Cole Flanders' journey to becoming a new Chick-fil-A franchise owner and his leadership approach.
Key Takeaways
- Cole's 8-year journey to Chick-fil-A ownership involved multiple roles, including team member, leadership development program, and working with established operators
- Opening a new Chick-fil-A involves intensive hiring (110 people) and training, with corporate support for the initial launch
- Cole emphasizes intentional leadership development and culture-building as key to successful store operations and growth
Topics
Cole's Path to Chick-fil-A Ownership
- Started in the poultry industry after college, wife began working at Chick-fil-A
- Aligned personal purpose with Chick-fil-A's values and opportunities
- 8-year journey: 2 years as a team member, 2.5 years in the leadership development program, 3 years with an established operator
- Selected for Valley, Alabama location; signed franchise agreement in August
New Store Opening Process
- Currently in the pre-opening phase, the store is set to open on December 5th
- Handling business licenses, vendor relationships, and community connections
- Preparing to hire ~110 employees through ~450 interviews in 5-6 weeks
- Chick-fil-A provides support: 3 opening supervisors, 20-35 corporate trainers for 3 weeks
Leadership Development Approach
- Implements 4-month leadership development program for potential shift leaders
- Uses 70-20-10 model: 70% hands-on, 20% peer learning, 10% classroom
- Includes mentorship, on-the-job training, and 7 classroom sessions (~15 hours total)
- Focuses on leadership theory, restaurant operations, and practical scenarios
Culture and Team Building
- Emphasizes creating a positive work environment and personal connections with team members
- Appoints a leader for team member care to handle birthdays, events, and appreciation initiatives
- Conducts bi-annual reviews using a competency model aligned with core values
- Provides clear paths for growth and development within the organization
Lessons in Leadership
- Learned the importance of trusting instincts and not succumbing to peer pressure in business decisions
- Emphasized the need for a strong, consistent vision to guide business growth and decision-making
Next Steps
- Post job openings and begin the interview process for new store
- Continue pre-opening preparations and community engagement
- Implement leadership development and culture-building strategies from day one
- Prepare for December 5th store opening with support from Chick-fil-A corporate team
