And So It Begins

About 5 years ago, the summer before my husband's senior year of college, he decided that one day he wanted to own a Chick-fil-A. We were already married at this point and I told him that I didn't care what he did as long as it made him happy. I did, however; want to be sure that he was not about to change his major in college and tack on a few more years of schooling. He assured me that once he graduated he was done.

You must understand that there was some irony in his wanting to own a Chick-fil-A. Only two years prior to this decision, he said that a fast food restaurant was the last place on earth he ever wanted to work. He did need a job though and our good friend Mallory had been working at Chick-fil-A for years. He begrudgingly applied and took the job as a kitchen worker at Chick-fil-A. Over the next two years, he fell in love with the company. After much talk from his operator, Dave, Justin decided that being an owner/operator for Chick-fil-A was exactly what he wanted to do.

After Justin graduated college, we were both ready to move back home to Houston. It still amazes me how God can work out every little detail perfectly when we are following his plan. It just so happened that the week after Justin graduated college, a brand new CFA would be opening only eight miles from the city where we both grew up and the operator was looking to hire managers with CFA experience. With a phone call from Dave recommending Justin, and a phone interview between Justin and the new operator Ron, everything was put into motion. We moved back home to Houston, Justin started a new job that he loved, and he shared his intention to become an operator with Ron.

Ron mentored Justin on all of the financial aspects of the business, Dave showed him how to value the guests, but, both taught him valuable knowledge that has brought him to where he is today. After two years of going through the motions and interviewing on multiple levels, Justin has entered into the Interim Manager Program with Chic-fil-A. Not only has he begun the program, but he is one of only three people to have ever skipped over the first section of the program due to knowledge and interview skills.

After three weeks of what felt like a whirl wind, God once again intervened and took care of everything! Our house rented, all of our belongings sold, and we were able to get everything pulled together and head out to Justin's first assignment. As of last night, we are located in Youngstown, Ohio. And so it begins.

Justin with his new ride.

                                                           

Family Photo

                                                                   

Our new home for the next two months.