S. Truett Cathy

Samuel Truett Cathy
Samuel Truett Cathy
Born	Template:Birth date; Eatonton, Georgia, U.S.
Died	September 8, 2014 (aged 93); Jonesboro, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, investor, writer, philanthropist
Known for	Founder of Chick-fil-A
Notable work	Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People; It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail; How Did You Do It, Truett?; Generosity Factor (with Ken Blanchard)

Samuel Truett Cathy (March 14, 1921 – September 8, 2014) was a prominent American entrepreneur, investor, writer, and philanthropist, best known for establishing the fast-food enterprise Chick-fil-A in 1946.

Early life

Born in Eatonton, Georgia to Lilla James (née Kimball) and Joseph Benjamin Cathy, Cathy completed his education at Boys High School in Atlanta. He also served in the United States Army during the period of World War II.

Career

In 1946, Cathy initiated the Chick-fil-A brand by opening the Dwarf Grill in the Atlanta suburb of Hapeville. There, alongside his brother Ben, he created the chicken sandwich that would become Chick-fil-A’s hallmark item. Between 1964 and 1967, this sandwich was licensed to more than fifty restaurants, including establishments such as Waffle House and concession stands at Houston's Astrodome. The sandwich was subsequently removed from these venues when the first independent Chick-fil-A restaurant debuted in 1967 at Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta.

In April 2008, Cathy expanded his ventures by launching Upscale Pizza in Fayetteville, Georgia. He stepped down as chairman and CEO of Chick-fil-A in November 2013, passing leadership responsibilities to his son, Dan Cathy.

Personal life

Cathy was married to Jeannette McNeil, with whom he had three children: Trudy, "Bubba" (Don), and Dan.

Ministry

For over five decades, Cathy dedicated himself to teaching Sunday school classes for teenagers at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Georgia.

Beliefs

Guided by his deep religious convictions, Cathy considered the Bible to be his fundamental life manual. Reflecting these principles, every Chick-fil-A location—whether company-operated or franchised—remains closed on Sundays to provide employees with time for worship and family. This tradition began when Cathy chose to close on Sundays despite working six days a week himself.

Books

Cathy authored five books including his memoir Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People, the motivational work It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail, and the business-oriented How Did You Do It, Truett?. He also collaborated with Ken Blanchard on Generosity Factor. His publications focus on themes such as leadership, entrepreneurial success, and personal growth. Multiple counties in Georgia have honored him by naming roads after him. Cathy acknowledged Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich as a significant influence.

Philanthropy

Cathy was instrumental in sponsoring college football events like the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (1997–2005, 2014–present) and the Chick-fil-A Bowl (2006–2013). In recognition of a six-decade relationship with Ford, he received the final Taurus produced at their Atlanta facility in 2006.

Over a span of 35 years, his Leadership Scholarship initiative has granted more than $23 million in $1,000 scholarships to Chick-fil-A team members. In 1984, he founded the WinShape Foundation aimed at supporting youth development programs. Additionally, he fostered children for over thirty years and was honored with the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership in 2008.

Death

Cathy passed away at his residence on September 8, 2014, at age 93 due to complications related to diabetes. A public memorial service took place on September 10 at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Georgia. He was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery. His wife Jeannette died in 2015 at the age of 92.

Honors and memberships

Cathy was the recipient of a variety of distinguished honors, notably including induction into Omicron Delta Kappa (ΟΔΚ), the National Leadership Honor Society, where he earned the organization's highest distinction, the Laurel Crowned Circle Award, in 2009. His accolades also encompass the Norman Vincent and Ruth Stafford Peale Humanitarian Award, the Horatio Alger Award, the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership, as well as the Boy Scouts of America Silver Buffalo Award. In 2003, he was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame.

He maintained memberships in the fraternities Pi Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Pi.

In 2007, Forbes placed Cathy at number 380 among the wealthiest Americans and 799th worldwide, estimating his fortune at approximately $1.2 billion.

President George W. Bush honored him with the President's Call to Service Award in 2008.

In recognition of his contributions reflecting foundational values, Cathy was designated a Georgia Trustee in 2013 by the Georgia Historical Society and the Governor of Georgia.

Honorary doctorates

Cathy was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Oglethorpe University in 1997. Later, in 2011, he was inducted into the Indiana Wesleyan University Society of World Changers and received an honorary doctorate in business from the same institution. At the commencement ceremony of Liberty University in May 2012, he was granted another honorary doctorate alongside presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who acknowledged Chick-fil-A's influence during that election cycle.

Publications

External links