John Traeger, Owner/Operator
ANDERSON (IN)
John was born and raised in the southeastern United States, spending his early years in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama before eventually settling in Atlanta, Georgia. Moving frequently as a child seemed to instill in him a strong sense of adaptability and resilience. John pursued Business Administration with a concentration in Finance while at Georgia Tech, finding a healthy balance between work and education..
Outside of his owner/operator duties, John is a devoted husband to Sarah, an avid tennis player, and a music enthusiast. His ability to stay grounded, lead with humor, and foster relationships shows he’s a leader who values both personal and professional growth.
2014
2017
2019
2023
2024
Chick-fil-A Story
John’s journey with Chick-fil-A began during his freshman year of college when he took on a summer job at a local restaurant. What started as a temporary position quickly turned into a passion for leadership, problem-solving, and the fast-paced environment of restaurant operations. Over time, he realized that mentoring young leaders and building high-performing teams were aspects of the business that deeply resonated with him.
After college, he worked under a West Palm Beach Operator for two years, gaining hands-on experience in restaurant operations and leadership development. John then entered Chick-fil-A’s Leadership Development Program (LDP), where he spent four and a half years traveling across 12 states and leading in 22 different locations. This experience allowed him to see different business models, learn from various leadership styles, and fine-tune his vision for what makes a successful Chick-fil-A restaurant.
Vision and Values
John’s mission is to grow, develop, and launch leaders toward their dreams. He firmly believes that leadership isn’t just about running a successful restaurant—it’s about investing in people and creating opportunities for growth.
His vision for his restaurant in Anderson is to elevate hospitality standards in the community by instilling Chick-fil-A’s signature culture of service in an area where top-tier hospitality is not the norm. John sees his role as an Operator as a way to give back to the community. With the goal of building partnerships with local schools, churches, and organizations to not only create job opportunities but also positively impact the people around him.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE CHICK-FIL-A A CAREER OR BECOME AN OWNER/OPERATOR?
“Focus on growth. Leadership isn’t about where you start—it’s about how much you’re willing to learn and develop. The more you pour into your people, the more opportunities will come your way. Success at Chick-fil-A is about serving well, building a strong team, and being willing to embrace the challenges of leadership head-on.”
– John Traeger
