How a Chick-fil-A Operator Serves Hope at a Children’s Hospital
Matt Stockdale’s journey began not in the kitchen of a bustling restaurant, but in the spirited realm of college mascotry. Growing up in Aplington, Iowa, he embraced the role of TC the Panther at the University of Northern Iowa.
With limited resources, Matt poured his heart and even his own money into building the mascot program. He created “TC’s Posse” – his roommates acting as security – and even slid down the stairs of the UNI-Dome on a sled to boost fan engagement. As TC, he learned the power of hard work, creativity, and connection with the community – and even earned the honor of becoming a nationally-ranked mascot.
After graduation, Matt ventured into the retail world, spending 12 years with Target, followed by a stint at an independent grocer. Yet, the lessons from his time as TC lingered, shaping his leadership style with a unique blend of fun and purpose.
‘A lifetime of partnership’
Matt began hearing about Chick-fil-A from his friend Nick Dose, who owns and operates Chick-fil-A Lindale in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Intrigued to learn more about the brand and local ownership, Matt spent his Saturdays at Nick’s restaurant scooping waffle fries and making milkshakes.
“I really liked that aspect of proximity to the team and having a positive influence on them,” Matt said. He also saw the potential to positively impact the community.
In August 2016, he formally expressed interest in becoming an Owner-Operator. Nine months later on Founder’s Day, a day in which Chick-fil-A celebrates the life and legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy, Matt received the news – he’d been selected as Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Ear of Corn in Rochester, Minnesota.
When an Owner-Operator is selected, they get to ring a bell at the company’s Support Center in Atlanta. For Matt, ringing the bell was an emotional moment.
“Those seconds represent a lifetime of partnership,” he said.
To win hearts with uncommon care
Matt’s restaurant, Chick-fil-A Ear of Corn, is located near a hospital. With that in mind Matt penned his restaurant’s mission – “to win hearts with uncommon care.”
After his restaurant opened, Matt learned about the basic needs of the families of hospitalized patients for food, and how some families crave an opportunity to share a hot meal with their loved ones.
“My wife and I have three boys – they’re 12, 10 and 8 years old. When I think about those moments and if I was in the hospital with my kids, I can’t imagine that experience and how hard it would be. So that’s where we wanted to show up,” Matt said.
Matt decided once a month, he would feed all patients and their families at the local children’s hospital.
Typically, that consists of a family-style meal with chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, fruit trays, cookies, tea and lemonade. During flu season, the restaurant provides around 200 individual boxed meals for increased safety and care for patients.
A chicken sandwich with 10 pickles
Aidden was admitted to the children’s hospital in fall of 2023 waiting for a heart transplant. Born in 2010 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, his family knew shortly after birth a heart transplant could be in his future; they just weren’t sure when.
As he waited for a heart, Aidden participated in child life programs like crafts, bingo, experiments, piano and ukelele lessons. As the holiday season approached, Aidden was asked what he wanted for Christmas. His response? A variety of Chick-fil-A swag and a sandwich with 10 pickles.
Matt got connected with Natalie, Aidden’s mom.
“I said ‘Hey, I heard your story about your son. We’d love to help. When can we come and make sure he gets his favorite Chick-fil-A meal?’ And so, the 26th of December, we made that happen,” Matt said.
The sandwich with 10 pickles was the start of a friendship between Aidden and Matt. During Aidden’s hospital stay, Matt would reach out to Natalie and ask if he could bring lunch. Sometimes, he’d bring little trinkets like a pickle key chain or pickle socks or just stop by the hospital to chat with Aidden.
‘The phone call you wait for’
On March 21, 2024, five and a half months after he was admitted, Natalie got the call – the hospital had accepted a heart for Aidden.
“That’s a phone call you wait for, it’s so surreal,” Natalie said.
Aidden was in the operating room for 12 hours on March 23. After 12 days of recovery, his family received the exciting news that it was time to go home.
Before they left for home two hours away, there was a stop they had to make at Chick-fil-A Ear of Corn. Matt was told he had a special visitor.
“I go out there and there’s Aidden, sitting in a booth with his mom and grandma, and he’s having his favorite chicken sandwich with 10 pickles,” Matt said.
“What a neat moment to see how showing up several months before responding to a request from someone at the clinic turned into this moment where we got to see significant milestones in Aidden’s journey as he got his heart.”
The relationship continues. When Aidden comes to town for checkups, he stops into the restaurant so the two can catch up.
Aidden’s now getting to try things he’d never gotten to before the transplant, like dirt biking, gardening, cooking, while continuing to enjoy familiar things, like his chicken sandwich with 10 pickles.
