Customer Reviews

Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People

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If you are looking for a primer of how to make big bucks in a business, you won't find it here. If you're looking for an example of a business grounded in Christian values and principles then look no further. Eat Mor Chikin is an inspirational book which shows that you can utilize Christian principles in your business and make a profit.

Eat Mor Chikin: Doing Business the Chick-fil-A Way is S. Truett Cathy's story of how he developed a business that instills loyalty, achieves higher sales and gives hope to thousands of people who enter its sphere. Cathy has presented us with a book which is more biographical in nature than purely business oriented.

Mr. Cathy came from a family that was plagued by poverty, disease and other problems that would break the wills of most people. Yet through his faith, good people coming into his life, and taking advantage of unexpected opportunities, Truett Cathy became a pioneer in the fast food business in the southeast. His struggles, triumphs and Christian principles are an inspiration for anyone who feels they are unable to make it in this tumultous world of business and life. Faith is the cornerstone of Mr. Cathy's success.

I certainly enjoyed the book. His book is filled with anecdotes and other intriguing stories of his life. Unfortunately the reader doesn't get a comprehensive look at Mr. Cathy's life nor his business. In fact most of the book focuses on the charitable works done by his organization and himself. You will not find any detailed discussions of his business and its operation. As a book on business it falls short on those details. It would have been good if they were elaborated on especially for those who want to incorporate Christian values into all aspects of their business. Except for those two flaws Mr. Cathy has presented the reader with a book that deserves our attention in conducting business in life and at home.

Ever wondered about Chik-fil-A? What is the secret of its success? Why is it closed on Sunday? Why is it not publicly held? (No, you can't buy stock in it). Where did they get those cows who can't spell? And who is the man behind the concept? In this deceptively short book, S. Truett Cathy talks about his life story and the story of this business.

It is a fascinating American story, a story of struggling up from hard times, building a business with impressive perseverance and personal commitment, and most important, a story of principles. For this is a company that eschews contemporary business fads and slogans, treats its people like valued assets, prizes and practices loyalty, and believes that Christianity should be lived, not just preached.

Interspersed with author Cathy's memoirs are brief vignettes from several Chik-fil-A operators (what they call franchisees), and from others who have blossomed under Cathy's encouraging ministrations. He does a lot more than sell chicken sandwiches. He has made a life work of encouraging others. He also sponsors a network of foster homes, and is (appropriately) proud of the many, hundreds, of children who call him their grandfather.

Although it is a short book, it is intense, and it is challenging, because it makes you ask yourself questions. It is not the light reading it appears to be. It forces you to look at your own values, loyalty, and commitment. It is well worth reading. If you would like the chance to meet a really great man of our times, even if it's only in his book, then I strongly recommend Eat Mor Chikin! Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

This book is filled with nuggets on faith,life and business. He writes it in such a down home way that you feel connected to him and his family. I enjoyed the fact that he shared his faults along with his successes. There was no shame in making mistakes or being scared in business but he took every opportunity and that's saying a lot. I have a new found respect for Mr. Cathy and Chik Fil A. He truly tries to instill Christain values into business and he has shown us all that it works!!!

I purchased this book expecting (and perhaps hoping) for a narrative of the Chick-Fil-A corporate marketing and operations strategy. I was surprised to find an auto-biography instead.

This book was not at all what I anticipated, but I am so very glad that I stumbled across it. "Eat More Chikin" does indeed contain Mr. Cathy's secret to success, but if you're convinced that effective business strategy has to be complex, you just might miss it. This writing reveals the very philosophy that has made S. Truett Cathy a winner in business and every other facet of life. And yes, I was in fact inspired!

S. Truett Cathy's story is an inspiring one in many ways. Born into a family that was poor and facing difficult times, he nonetheless had the willpower and grace to make it through to become a fine example of the American success story, with a thriving business across the country. Cathy has made an effort in his business enterprises to continue to inspire people, holding fast to his basic principles.

This is not a business book - many readers may be disappointed, but it is not a `how-to' book with strategies for successful chain-restaurant management, building or marketing. Instead, this is an inspirational book and autobiographical reflection on the part of Cathy; his business holds true to Cathy's understanding of what Christian principles should be, and this is rather rare in society, but this is a book about those principles, rather than the business.

Cathy had many set-backs and many unexpected opportunities arise in his life. One thing Cathy seems consistent about is that he always looked for the will of God in these events. Faith is the foundation of Cathy's business plan. The book contains many short stories and personal anecdotes from Cathy's life, some of which may seem unbelievably fortuitous. Cathy spends a great deal of time laying out the charitable works he and his company engage in, too, partly for a bit of marketing I'm sure, but also as a subtle model and reminder to other corporate executives and businesses that they have a responsibility to the greater community.

One might be tempted to wonder, does God really get involved in corporate success this way? Is the answer for a business to close on Sundays? (We shall leave aside the question about whether the Sabbath is really supposed to be Saturday, rather than Sunday.) Was God the inspiration behind the successful marketing campaign, whose slogan makes up the title - Eat Mor Chikin? This would be to miss the point of Cathy's stories, which, if there is a single point, would be to give thanks to God for his own success (something rarely done in business today, even by otherwise religious people) and to show through personal example some of the things one can do from this position of success.

A few questions that might have been addressed might include how a struggling business (vs. a successful one) can afford to incorporate these ideas, and how general principles can be integrated seamlessly into the mix without it becoming a problem. Overall this is an interesting book, a bit on the lighter side, and one to be read for enjoyment rather than business education.

My husband, Mark Andresen, brought "Eat Mor Chikin, Inspire More People: Doing Business the Chik-Fil-A Way" home to read. Curious, I grabbed it and began reading it earlier today. Little did I expect that as I neared the last chapters I'd be touched on the deepest level.

In the book Truett Cathy, now nearing 90, tells his life story beginning in the 1920s when he was just a boy. He was gifted with a talent for business. His writing style is easy to read and enjoyable. No stylistic flourishes, just truth and a lot of heart when a reader least expects it, but no sentimentality either!

I knew Cathy's reputation as a good man (my grandparents knew him way back in the 1950s and early 60s when he started his first restaurant in Hapeville GA. As a kid I loved the food! And I recall seeing Mr. Cathy's handsome gold watch LOL) but I had no idea that Mr. Cathy and his Chik-Fil-A corporation have been involved in rescuing neglected and at risk children in several states and even Brazil. I learned in the book that Mr. Cathy, a smart spiritual man, has with his wife and their children established a foundation to support and personally oversee 2 parent foster homes which aren't reliant on the state system, as well as summer camps, and scholarships. Cathy's knowledge about how childrens characters are formed is astute. I believe teachers and those in social services would appreciate reading about Mr.and Mrs. Cathy's approach to intervention to keep kids from going wrong. The kids he's helped all call him 'Grandpa.' His story would make a good TV movie. *smile*

Mr. Cathy's business acumen, humility and integrity are doubly admirable in this era when we Americans are appalled by the corruption and greed of many CEOs.

The best quality fast food is Chik-Fil-A. The foods served are delicious and prepared by caring employees who are treated well. Unlike McDonald's, Wendy's and many other companies Chik-Fil-A is a privately held corporation (no stockholders to demand changes.) There's a unique management structure wherein the individual location 'operators' are generously compensated and participate as a team in the Chik-Fil-A 'family' and encouraged to help their own communities. When we eat at Chik-Fil-A we are supporting a business which does good.

Reviewed by Paula Stratton Andresen

The story of Truett Cathy and the creation of Chick fil A was truly inspiring. He has shown that you can be very principled and Not have profit as your number #1 goal and yet be as or more successful than your competitors. Everyone in business should read this book, as well as anyone interested in a good old American success story. Rags to riches done the right way.

Excellent book, especially for persons who are considering opening up their own business. Also, great reading for everyone, as it proves "right living" pays off.

This book is very helpful to me as a customer service consultant. Cathy understands the central importance of starting with the right people in the right job. It's a quick read.His Christian faith is the basis for his approach to employees and customers.Strengthening the Organizational Heart: 15 Timeless Lessons from Legendary YMCA Leader John R. Mott

I wanted to read all about some of my favorite and some very successful companies and this book, like the others, is very good. I'm not surprised at the successful decisions made, but it's nice to read the details of how they came about.

Also recommend: Discount Tire, In-N-Out Burger, and QT.

Always places where they work fast, efficiently, happily, and energetic. They don't waste time being grumpy. They're always happy to please and make things right!