In 1963 the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich was invented. In 1977 their freshly squeezed Chick-fil-A Lemonade was introduced. In 1982 Chick-fil-A was the first chain to sell nuggets nationally. In 2008 the President and Chief Operating Officer of Chick-fil-A, Inc., Dan T. Cathy, will serve as the Grand Marshal for the annual Peachtree City July 4th Parade.

Chick-fil-A was founded by Dan’s father, S. Truett Cathy, but Dan has been the President and COO of Chick-fil-A, since 2001. Cathy strives to provide customers with the most exceptional service. Perhaps this is why he lives by his own quote, “I work in customer service.”

We may love the restaurant for their chicken nuggets and waffle fries, but in 2007 Restaurant & Institutions magazine chose them as the winner of “Choice in Chains” for the 13th time in 14 years. In 2004 the chain was chosen “Best Drive-Thru in America” by QSR Magazine and later named as the highest rated quick-service chain in the south by J.D. Power and Associate’s.

Dan, a native of Jonesboro, Ga., has chosen to expand his duties as President. You will probably not find him at the Corporate Chick-fil-A office most of the time, as he chooses to travel and spend the majority of his time on the local level, visiting Chick-fil-A franchised Operators at their Chick-fil-A restaurants. He frequently attends Grand Opening ceremonies, spending the night in parking lots and visiting with the customers.

“I’m having the most fun I have ever had at Chick-fil-A,” said Dan. This comes as a “no” surprise since he used to sing songs for customers and radio commercials for the chains Dwarf House Restaurant in Hapeville, Ga. at age nine.

Cathy leads a busy life. He is a devoted husband, a father of two, a business man, an instrument-rated commercial pilot, a marathon runner, a trumpet player and a motorcyclist. His main goal in life is to see the business his family built succeed. The Chick-fil-A Corporate Purpose is: “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.” Maybe this is why Chick-fil-A has become a national chain and a multi-billion dollar entity.

You can find more information and interesting facts about the restaurant chain, Chick-fil-A at www.chick-fil-a.com.

The parade begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 4. “We are already on a wait list, and have some unique entries this year” says Ashley Alonso, parade coordinator. It begins on Peachtree Parkway near the Braelinn Golf Course and will proceed north on Peachtree Parkway, crossing over Crosstown Road, turning left onto McIntosh Trail and will disperse at Huddleston Elementary School and McIntosh Trail Recreation Complex. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at dusk.

For more information contact the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542 or visit the web site at www.ptcrecreation.org.

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