Redemptive Entrepreneurship in Action – Chick Fil A

Perhaps you doubt the validity of the impact of redemptive entrepreneurship. I know I definitely question the scope of benefits of redemptive entrepreneurship. Sure, it has the power to transform communities in third-world communities (such as tegu), but how does it affect people in the US? The skeptic in me wonders just how powerful a company founded on redemptive principles can be.

Can redemptive entrepreneurship truly transform an entire culture?

And while I continue asking these questions, a first-hand experience with the power of redemptive entrepreneurship settled many of my doubts. True to fashion, the company to assuage my skepticism was none other than Chick Fil A. Their business model – designed to sell chicken with a smile – continues to be an example for the redemptive entrepreneurship world. For me – an aspiring business professional – they showed me from the perspective of a customer how a simple act can have massive impact.

One Tuesday evening – during that very stressful few weeks before Easter break – my friend and I hopped in her car and headed off to Cranberry, PA. With waffle fries and chicken sandwiches on our minds, we spent most of the car ride debriefing the week. Both of us were frustrated and more than a little stressed, dealing with the mounting schoolwork load and administrative issues.

It’s safe to say that we both were one good push away from losing our fragile composure. Our trip to get Chick Fil A was an attempt to escape the pressures of schoolwork and such by getting off campus and eating good food.

We arrived at Chick Fil A and pulled into those efficient drive-thru lines (seriously, their setup is incredible). I had a gift card, so my friend and I ordered separately. However, when I handed over my gift card, there seemed to be some kind of problem. The employee scanned it multiple times, but it wasn’t working.

I was disappointed, to be sure, but I had cash on me and prepared to pay up. It wasn’t the end of the world, and I didn’t put up a fuss about having to pay despite having a gift card. In fact, I didn’t say anything at all.

However, the Chick Fil A employee handed back the gift card and said, “Your gift card isn’t working today, but don’t worry about it. Your meal is on the house.” Then, the employee proceeded to gift my friend her meal as well.

I was absolutely stunned.

There was nothing special about us that warranted a free meal – just a couple of exhausted college students looking for an off-campus meal. Outside of my gift card not working, the employee really didn’t a have a special reason to gift us our meal. However, the timing of that simple act of kindness was absolutely incredible. Both of us desperately needed a boost, and that free meal meant more to us than that employee would every know. It was a breath of fresh air amidst a difficult semester.

And the “my pleasure” when we thanked her was just icing on the cake.

Chick Fil A models redemptive entrepreneurship in a unique way by giving their employees the opportunity to bless customers as they see fit. In fact, this is even encouraged. In this way, the Holy Spirit can move even through non-Christian employees and bring light those who need it. For them, it’s worth the cost to make someone’s day, and it builds loyalty. It shines a light in a dog-eat-dog business world. In this simple, small way, Chick Fil A’s redemptive model makes this world a better place and takes steps to redeem this culture in desperate need of Christ.