Staffing

Chick-fil-A names new CEO

Provided

September 17, 2021

Andrew Truett Cathy will take the reigns as CEO of Chick-fil-A in November, the chain announced Thursday.

Cathy has been executive vice president of operations since 2019 and is the son of current CEO Dan T. Cathy. Dan Cathy will remain chairman of the board, and Tim Tassopolous will continue as president and COO, according to a press release.

"The most successful CEO transitions are made when the next leader is ready to lead. I have every confidence Andrew is ready," Dan Cathy said in the release. "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."

Andrew Cathy will be the third member of the Cathy family to lead Chick-fil-A, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, founder S. Truett Cathy. During Dan Cathy's tenure, annual revenue has grown from $1 billion to $16 billion.

"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," Cathy said in the release. "I look forward to continuing to work closely with our great operators 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."