Chick-fil-A on Thursday announced Andrew Cathy — son of current CEO Dan Cathy and grandson of founder S. Truett Cathy — will take over the family business. Andrew Cathy will assume the CEO role on November 1.
“The most successful CEO transitions are made when the next leader is ready to lead. I have every confidence Andrew is ready,” said Dan Cathy, who has been CEO since 2013, in a statement. “As a privately held, family-owned business, Chick-fil-A is able to look at succession through a longer lens and approach a transition like this in a thoughtful and coordinated way. While rare in business today, deliberate, long-term succession planning provides us with stability and continuity at a time of tremendous opportunity.”
Dan Cathy will retain his position as chairman of the board and Tim Tassopoulos will continue in the position of president and chief operating officer.
Andrew Cathy, left, is currently executive vice president of operations, a role he has served in since 2019. Prior to that, he was chief people officer for the chicken chain. Andrew, the third Cathy family member to lead Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A in its 54-year history, has worked at the quick-service chain since 2005, when he joined as a unit operator in St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with and learn from so many Chick-fil-A Operators and executive leaders, including my dad and grandfather,” Andrew Cathy said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our great pperators and staff as we continue to have a positive influence across the communities we serve as a purpose-driven company and one of America’s most trusted brands.”
Dan Cathy noted that he was “in excellent health” at 68 and added, “I continue to love this business and all of you with all my heart, and I’m as energized as I’ve ever been about Chick-fil-A and our shared future… Instead, this CEO transition is about Andrew and his readiness to lead us forward.”
At the end of last year Chick-fil-A had over 2500 units and ranked No. 4 in the Top 500 from NRN and Datassential.
