External Leadership Development Program

About the Role

The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a 24 to 36-month developmental program designed for individuals seeking to grow their business acumen and restaurant leadership skills for future opportunities with Chick-fil-A or other businesses. The program's vision is to develop healthy, high-performing leaders who are influential within Chick-fil-A and beyond.

Program Structure

LDP Participants are expected to serve in two primary roles:

• Grand Opening Supervisor: Consult with independent franchised Chick-fil-A Operators during the new restaurant opening process and lead a team of trainers.
• Interim Manager: Manage Chick-fil-A, Inc.-Operated Restaurants (CORs).

Additionally, LDP Participants may have rotational opportunities at the Support Center for staff projects when a business need is identified.

Key Responsibilities

• Interim Manager Responsibilities:

• Protect the Chick-fil-A brand by ensuring food safety, quality, and executing the Winning Hearts Every Day Strategy.

• Assess and analyze restaurant business in terms of people, quality, customer service, sales, brand growth, and financial return.

• Develop 30-, 60-, or 90-day business plans.

• Recruit, hire, onboard, and supervise Team Members, including managing payroll, scheduling, and performance.

• Develop and implement training plans for Team Members.

• Create role clarity and facilitate clear team communication.

• Conduct Team Member performance reviews and create management plans.

• Develop processes for compliance with employment laws.

• Recruit, select, and schedule Field Talent Staff (FTS).

• Ensure onboarding documents are complete and compliant.

• Supervise and manage trainers' performance.

• Create systems for food safety (e.g., LEAN Chicken) and ensure consistency with Chick-fil-A procedures and brand standards.

• Ensure Restaurant Leaders are ServSafe Certified.

• Assess and ensure necessary equipment, small wares, and office items are available and well-maintained.

• Assess restaurant cleanliness and create sustainable maintenance systems.

• Analyze Customer Engagement Monitor survey results and develop strategies for improvement.

• Evaluate vendor performance and make necessary changes.

• Ensure appropriate inventory levels and oversee inventory/ordering processes.

• Identify and solve business bottlenecks, innovating for throughput maximization.

• Analyze data to make optimal business decisions for financial return.

• Ensure restaurant readiness and smooth transition to the incoming Operator.

• Grand Opening Supervisor Responsibilities:

• Support the New Restaurant Opening process by consulting with Operators on planning strategy and execution.

• Consult with Operators on brand standards, operational issues, business plans, sales generation, vendor strategy, and restaurant layout maximization.

• Recruit, select, and schedule Field Talent Staff (FTS) and ensure onboarding compliance.

• Supervise Field Talent Staff, including performance management.

• Oversee and manage the New Restaurant Opening budget.

• Provide consultation on food safety systems.

• Complete SAFE Daily Critical and eRQA, evaluate results, and advise on corrective measures.

• Forecast sales and advise Operators on recommended inventory levels.

• Consult on resources and tools for brand standards consistency.

• Provide consultation on the setup of necessary equipment, smallwares, and office items.

• Support and advise Operators on back-office systems.

• Consult with Operators to identify and solve business bottlenecks.

• Create an exit strategy for the New Restaurant Opening support team.

Competitive LDP Candidates Will

• Know and Execute the Business
• Know and Execute the Restaurant
• Show Ownership
• Act Wisely
• Communicate Clearly
• Connect Personally
• Persist Creatively
• Lead Humbly

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Travel: Willing to travel 100 percent of the time.
• Availability: Available to work on weekends.
• Physical Requirements:
• Requires prolonged standing.
• Ability to work in noisy, crowded, and fast-paced Restaurant environments.
• Ability to travel (domestic or international flights and driving long distances).

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications:
• Ability to consume the entirety of the Chick-fil-A menu without dietary restrictions.
• Valid US or Canadian Driver License.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Prior restaurant industry experience.
• Bilingual/Spanish Proficiency.

Education & Experience

• Required Years Of Experience: 5 years
• Preferred Years Of Experience: 5 years
• Required Level Of Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Preferred Level Of Education: Bachelor's Degree
• Required Major/Concentration: All Majors/Concentrations

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary:
• Exempt LDP Participants: Annual starting salary of $85,000/year.
• Non-exempt LDP Participants in training: Hourly rate of $30/hour.
• Benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee and eligible dependents.
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Twelve (12) weeks fully paid short-term disability benefits.
• 401(k) retirement plan and employer-funded defined benefit pension plan.
• Paid time off: fifty-six (56) hours at hire and an additional forty (40) hours every six months.
• Paid holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Paid time off for jury duty (up to twenty-six (26) weeks).
• Paid bereavement leave (up to twenty (20) days).
• Paid time off for certain military service obligations (up to twenty-six (26) weeks).
• Paid time off for bonding leave following birth or adoption (up to four (4) weeks).
• Three (3) additional days of paid time off for rest.
• Income tax filing stipend for states outside of home state.
• Two personal trips for employee and two for spouse and legal dependents each year.
• Additional Perks:
• Company-provided laptop.
• Professional development stipend.
• Housing and rental car.
• Financial wellness support.
• Access to the Chick-fil-A Wellness Center.
• Company Wellness program.
• Company Employee Assistance Program.
• Access to discounted products and services through Chick-fil-A Marketplace.