Leadership Development Program

Chick-fil-A Restaurants; Walnut Hills (TN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible scheduling (and closed on Sun

Free meal on your shift

Competitive pay

Paid time off

Health, dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Job summary

Chick-fil-A East Ridge is seeking a motivated Shift Leader as part of our Roadmap to Leadership program. You will supervise daily operations, train teammates, and model hospitality while advancing through progressive leadership roles.

This in-restaurant program offers mentorship, hands-on development, and opportunities to pursue future leadership positions within Chick-fil-A. Strong communication and teamwork are essential; weekend and flexible scheduling are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Experience in fast-paced service environment preferred.
• Strong communication and people skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations opening or closing, with daily tasks and checklists.
• Participate in high-volume restaurant operations.
• Set tone for team, model Chick-fil-A values and customer care.
• Pursue and fulfill Corporate Purpose alignment.
• Observe and uphold East Ridge Core Values and Policies.
• Be an active leader and coach at all times.
• Maintain a positive environment and high standards.
• Ensure team accountability and performance management.
• Control shift schedules and ensure coverage.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Customer service

Communication

Stamina

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Are you passionate about service, leadership, and making a meaningful impact in your community? Are you looking to launch your career in business leadership, management, or ownership? At Chick-fil-A East Ridge, our Roadmap to Leadership is designed to help you advance your career in leadership, business management, and people management.

As a leader at Chick-fil-A, you will gain valuable experience in entrepreneurship, interpersonal relations, and management of a multi-generational workforce. You will learn the business as our founder, S. Truett Cathy did, starting as a Team Member working the register or the grill. From there, following our Roadmap to trainer and leader, you will learn to execute high level business operations while never losing sight of the importance of serving our guests with excellence on every visit.

Chick-fil-A East Ridge's Roadmap to Leadership is an immersive in-restaurant development program designed to equip you with the skills, experience, and character needed to grow into leadership roles. Whether you're exploring a career in restaurant management or pursuing long-term opportunities with Chick-fil-A, this program offers hands-on training, personal mentorship and coaching, and real responsibility in a fast-paced, team-centered environment. For those who demonstrate exceptional leadership and alignment with Chick-fil-A's mission, the Pathway to Leadership can serve as a stepping stone toward candidacy for Chick-fil-A's Leadership Development Program and a chance to be a future Chick-fil-A Operator.

Position Type:

• Full-time with Open Availability (opening and closing shifts)
• Best suited for recent college graduates or young professionals looking to grow their leadership skills, business acumen, and interpersonal relations.

Our Benefits Include:

• A fun work environment where you can positively influence others
• Flexible scheduling (and closed on Sundays)
• Learning first-hand from an experienced Operator and Restaurant Leaders
• Intentional career and personal development to help you reach your professional goals
• Scholarship opportunities
• Free meal on your shift
• Competitive pay
• Paid time off
• Insurance Benefits including health, dental and vision
• 401(k) matching

Shift Leader Responsibilities:

• Lead daily operations either opening or closing, including all daily tasks, checklists, and accountability.
• Participate operationally in day-to-day activities in a high-volume, fast-paced restaurant.
• Be the standard for our Team Members - set the tone in how you act, what you say, and how you Win the Hearts of our guests and team.
• Pursue after and fulfill Chick-fil-A's Corporate Purpose.
• Observe and align with Chick-fil-A East Ridge's Core Values.
• Observe and align with all Chick-fil-A East Ridge Policies and Procedures.
• Be an active leader and coach at all times in the restaurant.
• Remain insatiably positive around the team.
• Hold to all of our Character, Competency, and Team & Influence Standards.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong people skills with a desire to serve Team Members and Guests
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong commitment to superior customer service
• Ability to manage Team Member behavioral and performance issues
• Ability to work in a team environment with shared ownership and responsibility
• Must be able to meet the physical demands of the position which includes (but not limited to) standing for 9 hours and lifting 50lbs.
• Demonstrated leadership skills through previous work experience, education, and/or personal and professional references.

Training Plan:

Written in terms of timeline, but each promotion is performance based. The timeline is flexible depending on performance.

• 0-4 months: serve as a team member getting to know the restaurant and the other team members. Complete all initial training and learn correct procedures.
• 4-8 months: serve as a trainer, coaching new team members on the right processes, procedures, and behaviors.
• 8-12 months: serve as a team leader, learning leadership behaviors and assisting the shift leaders with daily operations.
• 12+ months: serve as a shift leader, leading operations for the restaurant daily while leading, teaching, and coaching your team to serve guests and meet goals.

Career Opportunities:

• Continue leading the team at Chick-fil-A East Ridge as a shift leader.
• Pursue advancement to the director team at Chick-fil-A East Ridge, taking ownership of a specific area of the business.
• Apply with Chick-fil-A Corporate to be a grand opening trainer at new Chick-fil-A's around the country.
• Apply with Chick-fil-A Corporate to join their Leadership Development Program, where candidates are taught how to open Chick-fil-A's and lead teams around the country. The goal of this program, for eligible candidates, is to own and operate their own Chick-fil-A.
• We will provide any recommendations or references for other, non-Chick-fil-A positions that you wish to pursue to further your career.

Personal Growth Opportunities:

• Monthly 1-1's with our leadership team
• A tailored plan for your personal and career development
• Monthly leadership meetings
• Ownership of an area of the business
• Peer review and coaching feedback

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

Customer service: 1 year (Preferred)

Leadership: 1 year (Preferred)

Work schedule:

• Up to a 10 hour shift
• Weekend availability
• Day shift
• Night shift
• Overtime
• Holidays

Most Chick-fil-A® Restaurants are operated by independent franchised business owners who make all their own employment decisions and are responsible for their own

content and policies.

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.