Matt Williams, Owner/Operator
MAGNOLIA AT HERITAGE FARMS
Born and raised in Houston, Matt Williams originally pursued a PhD in genetics before realizing his true calling wasn’t in the lab, but in leading people. After working in student ministry and mentoring middle schoolers, he discovered a passion for developing others and creating community. That passion eventually led him to Chick-fil-A.
Matt and his wife have four children, and family has always been at the heart of his decisions. After nearly a decade operating in Colorado, they felt a pull to return to Texas, wanting their kids to grow up closer to extended family and be actively involved in the life of the restaurant. For Matt, Magnolia isn’t just a new store, it’s a place to plant roots and invest deeply in the people around him.
2012
2015
2015–2024
September 2025
Chick-fil-A Story
Matt became a Chick-fil-A Operator in 2012, starting in a mall unit in Colorado. In 2015, he opened the freestanding Gateway Park location and led it to grow from $3 million in annual sales to over $14 million. Along the way, he produced a future Operator and received multiple Symbol of Success awards.
Now, he’s preparing to open Chick-fil-A Magnolia, a community-rooted store just minutes from his home. His decision to relocate was driven by a desire to build a restaurant where his family, friends, and neighbors could be involved in a meaningful way.
Vision and Values
Matt’s employment promise:
- To help people become better, more valuable versions of themselves. This “launching pad” mentality shapes every part of his organization, from training and promotions to how he makes hiring decisions.
- His team will be deeply engaged with the local schools and community.
- He’s also bringing a reimagined version of Chick-fil-A’s “Backstage Tour” to Magnolia, inviting local nonprofits and businesses to learn about the brand’s values, systems, and food.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE CHICK-FIL-A A CAREER OR BECOME AN OWNER/OPERATOR?
“Our employment promise is to help people become better, more valuable versions of themselves. Whether someone stays for a season or builds a career, my goal is that they leave with more opportunities than when they started.”
– Matt Williams
Next Generation of Leaders
