S. Truett Cathy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
S. Truett Cathy
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Cathy on August 28, 2004
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| Born |
Samuel Truett Cathy
March 14, 1921 Eatonton, Georgia, U.S.
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| Died | September 8, 2014 (aged 93) Clayton County, Georgia, U.S.
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| Education | Henry W. Grady High School |
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Jeannette McNeil Cathy
(m. 1948) |
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Samuel Truett Cathy (March 14, 1921 – September 8, 2014) was an American businessman who created the popular fast food restaurant chain Chick-fil-A. He was also an investor, author, and someone who gave a lot to charity. He started Chick-fil-A in 1946.
Early Life and First Restaurant
Truett Cathy was born on March 14, 1921, in Eatonton, Georgia. His parents were Lilla James and Joseph Benjamin Cathy. He went to Boys High School in Atlanta, which is now called Midtown High School.
During World War II, Cathy served in the United States Army. After the war, he opened his first restaurant in 1946. It was in Hapeville, a suburb of Atlanta. He called it the Dwarf Grill because it was very small.
The Famous Chicken Sandwich
At the Dwarf Grill, Truett and his brother Ben worked together. They created a special chicken sandwich. This sandwich later became the most famous item at Chick-fil-A.
The original Dwarf Grill is still open today. It is now known as the Dwarf House. The company also runs other Dwarf House restaurants in the Atlanta area. Truett Cathy married Jeannette McNeil. They had three children: Trudy, Don, and Dan.
Building the Chick-fil-A Business
Truett Cathy was a very religious person. He was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Georgia. He taught Sunday School there for over 50 years. He often said that the Bible was his guide for life.
Why Chick-fil-A is Closed on Sundays
Because of his strong religious beliefs, all Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Sundays. This includes both company-owned and franchised locations. This policy allows employees to go to church and spend time with their families. Truett Cathy started this rule when he was working six days a week. He decided to close on Sundays to rest and focus on his faith.
Truett Cathy's Books
Truett Cathy wrote several books. His autobiography was called Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People. He also wrote a book about success, It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail. Another book focused on parenting, It's Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men. He shared his business secrets in How Did You Do It, Truett?. His last book was about money, titled Wealth, Is It Worth It?.
He also helped write other books. He said that the motivational book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill was a big inspiration for him.
Retirement and Legacy
In April 2008, Truett Cathy opened a new restaurant called Upscale Pizza in Fayetteville, Georgia. In November 2013, he retired from Chick-fil-A. He stepped down as both chairman and CEO. His son, Dan Cathy, took over these important roles.
Truett Cathy's Death
S. Truett Cathy passed away at his home on September 8, 2014. He was 93 years old. He died from problems related to diabetes.
His family held a public funeral service for him. It took place on September 10 at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Georgia. He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Atlanta. His wife, Jeannette Cathy, passed away in 2015.
Giving Back: Philanthropy
Truett Cathy was very involved in charity work. He helped sponsor the college football bowl game now known as the Chick-fil-A Bowl. This game was previously called the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and simply the Peach Bowl.
In 2006, Cathy received the last Ford Taurus car made at Ford's Atlanta plant. This was to honor his 60-year relationship with the plant. The plant was near his first restaurant, the Dwarf Grill. Truett often served food to the workers there.
Scholarships and Foundations
Cathy created a Leadership Scholarship program for Chick-fil-A employees. This program has given out over $23 million in scholarships. Each scholarship was for $1,000.
In 1984, he started the WinShape Foundation. The name "WinShape" comes from its goal to "shape winners." Truett Cathy also fostered children for more than 30 years. In 2008, he received the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership for his charitable work.
Awards and Recognitions
Truett Cathy received many awards and honors. He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society. He received their highest award in 2009.
He also received the Norman Vincent Peale and Ruth Stafford Peale Humanitarian Award. Other honors included the Horatio Alger Award and the Boy Scouts of America Silver Buffalo Award. In 2003, Cathy was added to the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame.
Presidential Recognition
In 2008, President George W. Bush gave Truett Cathy the President's Call to Service Award. This award recognized his lifetime of volunteer work.
In 2011, Cathy was honored by Indiana Wesleyan University. He received an honorary doctorate degree in business. In 2012, he received another honorary doctorate from Liberty University. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was also honored at the same ceremony. Romney joked about how much he loved Chick-fil-A sandwiches during his campaign.
In 1997, he received an honorary degree from Oglethorpe University. In 2013, he was named a Georgia Trustee. This honor is given to people whose actions reflect the ideals of Georgia's founders.
Publications
- Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People
- It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail
- It's Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men
- How Did You Do It, Truett?
- Wealth, Is It Worth It?
