Chick-fil-A invests $19M in 2021 employee scholarships

Chick-fil-A will invest $19 million in employee continuing education this year, awarding college scholarships to 7,492 team members in 44 states, Washington, D.C. and Canada, according to a news release. Employees can apply their scholarships to any area of study at any accredited institution.

To celebrate the scholarship recipients, Chick-fil-A invited 12 employees to what those team members thought was going to just be a virtual retreat on March 17. But, during the meeting, Chick-fil-A Chairman and CEO Dan Cathy surprised each with a $25,000 True Inspiration Scholarship.

The 12 True Inspiration Scholars were also given laptops to use as they continue their studies. In addition, throughout March and April, local Chick-fil-A franchise operators are awarding $2,500 Leadership Scholarships to 7,480 employees.

“Since 1970, our scholarship programs have been instrumental in our investment in the growth and success of restaurant team members and their professional and personal development,” Cathy said in the release. “This year’s inspiring scholarship recipients possess strong leadership skills, demonstrate a commitment to academic achievement and continue to make a positive impact on their communities. Our mission is to play a small part in furthering their education, giving them hope and opportunities to change the world.”

This year, nearly 400 additional scholarships were funded through the retail sale of Chick-fil-A bottled sauce, which was introduced in select states last year and will become available nationwide later this spring. With the sale of the sauces, 100% of the Chick-fil-A, Inc. royalties go toward the brand’s Remarkable Futures Scholarships initiative.

Chick-fil-A’s scholarships initiative offers:

• Upfront payment that can be directly applied to tuition costs, without requiring tuition reimbursement.
• Applicability at any school, college or university in any area of study at any accredited institution of the employee’s choice.
• No hours worked or service length requirement to qualify.

In a 2020 survey of scholarship recipients, 54% of Chick-fil-A restaurant team members stated their scholarship made it possible to attend college, with 16% being first-generation college students. Nearly 98% of the 2020 scholarship recipients surveyed said scholarship opportunities are an important benefit to working at Chick-fil-A restaurants.

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. has more than 2,600 restaurants in 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada.