Abby began her Chick-fil-A career as a restaurant leader in Mooresville, North Carolina, where she gained experience overseeing catering and mobile ordering before eventually becoming a Back of House Director. After returning to North Georgia, she joined a Chick-fil-A mall location in Dalton and spent approximately two years there.
It was during her time in Dalton that becoming an Owner/Operator began to feel like the right path. Abby experienced firsthand how intentionally her Operators cared for people, reinforcing her desire to build a long term career with Chick-fil-A and eventually own her own restaurant.
When her Operator received an opportunity to relocate, Abby moved with him to the highly publicized double decker drive-thru test concept near McDonough, Georgia, serving as his Operating Partner. Because LDP was not the right fit for her growing family at the time, the opportunity gave Abby valuable operational experience, exposure, and connections while she pursued the Operator path externally.
After approximately seven years with Chick-fil-A across three locations, Abby was selected as the Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A Andalusia—her first restaurant as an Operator.
Abby’s vision for Chick-fil-A Andalusia is “to be Andalusia’s most caring company,” supported by a mission to “serve others, build community, and cultivate care.”
Her approach to leadership reflects that mission. Abby describes herself as a “lead from within” leader who believes leadership is built through influence rather than authority. She prioritizes getting to know her Team Members, building genuine connections, and creating an environment where people choose to do the right thing because they feel invested in the team. Just as importantly, she does not expect someone to do something she would not be willing to do herself.
Developing people is another important part of Abby’s vision. Her goal is not simply to prepare Team Members for their next restaurant position, but to help them grow toward whatever future they envision. Whether someone hopes to advance within Chick-fil-A or gain experience that prepares them to become a nurse, lawyer, or pursue another career entirely, Abby wants their time on her team to move them closer to that goal.
For those pursuing the Owner/Operator path, Abby encourages them to understand their motivation. She believes the opportunity should be about more than financial success—it requires understanding Chick-fil-A’s purpose, being prepared for challenges, and remaining committed even through the “no’s” that can come throughout the process.
