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How Two Local
Owner-Operators Go Above and Beyond to Support their Team Members’ Education
April 24, 2024
250+ Team Members from five restaurants have received Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarships with the help of two local
Owner-Operators and others
Each year, Chick-fil-A® restaurant Team Members have the opportunity to apply for scholarships through the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures™ Scholarships initiative. In 2024, Chick-fil-A, Inc. invested over $26 million to help more than 14,000 Team Members.
Going Above and Beyond for Education
While all local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators can play a vital role in encouraging and supporting restaurant Team Members throughout the scholarship application process, two local Owner-Operators are going above and beyond – collectively helping more than 250 students from five restaurants receive scholarships in the past two years.
Meet Local Owner-Operator Kevin Williams
For Kevin Williams, a local Owner-Operator in Canton, Ga., encouraging his Team Members is a
year-round role. On top of sharing bi-weekly email updates with application tips, offering to review applications, writing personal recommendation letters for each applicant and more, he and his restaurant team also throw an enormous celebration every year to honor his scholarship recipients.
Across Williams’ three restaurants alone, Chick-fil-A, Inc. has awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships to over 100 Team Members to further their education.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunities and resources Chick-fil-A gives local Owner-Operators to help them walk alongside Team Members,” said Williams. “The Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship initiative empowers us to offer an additional layer of encouragement to our Team Members, helping them pursue their career and educational goals. I’m honored to play a part in my Team Members’ personal and professional journeys.”
Meet Local Owner-Operator Bruce Ploeser and Administrator Annie Backus
Bruce Ploeser, a local Owner-Operator in Goodyear, Ariz., leans on his leadership team, including administrator, Annie Backus, to help encourage Team Members to apply.
Each year, Ploeser and Backus host three Sunday meetups – including an informational meeting with Team Members and their parents – to help Team Members craft their scholarship applications and get advice from prior scholarship recipients. With over 300 Team Members between their two restaurants, Ploeser and Backus have created an internal support system for Team Members applying for scholarships. In fact, Backus goes so far as to contact every single eligible Team Member to ensure they are informed, empowered and equipped to apply.
Like Williams, Ploeser understands the importance of celebration and honoring his Team Members' success.
“We recognize that folks are with us for a season of life – whether that be a year or 10 years – and our job is to help launch people toward what they feel passionate about,” said Ploeser. “We do everything we can to make our scholarship recipients feel celebrated. From having guests surprise them in the drive-thru to creating video presentations for each winner and everything in between, we make a concerted effort to honor their achievements and ensure they feel special.”
Care Beyond the Restaurant
Williams, Ploeser and Backus are just a few of the many local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators and others who foster a culture of care which goes beyond the restaurant. Through their support, Chick-fil-A Team Members are empowered to pursue their long-term education and career goals, whether that be with Chick-fil-A, Inc., a Chick-fil-A restaurant or elsewhere.
For more information about the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarships initiative, please visit https://www.chick-fil-a.com/remarkable-futures-scholarships.
250+ Team Members from five restaurants have received Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarships with the help of two local
Owner-Operators and others
Each year, Chick-fil-A® restaurant Team Members have the opportunity to apply for scholarships through the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures™ Scholarships initiative. In 2024, Chick-fil-A, Inc. invested over $26 million to help more than 14,000 Team Members.
Going Above and Beyond for Education
While all local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators can play a vital role in encouraging and supporting restaurant Team Members throughout the scholarship application process, two local Owner-Operators are going above and beyond – collectively helping more than 250 students from five restaurants receive scholarships in the past two years.
Meet Local Owner-Operator Kevin Williams
For Kevin Williams, a local Owner-Operator in Canton, Ga., encouraging his Team Members is a
year-round role. On top of sharing bi-weekly email updates with application tips, offering to review applications, writing personal recommendation letters for each applicant and more, he and his restaurant team also throw an enormous celebration every year to honor his scholarship recipients.
Across Williams’ three restaurants alone, Chick-fil-A, Inc. has awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships to over 100 Team Members to further their education.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunities and resources Chick-fil-A gives local Owner-Operators to help them walk alongside Team Members,” said Williams. “The Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship initiative empowers us to offer an additional layer of encouragement to our Team Members, helping them pursue their career and educational goals. I’m honored to play a part in my Team Members’ personal and professional journeys.”
Meet Local Owner-Operator Bruce Ploeser and Administrator Annie Backus
Bruce Ploeser, a local Owner-Operator in Goodyear, Ariz., leans on his leadership team, including administrator, Annie Backus, to help encourage Team Members to apply.
Each year, Ploeser and Backus host three Sunday meetups – including an informational meeting with Team Members and their parents – to help Team Members craft their scholarship applications and get advice from prior scholarship recipients. With over 300 Team Members between their two restaurants, Ploeser and Backus have created an internal support system for Team Members applying for scholarships. In fact, Backus goes so far as to contact every single eligible Team Member to ensure they are informed, empowered and equipped to apply.
Like Williams, Ploeser understands the importance of celebration and honoring his Team Members' success.
“We recognize that folks are with us for a season of life – whether that be a year or 10 years – and our job is to help launch people toward what they feel passionate about,” said Ploeser. “We do everything we can to make our scholarship recipients feel celebrated. From having guests surprise them in the drive-thru to creating video presentations for each winner and everything in between, we make a concerted effort to honor their achievements and ensure they feel special.”
Care Beyond the Restaurant
Williams, Ploeser and Backus are just a few of the many local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators and others who foster a culture of care which goes beyond the restaurant. Through their support, Chick-fil-A Team Members are empowered to pursue their long-term education and career goals, whether that be with Chick-fil-A, Inc., a Chick-fil-A restaurant or elsewhere.
For more information about the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarships initiative, please visit https://www.chick-fil-a.com/remarkable-futures-scholarships.
