Spark Leadership Development Program

The Chick-fil-A Vicksburg Spark Leadership Development Program (Spark website) selects candidates who have a solid foundation of strong self-awareness, Chick-fil-A Core Values and a deep understanding of the Chick-fil-A business from which we build the best and brightest culture of leadership development for tomorrow’s Chick-fil-A restaurants. We firmly believe in learning to lead yourself before learning to lead others and learning to lead others before learning to lead our business. We want to help you do that.

During their time in our program, our Spark Leadership Development program members have had the unique opportunity to build a strong foundation of management skills and leadership character which can be applied both personally and professionally.

Some of our graduates entered the program with a desire to pursue a career outside of food service, but they made this two-year leadership investment to enhance those future opportunities. Others decide to build a career with Chick-fil-A, either at the restaurant level or at our Chick-fil-A Support Center in Atlanta, and use this leadership development program as the beginning of those pursuits. Regardless of the chosen path, the leadership character that is built on a personal level will have a life-changing impact.

We seek candidates for our Spark Leadership Development Program with the following qualities:

Minimum Requirements:

• Willingness to commit 2-3 years of employment and development to our organization
• Strong leadership ability & a commitment to growth and development of self
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and on multiple initiatives at the same time
• Demonstrates the importance of Chick-fil-A’s Corporate Purpose: To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive impact on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A
• Embodies the Chick-fil-A Vicksburg Core Values: Commitment to Excellence, Integrity, Others First, Fun, Stewardship, and Working Together

Additional Requirements if pursuing a career with Chick-fil-A (need one of the following):

• Four-year college degree along with willingness to commit 2-3 years of employment and development to our organization
• Two years of full-time leadership experience and willingness to commit 3 years of employment and development to our organization
• Three years of full-time leadership experience and willingness to commit 2 years of employment and development to our organization
• Willingness to commit 5 years of employment and development at Chick-fil-A Vicksburg

As a candidate in the Spark Leadership Development Program, what will I do?

Depending on your experience and skill level, you will be placed in an operational leadership position in our store. During your time with our organization, we will ensure that you receive training and opportunities to learn and lead a variety of roles, responsibilities, and positions.

There is no pre-determined “timeline” for this process as movement in our organization depends on our organization’s needs AND your skill level, desire, and capacity for growth. Candidates are challenged but not overwhelmed and receive regular feedback and coaching from Directors, Managers and/or Owner/Operator, Nicholas Jones.

Candidates learn real operational and leadership skills in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. As a candidate in our Leadership Development Program, you are held accountable alongside our long-term leaders for ensuring that our organization continues to grow and function at the highest level possible while being coached and praised for our stores’ successes.

Will I only work in the store?

While the majority of your development and growth will come in the form of real-life experience managing our store and leading our team, you will receive additional leadership development. This development can include but is not limited to:

• Quarterly one-on-one coaching sessions with our Operator Nick Jones to track your progress, discuss ways to enhance your Chick-fil-A experience, and focus on personal & professional development
• Quarterly group development sessions led by Operator Nick Jones with other Propel leaders
• Personal development plan including developing a personal playbook & quarterly progress meetings & professional coaching
• Monthly Restaurant Leadership Meetings & Store Meetings
• Book assignments given by Operator and/or Leaders
• Chick-fil-A, Inc. Support Center Visits
• Visiting other Chick-fil-A stores to learn how other organizations operate
• Attendance to 1-2 conferences led by Chick-fil-A or other leadership organizations
• Mentoring developing leaders
• Attending Chick-fil-A Grand Openings
• Joining a Toastmaster group
• Personal finance enrichment through Dave Ramsey class or similar
• ServSafe Certification (if applicable)
• Access to StrengthsFinder 2.0, ColorCode, Myers-Briggs, and/or Enneagram Assessments
• Building a professional portfolio
• Interview coaching & exposure to Chick-fil-A, Inc. Human Resources department based on readiness

What can I expect to learn?

The Leadership Development Program sets you up to learn everything you need to know and more as a future Operator or Support Center Staff Member. During your time in our organization you can expect to gain full understanding of the following skills & attributes:

• Team Member Foundation phase
• Importance of daily huddles and communication
• Creation and execution of set-ups and checklists (if not already mastered)
• Identify and solve real problems
• Lead your team through actions
• Basics of running a catering business
• Balance our Strategic Anchors of Customer Experience, Team Member Experience and Business Results
• Food safety and quality assurance as determined by CFA, Inc.
• Run an effective meeting
• Track and improve CEM scores
• Interpersonal relationship skills
• Develop emerging leaders
• Business analysis and acumen through monthly business meetings reviewing the FCR with Operator
• Identify, recruit and train new talent
• InForm
• Manage and measure work/delegation
• Drive for results
• Think quickly and strategically on your feet
• Foster innovation
• Provide current, direct, complete, and actionable positive and corrective feedback to others

REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to commit 2-3 years of employment and development to our organization
• Strong leadership ability & a commitment to growth and development of self
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and on multiple initiatives at the same time
• Demonstrates the importance of Chick-fil-A’s Corporate Purpose
• Embodies Chick-fil-A Vicksburg Core Values of Commitment to Excellence, Integrity, Others First, Fun, Stewardship, and Working Together
• Must be eligible to work in the United States
• Must have a source of reliable transportation
• 40-50 hours of work per week
• Work between the hours of 5:00 am-11:30 pm
• Availability Monday thru Saturday

We are Chick-fil-A

Most Chick-fil-A restaurant businesses are locally owned and operated by entrepreneurial, franchised Operators. A range of Team Member opportunities exist at each restaurant, including front-of-house, back-of-house and leadership roles. Explore all the reasons why working at your local Chick-fil-A is a place to work hard, have fun and make an impact.

Working at a Chick-fil-A® restaurant is more than a job – it’s an opportunity for teamwork and leadership development in a positive, people-focused environment. Most Chick-fil-A restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent, franchised Operators who invest in the future of their Team Members and give back to their communities. Read below about what makes working at a Chick-fil-A restaurant unique, and then find a Chick-fil-A restaurant near you that is hiring and fill out a job application today.

We aren’t just in the business of chicken, we’re in the business of people

• Each restaurant culture is unique to the Operator and local community, and Operators are committed to creating a positive environment where all Team Members are valued and respected.

We’re closed every Sunday

• No matter which restaurant you apply to work for, Chick-fil-A restaurants remain closed on Sundays to allow our restaurant Operators and their Team Members to rest or worship if they choose.

Why we're closed on Sundays

• Our founder, Truett Cathy, made the decision to close on Sundays in 1946 when he opened his first restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia. Having worked seven days a week in restaurants open 24 hours, Truett saw the importance of closing on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest and worship if they choose — a practice we uphold today.
• Most Chick-fil-A® restaurants operate between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with breakfast served from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch and dinner served from 10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

We offer college scholarship opportunities and tuition discounts

• Eligible Team Members can apply to receive a Remarkable Futures™ Scholarship from Chick-fil-A, Inc. – up to $25,000! – as well as receive tuition discounts at over 100 universities across the U.S.

We help make a difference in your communities

• Operators look for meaningful ways to serve their local communities, so Team Members have the opportunity to make an impact beyond the restaurant.

https://www.chick-fil-a.com/careers/