The Spark Leadership Development Program

The Chick-fil-A Vicksburg Spark Leadership Development Program selects candidates with 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 graduates 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 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.

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 the 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 a 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

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 the 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 our 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.

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 our Operator Nick Jones with other leaders

• Personal development plan including developing a personal playbook & quarterly progress meetings & professional coaching

• Monthly Core/Restaurant Leadership Meetings & Store Meetings

• Book assignments as given by the 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 Toastmasters group

• Personal finance enrichment through Dave Ramsey class or similar

• ServSafe Certification (if applicable)

• Access to StrengthsFinder 2.0 Assessment

• Building a professional portfolio

• Interview coaching & exposure to Chick-fil-A, Inc. Human Resources department based on readiness

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 a 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