Exploring Chick-Fil-A Corporate Headquarters

Have you heard of Red Oak, Georgia? If not, you are most likely familiar with Atlanta, Georgia. Red Oak is close to the city but not near the hustle and bustle of downtown.  Red Oak is home to the corporate headquarters of Chick-Fil-A. I traveled to the headquarters in March. The office building sits on many acres of gorgeous woodlands. The building is secluded in a private location with a luscious forest of trees and beautiful creeks. Bright sunlight illuminates the driveway and the pond glistens in the same light. Bird songs fill the air as the breeze gently rustles the leaves.  The driveway twists and turns before the office reveals itself.

Brightly colored flowers bloom and welcome visitors to the front door. The mission statement plaque inscribed with the words: “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” stands next to the entrance.

A beautiful, rushing waterfall cascades over pale brown stones and rocks. Ivy climbs up and over the walls of the fall. Pink flowers peek out from under the ivy. Fallen leaves swirl down the small stream at the bottom of the waterfall. The sun warms the rocks.

A bell tower begins to strike the turn of the hour. The bells then play a hymn. A life-size statue of Truett Cathy sits on a bench waiting for visitors to sit next to him for a photo opportunity.  We must pause the journey here. A visit to the headquarters is not complete without a mention of the company’s founder. His name sits on the Forbes list of the world’s billionaires.  His name is S. Truett Cathy. However, Mr. Cathy’s achievement is self-made. His success story is simple to reiterate. The Georgia Encyclopedia states, “In 1961, he developed the product that would make his fortune—the pressure-cooked chicken breast sandwich. In 1967, soon after creating the sandwich, Cathy opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant, in the Greenbriar Shopping Center in Atlanta” Mr. Cathy shares his fortune with his staff by providing a grand corporate headquarters.

The large glass doors lead to the open, five-story tall lobby. A spiral staircase commands the left corner and the twin glass elevators stand in the right corner.

A special museum hides away in a private area to the side of the reception. A model of the original Dwarf House that inspired the Chick-Fil-A restaurants captivates visitors’ attentions. The replica is equipped with a mannequin cook standing at a grill behind a counter with menus and stools. (That’s my mom in the photo!)

A jukebox and cigarette machine sits in the corner on the checkered floor. A glass case holds a timeline showcasing the introduction of the signature entrees to the Chick-fil-a restaurants. The museum also contains a vault. The secret recipe for the Chick-Fil-A sandwich rests inside the vault. Only a select few know the contents of the coating of a Chick-Fil-A sandwich. The secrecy of the recipe adds a level of exclusiveness to the sandwich.

Another mystery in the office is found downstairs in the cafeteria.  Some fans of Chick-Fil- A may be unaware of the magnitude of the corporate office. The cafeteria is quite a spectacle.  The immense dining area contains a specialized kitchen. A brick oven for fresh pizzas stands toward the right.

Along the cafeteria sits coolers filled with specialty juices and fresh, sliced fruit. A small dessert nook resides towards the left. The area may be small but the desserts offered are far from miniscule. Fresh baked goods line the counter. A milkshake machine sits behind them.  A circular salad bar receives much attention from the staff members. Bright leafy greens sit in their bins waiting to be topped with shredded carrots, cheese, or cucumber slices.  The packets of Chick-Fil-A dressings wait in their bins as well. A Chick-Fil-A kitchen would not find completion without the iconic Chick-Fil-A sandwich’s presence. A small sandwich warmer is constantly stocked during lunch hours. 

A private gym is located close by for staff use after indulging in the cafeteria. The gym is encouraging and inviting with motivational phrases on display. The treadmills and spin bikes sit at attention in their rows. The machines face a large window that displays the beautiful woodlands surrounding the office. Large studios with wooden floors also call the gym home. The staff members may take an aerobics class inside the studios.  Any staff member working out may find access to a large cooler stocked with Powerade ready for use during a challenging workout.

In addition to the welcoming environment, the office contains special architectural pieces. Of course, the amazing spiral staircase has a story to accompany its majesty. In the early 1980s, Truett Cathy wished to include a spiral staircase in his corporate office. But, the contractors presented him with plans that did not suit his taste. They drew a plan that displayed a spiral staircase. The plans included a staircase with a steel pole for support. Mr. Cathy did not want to include a steel pole. He wanted the staircase to have a look of fluidity instead. He knew that the Coca-Cola building displays a continuous spiral staircase. The contractors scrapped their plans and present Mr. Cathy with a new design. Each floor supports each level of the staircase instead of one support beam.   This design provides a grand appearance. The crimson carpeting and golden handrail command any visitor’s attention.

Walking along the breezeway towards the new addition of offices in the building one may notice something that looks like a large grassy field. However, the bright green grass is not simply a lawn. The grass is actually a rooftop for a warehouse. Mr. Cathy wanted something “green.” The rooftop is both environmentally friendly and lusciously green in color.

Some special hides behind nearly every corner at the corporate office of Chick-Fil-A. The building is an extremely welcoming place from the mission statement in the front to the nature paths in the back. The cow mascots abounding bring a sense of cheer to the atmosphere. Every staff member wears a nametag for a welcoming environment. All things Chick-Fil-A surround the offices.

Here’s a photo of my dad’s name tag and a photo of his office.

The corporate building of Chick-Fil-A in Red Oak is unique. The grounds are beautiful and the people inside the building are extremely pleasant. Moreover, if you’ve never heard of Red Oak and enjoy Chick-Fil-A, the corporate office may be a place worth visiting. I certainly enjoyed my visit!

All photography is original.

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