Which $10 billion franchise is predicted to challenge Starbucks in the fast-food experience?
If you think Chick-fil-A, Mark Kalinowski of Kalinowski Equity Research agrees. “Can they reach $30 billion? I think that’s a realistic goal if you give them enough time,” Kalinowski told Business Insider. Starbucks, with $20.49 billion, is in second place to McDonald’s $38.52 billion No. 1 spot.
Three good reasons
According to Business Insider’s, Steven John, there are three reasons Chick-fil-A is so successful.
- Management is hands-on — no need to apply for a franchise if you’re looking for a passive investment, want a specified location, and you are seeking a multi-unit franchise. You’ve got to be committed.
- Care about employees — the Chick-fil-A “culture of caring” impacts the employee AND customer experience.
- Commitment to quality food — Chick-fil-A removed all trans fats, is committed to antibiotic-free meats, and has food scientists, dietitians, and chefs working together in their Innovation Center.
High-performance leadership
As Vice-President of High-Performance Leadership, Mark Miller studies the best practices of successful companies. He is responsible for helping Chick-fil-A’s leadership team and restaurant owners build high-performance organizations.
Over the past several years, Miller and his team have studied the Navy Seals, the best retailers in the world, and a World Champion America’s Cup sailing team. They wanted to identify the practices of high-performance companies. They discovered four commitments high performing teams have in common.
In an interview with Donald Miller, Mark Miller shared the four “pillars of success” that guide Chick-fil-A, and their operators. High-performance organizations:
- Bet on leadership — “We can’t find a high-performance organization in the world that’s not well-led. They’re purposeful, thoughtful, strategic about growing leaders.”
- Act as one — there is alignment, clarity, and focus around something … mission, strategy, values, purpose.
- Win the heart — the culture creates high levels of employee engagement.
- Excel at execution — quality leadership, alignment, and engagement make it possible to execute at a high level.
Miller tells the story of one leader’s response to the common commitments of high-performing companies.
“All I care about is execution,” the leader blurted out.
“Well, good luck with that,” Miller responded, “that’s like the gymnast that says, ‘I just want to do the dismount.’ Where do you think they get the height, the energy, and the momentum to stick the landing? It’s in the routine that precedes the dismount.”
Miller continued, “So for organizations that consistently execute at the highest level, where do (they) get the height, the energy and the momentum to execute? It’s in the routine leadership, alignment, and engagement that precedes the dismount.”
Create Space to Think
According to Nation’s Restaurant News, 2019: Top 200 Countdown, Chick-fil-A leap-frogged from being seventh to the third-largest restaurant chain in America … in just one year.
What can you learn from Chick-fil-A’s Story?
How do you rate your company’s commitment to the four commitments of high-performance teams?
1 – Barely a thought, 2 – We talk about it, 3 – We’re working on it, 4 – We’re committed
- We are committed to growing our leaders; we believe the business of business is people.
- We are aligned and focused, we provide clarity to act through an intentional alignment of purpose, structure, and a definition of winning.
- We have high levels of employee engagement; our people feel empowered and appreciated.
- We excel at execution because of quality leadership, alignment, and engagement of our organization.
How’d you do? What’s your next step?
What if you could have a guide (me) to help you and your team master effective leadership?
How will you take your team to your next level of performance?
Click here for more information.
Here’s to your high-performance team.
Steve
PS: To watch Don Miller’s brief interview of Chick-fil-A’s V. P. of High-Performance Leadership click here.
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