My pleasure. It's part of the entire plan to be known as the most caring company in the world. Phillip Brunner, Owner/Operator of the Chick-fil-A in Edwardsville provided a warm welcome to Gateway CEO students last week. For breakfast. Did you know that Chick-fil-A offers so much goodness in the morning? Our Seniors enjoyed Chick-n-Minis, hash browns, and Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits - spicy or regular. Don't forget the coffee options with a sample of their special frozen coffee as they headed to class!

Phillip spent time sharing highlights of Chick-fil-A history, Phillip's path to Owner/Operator and how specific principles guide the corporate level and his store each day. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Truett Cathy - Began his first business selling Coca-cola in bottle during hot Atlanta summers as he collected ice chips from the local ice man. His love for entrepreneurship and strong work ethic placed him and his brother as owner of Drawf Grill just outside of the Atlanta/Delta airlines and Ford Motor Company plant. He learned the need for food served FAST. When a connection from Tyson foods and a pressure cooker gave opportunity for chicken sandwiches - ready fast - Chick-fil-A was eventually born!
- The early days of Chick-fil-A started with the malls in the 60s and the food courts that would keep patrons shopping longer! The first stand alone restaurant was built in 1986 with now almost 3000 locations strong.
- Phillip Bruner started life with plans to do music and landed in music ministry and the administration side of a church, then to full time music ministry until God said - we are going a different path. A mentee shared with Phillip maybe he should TRY Chick-fil-A and the rest is history. From making Chick-n-Minis and dumping fries to Owner/Operator, the story is wrapped in hard work, humbleness, integrity, and the mission for his staff and employees to 'Do Good Together'.
- While Chick-fil-A is not a Christian company, it has been established on Christian principles. Their goal is to be the Most Caring Company in the world and that requires intention in the business practices. They will always be closed on Sundays. It's simply a day of rest. They believe in serving a quality product - FAST - and showing kindness to every person that visits them daily. Their revenue numbers reflect strength being just third in fast food behind McDonalds and Starbucks with a fraction of those locations.
- Phillip believes in a bottom up plan where ultimately his team members have discretion to take care of their guests in the best way possible each day. Asking how are you doing and also having the power to give their customers they BEST service possible that day - no matter what that looks like. It's a giving restaurant with a giving heart, that also sells really good chicken.

Thank you to Phillip and the lovely Geneva for serving our Seniors and sending them out the door with a taste of 'Doing Good Together'. Your generosity of gift cards for each student and a friend to share life together is SO appreciated. Thanks for being awesome.