Chick-fil-A has taken over the fast food industry with their addictive classic chicken sandwich and other chicken recipes. They are also well-known for their extra polite and pleasant service. The fast food franchise is the third largest chain in the United States and is continuing to grow like no other. Despite the chain’s rapid growth and success and their many locations, it’s not easy to open up your own Chick-fil-A franchise. That is why Ashley Lamothe has made Chick-fil-A history by becoming the youngest black owner of a franchise.
If you’re interested in finding out how she accomplished this incredible feat, keep reading on!
Ashley’s Journey
At the young age of 26, Ashley Lamothe became the owner and operator of a Chick-fil-A restaurant. She first started working at the fast food restaurant when she was 15 years old to save up enough money to buy a car. She ended up falling in love with the job and wanted to continue working at Chick-fil-A.
If you’d like to know more about other empowered women, check out Amy Morin And The Secret Of Becoming Mentally Strong.
When she went off to Spelman College, she began working at the location close to campus as a director on the leadership team. At the time, Ashley was pursuing a degree in theater until her restaurant operator asked her to consider a career in leadership. Before that conversation, Ashley had never thought of herself as a leader of something so much bigger than herself. In response to this, she said, “I’d never considered it. Sometimes you just need someone to help you see your potential.”
Newly inspired, she switched her major to economics with the goal of owning her own Chick-fil-A restaurant. Five years after graduating from college, Ashley opened her first restaurant across the street from the University of Southern California. Usually, the company doesn’t allow franchisers to take on more than one location; however, her first location did so well that they made an exception. Her most recently opened restaurant is located in Los Angeles.
Ashley claims that she strives to support her team and assist them in reaching their full potential.
“I want to help them get to where they want to go, whether it’s a career with Chick-fil-A, or studying law or medicine, or anything. I want to help them make that next step, just like so many have done for me.”
Ashley Lamothe
Ashley’s business is taking off. She was awarded the company’s Symbol of Success for her hard work and high sales.
How To Open A Chick-fil-A Franchise
Chick-fil-A franchise ownership is a very selective process. The company receives around 60,000 applications, but only 75 to 80 applicants are chosen each year. With an acceptance rate of 0.13%, you have a higher chance of getting accepted into Harvard than becoming a Chick-fil-A franchisee. To get started as a franchise operator, you must fill out an Expression of Interest form. Next, comes multiple rounds of interviews where, if approved, you will need to go through training for several weeks and pay a $10,000 fee before you can get started. The training consists of accounting, customer service, communications, maintenance, management, and much more.
Many people just starting out in this business lack the proper experience that is necessary to run a restaurant smoothly, which is why there is so much training. Ashley’s knowledge of the ins and outs of the restaurant business that she acquired at a younger age, has given her an advantage and enabled her to recognize the challenges others might miss.
“I spend 95% of my time dealing with people, training people and developing people…It’s hard mental work. And I don’t think a lot of people see it as that. Most people see it as you’re in the restaurant doing physical labor, but there’s a mental component that’s really challenging too.”
Ashley Lamothe
Another reason for this intense and lengthy process is that ultimately, the company is looking for individuals with values that align with theirs.
“To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.”
Chick-fil-A Inc.
They emphasize religious principles, personal excellence, continuous improvement, and teamwork. They also expect potential candidates to give the restaurant their full attention and be actively involved in all aspects of running the business. The company even handles all of the startup costs in exchange for 15 percent of the sales and 50 percent of the remaining pre-tax profit. This way, you won’t have to worry about building fees and struggle to get the restaurant off the ground. A Chick-fil-A operator can expect to make about $200,000 a year.
How She Has Empowered Women
Ashley has used her success as an entrepreneur to empower other women to achieve their business goals. She has traveled around to countries in Europe to spread the word to women about her tips for achieving and maintaining financial stability and business ownership. She also led a Chick-fil-A business retreat for female franchise owners. She serves on the Chick-fil-A Operator Support Council and uses her social media platforms to provide advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Gain work experience at a local restaurant. A lot of people say they want to own a franchise but have never worked in a restaurant. It’s hard, hands-on work and you really have to know what you are getting into.”
Ashley Lamothe
Ashley Lamothe’s hard earned position at Chick-fil-A is inspiring considering the competitive, largely white, male-dominated field she pushed her way into. The challenges that black women face as entrepreneurs, such as racial and gender discrimination are daunting. They leave many black women feeling like the industry is not their place, confining themselves into roles that society has reserved specifically for them.
Ashley is proof that these obstacles can be overcome. Black women are not defined by their limitations. She teaches women that the road to success isn’t a straight shot and that unexpected surprises can pop up anywhere along the way. As a black female entrepreneur, she is creating a community where women of color can feel welcomed and supported and where their dreams can come true.
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