and COO in 2001. Under Cathy's leadership, Chick-fil-A has tripled sales and opened over 80 new locations since 2010. Cathy is also involved in several charitable organizations through his work with the WinShape Foundation.

1. Dan Cathy was born in 1953 to a very devoted southern Baptist family. He spent
his childhood around his father, S. Truett Cathy’s first restaurant, the Dwarf House. He
watched his father build an empire and began his actual employment with the company at
age nine; Dan recorded radio commercials for the original restaurant.
The native of Jonesboro, GA graduated from Georgia Southern University with a
bachelors degree in Business Administration then decided to devote his time to his
fathers second restaurant, Chick-fil-A. He has worked full time since 1970 while
receiving his doctorates from the University of West Georgia, Anderson College, Carver
Bible College, and Pepperdine University.
Dan earned his first job title as director of operations. While he was director of
operations he opened more than 50 new Chick-fil-A restaurants. He has also served as
Senior Director of Operations, Vice President of Operations, and Executive Vice
President before holding his current title. In 2001 Dan was announced the President of
the company and Chief Operating Officer, the same year the 1000th
Chick-fil-A location
opened. While being president Dan claims he works in customer service, trying to create
an exceptional dining experience for visiting customers.
Dan travels from chain to chain interacting with the employees and customers.
Rather than sitting in the office all day he attends grand openings and Chick-Fil-A
promotional events. Chick-fil-A has gained great recognition by Dan Cathy’s
professional ways. By him being so involved BusinessWeek and J.D. Power ranked
Chick-fil-A in their top 25 “Customer Service Champs” poll. Restaurant and Institutions
magazines also awarded Chick-fil-A “Choice of Chains” for 15 years as well as QSR

2. magazines 2009 “Best drive thru in America.” Dan Cathy’s most sacred award was
being honored with Fast Company magazines’ “Customer First” award.
Chick-fil-A continues to grow, as do Dan’s responsibilities. Since he became
president and COO in 2001 he has tripled the company’s sales and set a record of $2.96
billion in 2008. Dan was risky enough to launch a new sandwich to the menu: “The spicy
Chicken Sandwich,” which was the first new sandwich to come out since 1989. More
than 10 million sandwiches were sold in less than two months. Dan opened 80 more
restaurants since 2010 throughout college campuses, hospitals, airports, stand alones, and
shopping malls. This helped the economy by providing 4,500 job opportunities.
Dan Cathy is an active member of many organization and colleges around the
world. A few named are:
Member, Board of Trustees, Berry College
Member, Board of Trustees, Morehouse College
Member, Advisory Board, Global Teen Challenge
Member, Board Trustee, Gordon College Foundation
Member, The New Hope Baptist Church (and trumpet player in the church
band)
Sunday School Teacher, 12th Grade Boys – Youth teacher for 37 years
Member, Jenkins Clinic Board of Directors, Vice Chairman
Advisory Board, Heritage Preparatory School
Recipient of the Outstanding American Award from the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame – 2003
Being apart of these college boards he offers opportunities to all employees by
giving out more than $1.5 million in scholarships every year. Dan Cathy is also apart of
the WinShape Foundation along with the rest of the Cathy family. WinShape was
founded by Truett as a nonprofit organization and charitable foundation. This program
helps to “shape winners.” This foundation includes long term foster care program,
summer camps, and more scholarship programs. Cathy also runs the Chick-fil-A Bowl,

3. the annual college football bowl game played in Atlanta between the rivals of ACC and
SEC. Chick-fil-A is very proud of their Cow Calendar full of events no other fast food
chain has.
In addition to his business life, Dan is quite the family man. He met his wife
Rhonda of 36 years in the first grade. Cathy has two sons Andrew and Ross and one
granddaughter. Dan has earned his pilot license and frequently competes in marathons
throughout Atlanta, Orlando, Los Angeles, Boston and New York. When he is not flying
or running he enjoys gardening and being with his motorcycle friends who name them
self “Moo Cow bikers of South Georgia.” On Sundays Dan teaches at a Sunday school to
juniors and seniors in high school at New Hope Baptist Church.