How Did You Do It, Truett?: A Recipe for Success [Hardcover]

S. Truett Cathy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 16, 2007

How does the man working behind the counter of a mom-and-pop diner for twenty-one years turn a good idea into a restaurant chain worth $2 billion annual sales? S. Truett Cathy, founder and CEO of Chick-fil-A, shares the answers in How Did You Do It, Truett?

The inventor of the chicken sandwich and the founder of Chick-fil-A, Truett Cathy also pioneered quick-service food in shopping malls, and is now one of America's most successful and respected businessmen. His restaurants, which are always closed on Sunday, achieve higher sales per unit than others that remain open seven days a week. Forty years after opening the first Chick-fil-A restaurant, the chain now has more than 1,300 units in thirty-eight states.

How Did You Do It, Truett? offers countless nuggets of wisdom. The 86-year-old chief executive officer's keen business sense, his commitment to his principles, and his desire to keep the business simple pours off of every page. His lessons apply not only to business, but family and community life as well.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

S. Truett Cathy is founder and chief executive officer of Chick-fil-A restaurants and author of four books: It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail, Eat Mor Chikin, Inspire More People, The Generosity Factor (with Ken Blanchard), and It's Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men. He and his wife, Jeannette, live in the Atlanta area, where he has taught Sunday school for more than fifty years, and have three grown children and twelve grandchildren.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 95 pages
• Publisher: Looking Glass Press (November 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929619332
• ISBN-13: 978-1929619337
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Business & Investing > Business Life > Etiquette

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars inspiring May 26, 2009

By D. Wales

Amazon Verified Purchase

loved it. Chick fil A is more than just another business. It's a business with a heart and a purpose lead by a man who cares more about people than profit. As a result the business has both touched the lives of many while earning a great profit. Reminds me of the quote by C.S. Lewis "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible (not just the sandwiches) April 28, 2012

By Jeredj

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Fantastic retelling of Mr. Cathy's inspirational story told from his (and some of those closest to him) perspective(s). Very quick read with some glimpses into the business model of Dwarf House and Chick-Fil-A.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational December 31, 2008

By JC

Truett Cathy has inspired me to be the best that I can be as a small business owner. He gives insight into the success of Chick Fil-A and shares principles and ideals that can be replicated. I'm inspired by his work ethic and his can-do attitude. I love the way he gets the right people on his team. I'm also a more informed Chick Fil-A consumer.

4.0 out of 5 stars Chikin Nuggets May 17, 2013

By Tim Williams

This book is a simple, succinct, supportive collection of stories and principles, which are a lot like a meal at Chick-fil-A: simple, customer friendly, and nourishing. My favorite parts were "Identifying the Product" and the presentation of the "Second-Mile Service" idea.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book April 30, 2013

By Jodie Thomas

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This is a great book to read. Lots of good insight for any business person. I read the entire book in a couple of days.

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book February 5, 2013

By Sandra G. Coffey

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I really liked this book. It was short, simple and to the point. Very interesting stories within and good information.

4.0 out of 5 stars Truett Cathy Fan 2 January 4, 2013

By Robert Smeltzer

Amazon Verified Purchase

It is best to learn success from someone who is sucessful, and Truett Cathy fits the bill. He has grown a business without compromising his moral values to do so. The reading is simple and straight forward. I recommend it to anyone who is looking to attack life in the proper way.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Overview Worth Reading December 26, 2012

By Russell A Parker

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This is definitely NOT a "how to" book to start a business. Rather it's bits of wisdom compiled by Cathy and his staff over the years highlighting how he built his business. He offers many caveats and axioms when starting/running a business, such as: "success won't happen until you want to" (chap 1), or make sure your personal timing is right to start a business (chap 2), or "don't be burdened with personal debt" if you want to see your goals come true (chap 9). Similar books in this genre are, Sam Walton: Made in America and David Green's More Than a Hobby. All of these titles I enjoyed very much, and would recommend them, but expect to get a more philosophical idea of how to run a business (or succeed at anything really) than a nuts and bolts strategy to begin and run one.