Unlike many operators who start at Chick-fil-A as teenagers, John’s introduction to the brand came after college. Drawn by the company’s commitment to local ownership, as well as their corporate purpose of “glorifying God by being faithful stewards,” John began working for Jason Bilotti in Atlanta, where he learned the fundamentals of restaurant leadership and the art of developing people. From there, he joined Chick-fil-A’s Leadership Development Program (LDP) — traveling full-time for two years, supporting restaurant openings across the country, and gaining a deep appreciation for excellence, adaptability, and service. After LDP, he joined Scott Spears’ team, where he honed his organizational leadership skills and recruited and developed a new team of leaders. Now, as the Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A East Sioux Falls, John is pioneering the brand’s presence in South Dakota with energy, optimism, and vision.
John’s vision for Chick-fil-A East Sioux Falls is clear:
“To inspire Sioux Falls to take good care of each other by creating a remarkable restaurant experience.”
He approaches leadership with a philosophy of high challenge and high support, emphasizing the development of people both within and beyond the restaurant. He doesn’t view his team as employees but as talent — individuals who have been selected, not just hired. His leadership is anchored by trust, honor, dignity, and respect — values that guide his commitment to help every team member grow, whether they stay long-term, move into another industry, or pursue leadership within Chick-fil-A.
John’s passion for people development is evident in his team member promise:
“At Chick-fil-A East Sioux Falls, our ladies and gentlemen are our most valuable resource. By applying the values of trust, honor, dignity, and respect, we nurture and maximize talent to the benefit of each team member and the guests we serve.”