S. Truett Cathy

S. Truett Cathy – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

S. Truett Cathy (1921–2014) was the American entrepreneur behind Chick-fil-A, a devout Christian, and philanthropist. Explore his life, business principles, legacy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Samuel Truett Cathy, better known as S. Truett Cathy, was a self-made businessman, restaurateur, and philanthropist whose faith, integrity, and commitment to people shaped one of America’s most distinctive fast-food enterprises: Chick-fil-A. Born March 14, 1921, and passing away September 8, 2014, Cathy's life story represents the intersection of faith, entrepreneurship, and service. His belief that business should be more than profit—and that character matters—continues to influence leaders and companies around the world.

Early Life and Family

S. Truett Cathy was born in Eatonton, Georgia, to Lilla James (née Kimball) and Joseph Benjamin Cathy. His upbringing in rural Georgia taught him resilience, frugality, and the value of hard work.

He attended Boys High School in Atlanta.

Marriage and family life were central to Cathy’s identity. He married Jeannette McNeil, and together they had three children: Trudy, Dan, and “Bubba” (Donald).

Youth, Values & Spiritual Formation

Though Cathy lacked formal higher education, he was an avid reader and lifelong learner. He credited Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich as one of his early inspirations. Bible was his guidebook for life and that personal character and values should undergird business decisions.

Cathy’s sense of mission was deeply rooted: he saw business not just as profit-making but as a platform for serving others. That conviction emerged from his own life experiences—including times of poverty and hardship.

Career and Business Achievements

The Dwarf Grill / Beginnings of Chick-fil-A

In 1946, Cathy and his brother Ben launched their first restaurant, the Dwarf Grill, in Hapeville, Georgia. Chick-fil-A.

By the 1960s, Cathy moved toward a model of opening standalone Chick-fil-A locations (rather than licensing their product) to retain greater control over quality and values. The first such location opened in 1967 in the Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta.

Business Philosophy & Practices

Cathy believed in putting people before profits.

One of his most visible decisions—rooted in conviction—was to close all Chick-fil-A stores on Sundays. He insisted that one day be reserved for rest, family, worship, or reflection.

Cathy remained hands-on in leadership, always emphasizing that employees, culture, and community mattered. He also created scholarship programs for employees and founded the WinShape Foundation (in 1984) to support youth development, foster care, and community initiatives.

He also authored several books, including:

• Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People

• It’s Easier to Succeed Than to Fail

• It’s Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men

• How Did You Do It, Truett?

• Wealth, Is It Worth It?

Later Years & Succession

In November 2013, Cathy retired as chairman and CEO, handing over leadership to his son Dan Cathy.

Cathy passed away on September 8, 2014, of complications related to diabetes, at age 93.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Post-War Entrepreneurship: Cathy’s business started in the post–World War II era, during a time of rapid growth, suburbanization, and changing consumer habits in the U.S.

• Fast-Food Era & Differentiation: At a time when burgers and fast fare dominated, Cathy carved a niche in chicken sandwiches—eventually becoming a leader in that space.

• Faith-Driven Corporate Identity: His decision to close on Sundays and tie business practices to Christian values was countercultural in a hyper-competitive industry, yet became part of Chick-fil-A’s brand identity.

• Philanthropy & Social Investment: Through the WinShape Foundation and numerous community programs, Cathy extended his influence well beyond business into education, youth, and social capital.

• Influence in Leader Circles: Cathy was respected not only within business but in faith communities and leadership networks. Upon his passing, prominent Christian leaders (e.g. Rick Warren) lauded him for “living his faith.”

• Succession without Going Public: Cathy never took Chick-fil-A public. He maintained private ownership to preserve mission and values.

Legacy and Influence

S. Truett Cathy’s legacy is multifaceted:

• Corporate DNA of Chick-fil-A: His values—service, integrity, people-first philosophy—remain deeply embedded in Chick-fil-A’s culture and operations.

• Model of Faith in Business: Many Christian business leaders cite him as a model of integrating faith and commerce in a winsome, principled way.

• Impact on Lives: Through scholarships, foster care, youth programs, and community engagement, his philanthropic initiatives have touched countless lives.

• Leadership Influence: His writings, speeches, and example continue to be studied in leadership, business, and ethics programs.

• Brand Recognition & Cultural Significance: In the U.S., Chick-fil-A is among the most recognized fast-food brands; part of that strength lies in its identity and story rooted in Cathy’s vision.

• Enduring Quotes & Teachings: His sayings and principles circulate widely in business, church, and motivational contexts.

Personality, Character & Leadership Traits

• Deep Integrity & Principle: He refused shortcuts, even when costly, believing that long-term faithfulness matters more than short-term gain.

• Servant Leadership: Cathy saw leadership as service—to customers, employees, communities—not mere authority.

• Humble & Relational: Despite his success, he taught Sunday school, welcomed guests, and remained accessible.

• Resilient: From financial hardship, personal loss (his brother died in a plane crash), and business challenges, Cathy persevered.

• Visionary but Grounded: Though ambitious, he emphasized principles, small acts of service, continuous improvement (“be better before getting bigger”).

• Faith-Centered: His decisions were guided by his Christian worldview, which he did not compartmentalize but allowed to shape business, family, and philanthropy.

Famous Quotes of S. Truett Cathy

Here are some of his well-known quotations that exemplify his worldview and leadership:

“Nearly every moment of every day, we have the opportunity to give something to someone else — our time, our love, our resources.”

“Put people before profits.” (often paraphrased)

“We live in a changing world, but we need to be reminded that the important things have not changed, and the important things will not change if we keep our priorities in proper order.”

“If you’re excited about what you’re doing, it’s a lot more likely that your employees will also be excited. People want to work for a person, not a company. It’s about relationships.”

“No amount of business school training or working experience can teach what is ultimately a matter of personal character. Businesses are not dishonest or greedy, people are. Thus, a business, successful or not, is merely a reflection of the character of its leadership.”

“Our decision to close on Sunday was our way of honoring God and of directing our attention to things that mattered more than our business.”

“I struggled to get through high school. I didn’t get to go to college. But it made me realize you can do anything if you want it badly enough.”

“If it takes seven days to make a living, you ought to be doing something else.”

These words reflect his convictions about giving, purpose, character, faith, and resilience.

Lessons from S. Truett Cathy

1. Business can be a platform for serving others
   Cathy showed that aligning purpose and profit is possible when guided by principles.

2. Character over credentials
   Without formal college education, he built a lasting legacy through integrity, consistency, and perseverance.

3. Faith as compass, not compartment
   His Christian convictions permeated his decisions, not as an afterthought but as foundational.

4. Long-term thinking and restraint
   The decision to remain privately held and close on Sundays sacrificed some growth but preserved mission.

5. Leadership is relational
   People work for people; authentic relationships and care matter deeply in any organization.

6. Legacy comes through impact, not just scale
   Cathy invested in people—employees, youth, community—not only in buildings and numbers.

Conclusion

S. Truett Cathy’s life is an enduring example of how faith, integrity, and compassion can shape business in deeply human and lasting ways. He built more than a restaurant chain—he built a culture, a mission, and a legacy of service. His words, principles, and example continue to influence leaders, entrepreneurs, and communities worldwide.

If you’d like, I can also share a deeper analysis of one of his books (e.g. It’s Easier to Succeed Than to Fail) or a curated set of leadership lessons inspired by him. Would you like me to do that now?