Ethan Walker
S. Truett Cathy was a devout Southern Baptist and the founder of Chick-fil-A. Cathy was born in 1921 in Eatonton, Georgia, and grew up in a close-knit but impoverished family. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army and later opened a diner in Atlanta with his brother, Ben, called The Dwarf Grill, which was later renamed The Dwarf House. This was the first of many restaurants that would make up the Chick-fil-A empire. Cathy was a devout Christian and taught Sunday school for over 50 years. He closed his restaurants on Sundays so that his employees could attend church and be with their families. He was also a philanthropist, fostering children for over 30 years and establishing the WinShape Foundation in 1984 to provide college scholarships. Cathy died in 2014 at the age of 93.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founder of Chick-fil-A | Yes |
| Christian | Yes |
| Devout Southern Baptist | Yes |
| Taught Sunday school for over 50 years | Yes |
| Closed his restaurants on Sundays | Yes |
| Billionaire | Yes |
| Wrote a book on the significance of money | Yes |
| Received the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership | Yes |
| Died on September 8, 2014 | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
S. Truett Cathy was a devout Southern Baptist
S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, was a devout Southern Baptist. Cathy was born in 1921 in Eatonton, Georgia, and was named after a pastor friend of his parents and the well-known Baptist evangelist George W. Truett. Cathy's parents were impoverished, and his mother was a hardworking woman with great spiritual depth.
Cathy's strong Christian beliefs influenced his business practices. Notably, he decided to close his restaurants on Sundays, refusing to deal with money on the "Lord's Day". This decision was made as early as 1946 when he opened his first restaurant, and it remains a defining feature of Chick-fil-A today. Despite potential financial losses, Cathy prioritised his faith, and this stance has contributed to the company's reputation as a values-based organisation with strong Christian ideals.
Cathy's religious convictions also led him to establish the WinShape Foundation in 1984, which provides college scholarships, residential camps, a retreat centre, and a foster home. Much of the funding goes to Christian organisations, and the foundation has been criticised for donating to anti-gay groups. Cathy himself faced backlash for comments opposing homosexual marriage, which sparked a boycott of the restaurant chain.
In addition to his business endeavours, Cathy was a dedicated teacher. He taught Sunday school for over 50 years and authored several books, including an autobiography and a parenting book titled "It's Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men", reflecting his commitment to helping young people.
Cathy's life and work exemplified his Southern Baptist faith. He received numerous awards, including the Horatio Alger Award and the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership, recognising his leadership and dedication to his values.
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Cathy taught Sunday school for over 50 years
S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, was a devout Southern Baptist. He taught Sunday school for boys for over 50 years, only retiring from teaching when he became unwell. Cathy's commitment to his faith was evident in his business practices. He famously closed his restaurants on Sundays, foregoing profits to allow his employees to attend church and spend time with their families. This decision was influenced by his mother, who Cathy described as a "hardworking woman with great spiritual depth".
Cathy's religious beliefs were also reflected in his charitable endeavours. He established the WinShape Foundation in 1984, which provides college scholarships, residential camps, a retreat centre, and a foster home. The organisation donates significant funds to Christian organisations and has been criticised for donating to anti-gay groups. Cathy also fostered children for over 30 years and received the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership in 2008.
Cathy's strong Christian values were also evident in his personal life. He was known for his strong work ethic and lived a life of integrity and humility, sharing his wealth generously. Cathy's commitment to his faith and his community was recognised through numerous awards, including the Horatio Alger Award, the Norman Vincent and Ruth Stafford Peale Humanitarian Award, and the President's Call to Service Award bestowed by President George W. Bush in 2008.
Cathy's faith was a driving force in his success, and he credited his mother's spiritual leadership and the hardships of his youth for his achievements. He wrote several books, including an autobiography, a motivational book, and a parenting book, reflecting his dedication to inspiring and mentoring others. Cathy's legacy is that of a man who lived his faith, impacting the lives of those around him through his business, charitable initiatives, and personal example.
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Cathy's company Chick-fil-A is known for its Christian values
S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, was a devout Southern Baptist. Cathy's company is known for its Christian values, which are reflected in its corporate culture, customer interactions, and societal impact. From the beginning, Cathy based his business on Biblical principles, believing that they were also good business principles.
One of the most well-known manifestations of Cathy's faith is Chick-fil-A's policy of closing on Sundays. This decision is rooted in the Christian commandment to observe a day of rest, and it also reflects Cathy's desire for his employees to have time for worship, rest, and family. In addition to this, Chick-fil-A restaurants often play instrumental Christian music, and some feature Bible verses or the Ten Commandments on the walls.
Cathy's Christian values influenced his business model and work ethic. He saw his business as a platform for ministry and a way to demonstrate God's love through service to others. This perspective was unique in the fast-food industry and remains a distinctive feature of Chick-fil-A's brand identity. Cathy believed in the biblical principle of stewardship, which meant managing resources wisely and with gratitude to God. This principle is evident in Chick-fil-A's commitment to using high-quality ingredients, ensuring employee satisfaction, and investing in community projects.
Cathy's legacy extends beyond his business achievements; it is a legacy of faith in action. His commitment to integrating Christian values into his company has inspired other entrepreneurs to consider the ethical and spiritual dimensions of their business practices. Chick-fil-A strives to create a workplace culture where everyone is treated with honour, dignity, and respect, and its policies, practices, and benefits support this goal. The company also values diversity and inclusion and aims to innovate and maximise care for each other.
Cathy's Christian values also led him to establish the WinShape Foundation in 1984, which provides college scholarships, residential camps, a retreat centre, and a foster home. While a lot of the money goes to Christian organizations, WinShape has been criticized for donating to anti-gay groups. Cathy's company and personal values have made Chick-fil-A a beloved brand to some and a controversial one to others.
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Cathy's company has been criticised for donating to anti-gay groups
S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, was a devout Southern Baptist. Cathy's company has been criticised for donating to anti-gay groups. In 2011, a Pennsylvania Chick-fil-A franchise donated food to a local anti-gay organisation, prompting a nationwide boycott of the chain. In response, Cathy issued a statement claiming that the company "serves all people" and that it does not have an "anti-gay agenda". However, in 2012, Cathy stated that he did not support same-sex marriage, and the company has been accused of regularly donating to charities known for discriminating against LGBTQ+ people.
Cathy's company, Chick-fil-A, has been criticised for its donations to anti-gay groups, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Salvation Army, and the Paul Anderson Youth Home. In 2018, Chick-fil-A's foundation donated $115,000 to the Salvation Army and $1.65 million to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The company has also donated to the Marriage & Family Foundation, which promotes "traditional marriage" and opposes gay marriage and divorce, as well as to Exodus International, a group that promotes anti-gay conversion therapy. These donations have led to accusations of homophobia and discrimination against the company and the Cathy family.
In 2019, Chick-fil-A announced that it would stop making charitable donations to anti-LGBTQ+ organisations, and the company did uphold this promise. However, it was revealed that the Cathy family continued to make personal donations to such groups. For instance, the Dan and Rhonda Cathy Foundation donated $5,750 to the National Christian Charitable Foundation in 2018, 2017, and 2016. These donations sparked backlash and online criticism, with watchdog organisations tweeting about the company's involvement in "dark money operations" fighting against the Equality Act, which aims to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination at a federal level.
Cathy's company has also been criticised for its stance on marriage and its impact on employees. In 2002, a former employee of a Houston Chick-fil-A sued the company for discrimination, alleging that he was fired because he refused to pray to Jesus with other employees. This lawsuit was settled out of court. Additionally, Chick-fil-A's "Corporate Purpose" statement, which includes the line "To glorify God by being a faithful steward to all that is entrusted to us", has been criticised for discriminating against non-Christians. This statement led to a lawsuit by a Muslim former employee who claimed he was fired for refusing to pray to Jesus during a training session.
Overall, while Chick-fil-A has attempted to distance itself from anti-LGBTQ+ donations and causes, the company and the Cathy family have continued to face criticism and backlash for their personal donations and support for organisations that oppose LGBTQ+ rights and same-sex marriage. These controversies have contributed to the perception of Chick-fil-A as a values-based company with strong Christian ideals, beloved by some and hated by others.
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Cathy's funeral was held at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Georgia
S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, was a devout Southern Baptist. He taught Sunday school for over 50 years and ran a boys' Bible study on Sunday mornings for more than half a century. Cathy's religious beliefs influenced his business practices, including his decision to close his restaurants on Sundays, abstaining from dealing with money on the "Lord's Day".
Cathy's funeral was held at the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 10, 2014. The church is located at 147 Church Street, Jonesboro, GA 30236. The First Baptist Church of Jonesboro invites people to join their community by attending their Discovery Classes, where attendees can learn more about the church and find their place in it.
Cathy was known for his strong Christian ideals, which were reflected in his company's values. He was honoured with several awards during his lifetime, including the Norman Vincent and Ruth Stafford Peale Humanitarian Award, the Horatio Alger Award, the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership, and the President's Call to Service Award bestowed by President George W. Bush in 2008.
Cathy was also a philanthropist, establishing the WinShape Foundation in 1984 to shape winners and offering residential camps, a retreat centre, and a foster home. He also had a Leadership Scholarship program for Chick-fil-A employees and fostered children for over 30 years.
Cathy died at his home on September 8, 2014, at the age of 93 due to complications from diabetes. He was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery. His widow, Jeannette Cathy, passed away in 2015 at the age of 92.
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Frequently asked questions
Cathy was a devout Southern Baptist. He was known for his strong Christian beliefs and for closing his restaurants on Sundays so that his employees could attend church and be with their families.
Yes, Cathy had a son named Dan Cathy, who is now president and COO of Chick-fil-A. He also had another son named Don "Bubba" Cathy and a daughter named Trudy Cathy White.
According to Forbes, Cathy's net worth was estimated to be around $1.2 billion, making him one of the richest people in America and the world.
