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Bronx Operator Who Moved to the U.S. at 15 Lives Out American Dream
April 4, 2024
Entrepreneur focused on Team Member impact received nearly 2,000 applications
In 2017, Roberto Ruiz Gonzalez was working for a large recycling company in New York City. One of his drivers called out and since he had a Commercial Driver’s License, Ruiz drove the route with a helper. During a quick lunch break, the two stopped at Chick-fil-A® 219 West 34th Street In-Line. It was Ruiz’s first time – and he found the customer service shocking.
“I kept playing the scene in my head over and over. ‘Can we get you anything else? How can I serve you?’ We are New Yorkers; we aren’t accustomed to that,” Ruiz said. “Even my helper asked, ‘why do they keep asking us if we need something?’”
Unable to stop thinking about the experience, Ruiz later took his wife and daughter. As years passed by, Ruiz began thinking about an opportunity to own his own business. He learned about the Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator role and expressed interest in October 2021. In June 2023, Ruiz was selected to become an Owner-Operator.
An eye-opening experience
Ruiz, who grew up in Mexico, moved to New York when he was in high school. He knew no English. Instead of taking ESL classes, Ruiz’s father enrolled him in school in Queens, where he lived. Ruiz’s mother settled in the Bronx when she came to America.
For six to eight months, Ruiz sat in the back of the classroom. After about six months, by his sophomore year, Ruiz recalled understanding and speaking English clearly.
“There was so much diversity in school and for me, that was the biggest thing. ‘How am I able to work with so many different backgrounds?’ That was eye opening to me,” Ruiz said. “In Mexico we just had to speak Spanish. Now, in the same classroom, we could have 20-30 individuals with different backgrounds, languages, and customs.”
He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and majored in marketing and business administration and in part chose the school because one of his aunts lived in Las Vegas. According to Ruiz, it gave him time to be by himself and learn life a little bit.
Entrepreneur focused on Team Member impact received nearly 2,000 applications
In 2017, Roberto Ruiz Gonzalez was working for a large recycling company in New York City. One of his drivers called out and since he had a Commercial Driver’s License, Ruiz drove the route with a helper. During a quick lunch break, the two stopped at Chick-fil-A® 219 West 34th Street In-Line. It was Ruiz’s first time – and he found the customer service shocking.
“I kept playing the scene in my head over and over. ‘Can we get you anything else? How can I serve you?’ We are New Yorkers; we aren’t accustomed to that,” Ruiz said. “Even my helper asked, ‘why do they keep asking us if we need something?’”
Unable to stop thinking about the experience, Ruiz later took his wife and daughter. As years passed by, Ruiz began thinking about an opportunity to own his own business. He learned about the Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator role and expressed interest in October 2021. In June 2023, Ruiz was selected to become an Owner-Operator.
An eye-opening experience
Ruiz, who grew up in Mexico, moved to New York when he was in high school. He knew no English. Instead of taking ESL classes, Ruiz’s father enrolled him in school in Queens, where he lived. Ruiz’s mother settled in the Bronx when she came to America.
For six to eight months, Ruiz sat in the back of the classroom. After about six months, by his sophomore year, Ruiz recalled understanding and speaking English clearly.
“There was so much diversity in school and for me, that was the biggest thing. ‘How am I able to work with so many different backgrounds?’ That was eye opening to me,” Ruiz said. “In Mexico we just had to speak Spanish. Now, in the same classroom, we could have 20-30 individuals with different backgrounds, languages, and customs.”
He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and majored in marketing and business administration and in part chose the school because one of his aunts lived in Las Vegas. According to Ruiz, it gave him time to be by himself and learn life a little bit.
“We can do so much good”
His personal experiences have prepared him to be an Owner-Operator and more importantly, a leader. That desire is engrained as he prepares to open Chick-fil-A East Fordham Road In-Line in the Bronx.
“I’ve always wanted to be on my own. I’ve always had that pull to lead people. From the moment Team Members start in my store, it’s that key component to help that person have a better life after they work with me. For me, Chick-fil-A is that missing part in my journey as a human being and a leader,” Ruiz said.
Over the past several months, people have asked Ruiz when the restaurant would open and when they could apply for a job. Hiring began recently and within a week, Ruiz filled 90 of the 95 positions needed for the restaurant. Most hires reside in the Bronx and the remaining live in Upper Manhattan. He received nearly 2,000 applications for jobs in the restaurant.
“The biggest impact is when someone walks in the door and asks if they can apply for their first job. If I’m able to touch at least one life, we can do so much good. I want them to know we’re all for them, Chick-fil-A is for them,” Ruiz said.
As Ruiz opens the restaurant, he’s also thinking about how to become involved in the community. He plans to work with nonprofit organizations that support foster care.
“We can do so much good”
His personal experiences have prepared him to be an Owner-Operator and more importantly, a leader. That desire is engrained as he prepares to open Chick-fil-A East Fordham Road In-Line in the Bronx.
“I’ve always wanted to be on my own. I’ve always had that pull to lead people. From the moment Team Members start in my store, it’s that key component to help that person have a better life after they work with me. For me, Chick-fil-A is that missing part in my journey as a human being and a leader,” Ruiz said.
Over the past several months, people have asked Ruiz when the restaurant would open and when they could apply for a job. Hiring began recently and within a week, Ruiz filled 90 of the 95 positions needed for the restaurant. Most hires reside in the Bronx and the remaining live in Upper Manhattan. He received nearly 2,000 applications for jobs in the restaurant.
“The biggest impact is when someone walks in the door and asks if they can apply for their first job. If I’m able to touch at least one life, we can do so much good. I want them to know we’re all for them, Chick-fil-A is for them,” Ruiz said.
As Ruiz opens the restaurant, he’s also thinking about how to become involved in the community. He plans to work with nonprofit organizations that support foster care.
