Elevate: Leader in Training

Workstream; Hampton (GA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Chick-fil-A is offering a two-year Leadership Development Director position designed for individuals who aspire to advance into Corporate Staff or become an Operator. This role provides hands‑on experience leading a Chick-fil-A restaurant while developing operational knowledge, leadership capabilities, and people‑development skills for future Chick-fil-A leadership opportunities.

The role is part of the restaurant’s senior leadership team, expected to own restaurant results, and prepare for the

Qualifications

• College degree required for eligibility.
• Two-year leadership development program with future leadership opportunities.
• Strong character, humility, initiative, and responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day restaurant operations and ensure Chick-fil-A standards.
• Serve as a senior leader during high-volume periods.
• Develop understanding of Front of House and Back of House operations.
• Maintain high standards for food safety, quality, cleanliness, speed, accuracy, and hospitality.
• Identify opportunities and implement sustainable systems and solutions.
• Lead through change with clarity and accountability.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

People development

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Leadership Development Director

Two-Year Leadership Development Opportunity

*Not a part-time job. College degree required*

Position Purpose

The Leadership Development Director is a two-year developmental leadership position designed for an individual who desires to pursue future leadership opportunities with Chick-fil-A, Inc., including Corporate Staff or becoming a Chick-fil-A Operator. This role provides hands‑on experience leading a high‑performing Chick-fil-A restaurant while developing the operational knowledge, business acumen, leadership capabilities, and people‑development skills necessary for future leadership opportunities within the Chick-fil-A organization.

The individual will serve as a key member of the restaurant's senior leadership team and will be expected to take meaningful ownership of restaurant results while intentionally preparing for their next career step.

Primary Responsibilities

Restaurant Leadership & Operations

• Lead day-to-day restaurant operations and help ensure consistent execution of Chick-fil-A standards.
• Serve as a senior leader during high-volume and high-pressure periods.
• Develop a strong understanding of both Front of House and Back of House operations.
• Maintain high standards for food safety, food quality, cleanliness, speed, accuracy, and hospitality.
• Identify operational opportunities and implement sustainable systems and solutions.
• Lead through change while creating clarity and accountability for the team.

Business & Financial Stewardship

• Develop a strong understanding of restaurant financial performance and the factors that drive profitability.
• Learn to analyze and influence labor, food cost, productivity, sales, and other key restaurant metrics.
• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, goal setting, and business planning.
• Use restaurant data to identify trends, diagnose problems, and create action plans.
• Understand how daily operational decisions impact the overall financial health of the business.

Talent & Leadership Development

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop Team Members and leaders.
• Build leadership pipelines and succession plans for key restaurant positions.
• Conduct regular coaching conversations and provide clear, actionable feedback.
• Delegate meaningful ownership to developing leaders rather than simply completing tasks personally.
• Create an environment where Team Members feel known, valued, supported, and challenged to grow.
• Identify high-potential talent and create individualized development opportunities.

Customer Experience & Brand Growth

• Champion Chick-fil-A's commitment to remarkable hospitality.
• Analyze customer experience feedback and develop strategies to improve results.
• Help identify opportunities to grow sales and strengthen relationships within the community.
• Participate in marketing, catering, community engagement, and business‑development initiatives.
• Protect the Chick-fil-A brand by ensuring decisions and behaviors consistently reflect its standards and values.

Development Opportunities

Throughout the two-year commitment, the leader should receive intentional exposure to:

• Restaurant financials and business planning
• Labor and food‑cost management
• Talent selection and leadership development
• Customer experience strategy
• Sales and brand growth
• Marketing and community engagement
• Operational systems and process improvement
• Goal setting and performance management
• Strategic decision‑making
• Operator-level leadership responsibilities
• Chick‑fil‑A Corporate Staff and Operator career pathways

Whenever possible, the individual will also have opportunities to network with Chick-fil‑A Operators, Corporate Staff, and other leaders throughout the Chick-fil‑A organization.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has a long‑term desire to pursue leadership within Chick‑fil‑A.
• Is interested in potentially becoming a Chick‑fil‑A Operator or Corporate Staff member.
• Demonstrates strong character, humility, initiative, and personal responsibility.
• Has a passion for developing people and building high‑performing teams.
• Is comfortable receiving feedback and being challenged to grow.
• Can balance relationships with accountability and results.
• Demonstrates strong communication and problem‑solving abilities.
• Is willing to learn every aspect of the restaurant business.
• Think beyond individual tasks and seeks to understand the entire business.
• Is willing to make a two‑year commitment to the restaurant and development process.

Measures of Success

Success in this position will be evaluated through growth and results across Chick‑fil‑A's critical areas of the business, including Leadership, Talent, Customer Experience, Sales & Brand Growth, and Financial Stewardship. The ultimate goal is not simply for the individual to become an excellent restaurant leader. The goal is to develop a leader who can understand the business, develop other leaders, produce sustainable results, protect the Chick‑fil‑A brand, and be prepared to pursue their next leadership opportunity within Chick‑fil‑A.

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.