Boardrooms to Barf Bag: What I Learned From a Day With Dan Cathy

There’s something surreal about sitting in the famous red sofa at Chick-fil-A headquarters, surrounded by a legacy built on chicken sandwiches, servant leadership, and Sunday closures. My day at Chick-fil-A HQ was full immersion into a culture that lives and breathes its values.

The iconic Red Couch, a symbol of Chick-fil-A's commitment to hospitality and personal connection. Sitting on its arm, surrounded by fellow Garden City Private Equity leaders and joined by Dan Cathy.

Faith at the Core

The morning began with a service held right inside the headquarters. This was not just a routine ceremony for appearance’s sake. It felt genuine and grounding, serving as a powerful reminder that it is possible for a business to stay closely connected to its core values even amid the pressures of a fast-changing world. That experience set the tone for the entire day, making it clear that Chick-fil-A’s business model is rooted in faith and a strong sense of community.

A Culture of Excellence

After the service, we toured Chick-fil-A’s innovation labs, and the experience completely changed how I see the company. Chick-fil-A is not just serving up waffle fries; they are constantly reimagining their processes, embracing new technology, and fine-tuning the customer experience. Stepping into these creative spaces felt like catching a glimpse behind the scenes of a well-orchestrated performance. Every detail, from how menus are developed to how drive-thrus operate, is studied and optimized with a level of thoughtfulness and expertise that is hard not to respect.

The headquarters itself really reflects what the brand stands for: it is thoughtful, intentional, and feels completely genuine. Rather than being flashy or overwhelming, the environment is warm and inviting, just like the people who work there. Everyone I met, from the senior leaders to front-line staff, shared a quiet pride in their work but also came across as humble and approachable. One of the highlights was a Q&A session with Dan Cathy’s executive team. Their honesty and openness about both successes and failures left a strong impression on me. I left inspired and eager to bring some of that same energy and sense of purpose back to my own work.

Garden City Private Equity leaders with Dan Cathy, Chairman of Chick-fil-A and son of founder S. Truett Cathy, during a visit to Chick-fil-A HQ.

The Ride of My Life

After soaking up all that inspiration, it was time to head to our next stop: Trilith Studios. This is where the day took an unexpected twist. Suddenly, I found myself riding in the front seat of Dan Cathy’s car. Picture this: the Chairman of Chick-fil-A behind the wheel, casually talking about leadership, family, and faith as we rolled through Georgia’s winding backroads. The whole ride felt like a personal TED Talk on the move, with wisdom coming straight from one of the most influential business leaders in the country.

Partway through the drive, though, I started to feel not quite right. It happened gradually...a bit of dizziness, a churn in my stomach. I tried to stick it out, not wanting to admit I was feeling very sick. By the time we reached Trilith, however, it was impossible to hide. I got out of the car and promptly lost my breakfast.

Leadership in Action

Now, this could have been a mortifying moment (it was for me). But Dan Cathy’s response turned it into something entirely different. Without hesitation, he sprang into action, offering me soda water and a place to sit comfortably. He asked how I was feeling and kept checking in throughout the rest of the day. There was no awkwardness, no judgment—just genuine care. It was a small moment, but one that revealed so much about his character. Here was a man who leads with compassion, not just in theory but in practice. He could have easily shown me the way to a restroom and let that be it, but he went beyond and showed that he cared.

A Lesson in Humility

As I reflected on that moment, it struck me: Dan Cathy didn’t miss a beat. This is a leader who’s built an empire, who’s met countless influential people, and yet he showed up for me in one of my least glamorous moments. That’s servant leadership. It’s not about grand gestures or public accolades; it’s about being present, empathetic, and willing to roll up your sleeves—or, in this case, offering to help revive you after your breakfast ended up decorating Trilith's landscaping - when someone truly needs it.

Inside S. Truett Cathy's Office: The Heart of Chick-fil-A's legacy.

Leaving Town at Trillith

The morning at Chick-fil-A HQ was a masterclass in leadership and culture, but it was that car ride and the moments afterward that brought it all home. It’s easy to admire someone from a distance, to be inspired by their vision or success. But to see those values in action, in a completely unplanned and unpolished moment? That’s something special.

So, what did I take away from this experience? Leadership isn’t about the title you hold or the size of your empire. It’s about how you show up for your team, your community, and even for someone feeling nauseous in the passenger seat. And if I’ve learned anything from Dan Cathy, it’s that sometimes leadership looks like offering soda water, clearing a table, or simply asking, “How can I help?”

As I left Trilith that day, still a little shaky but deeply moved, I realized this wasn’t just a day of touring HQs or learning about innovative business practices. It was a day that reminded me why I care about leadership in the first place. It’s about people. It’s about kindness. And sometimes, it’s about being okay with a little imperfection along the way.