Our lemonade is a customer favorite. Turns out, it's also the perfect base for making your own herbal infusions at home.
Find a Restaurant
A Heart for Service and Community: Meet Miguel “Mike” Nieves, the new Owner - Operator at Chick-fil-A Plaza Centro in Caguas
June 10, 2025
Puerto Rico native returns home to embrace new opportunities for entrepreneurship and community impact
For Miguel “Mike” Nieves, becoming the local Owner-Operator of the Chick-fil-A® restaurant in Caguas is more than a career move – it’s a calling rooted in a lifelong commitment to serving others. Through hospitality, leadership, and heart, Mike is bringing his passion for people to the Caguas community.
Raised in Puerto Rico from a young age, Mike’s career has spanned across public service, engineering, and military service in the National Guard. No matter the role, one thing remained consistent: a deep passion to guide, mentor and be part of something meaningful and greater than himself.
“I’ve always believed that leadership is about investing in people,” said Mike. “Watching someone grow and step into their potential — that’s the most fulfilling part of any role I’ve had.”
A Meaningful Return to Puerto Rico
That sense of purpose helped guide his path home. Years ago, while living in Europe for work, life brought Mike full circle when he reconnected with a childhood classmate from Patillas named Idamer, who was visiting Europe with her friends. Their paths crossed again, and they connected romantically. The timing was just right, and he began to seriously consider a return to Puerto Rico to be with her.
“There are no coincidences,” said Mike. “I was already thinking of moving back home to Puerto Rico — I knew I was at a point in my life where I could share knowledge, wisdom, and experience with future generations. Reconnecting with Idamer was a key part of that journey.”
From One Meal to a Mission
It was during a visit to family in Puerto Rico when Mike and Idamer stopped at a local Chick-fil-A restaurant. For Idamer, it was her first taste; for Mike, it was a familiar experience he had come to love while living on the mainland U.S. and he was excited to share it with this wife.
“I told her, ‘If it’s anything like what I’ve experienced before, we’re going to have a real treat,’” said Mike. “That night, I went home and researched the company. I already knew how hospitable they were, but as I dug deeper, I realized that my passion for serving people well was aligned with Chick-fil-A's passion for caring for all, and that’s when I decided to apply. One year later, here I am.”
Prioritizing Mentorship and Development for his Team Members
The opening of Chick-fil-A Plaza Centro will create approximately 145 job opportunities. With a vision to build more than just a restaurant, Mike is creating a space where people are encouraged to grow, feel supported, and inspired to lead with purpose.
His approach to leadership starts with setting the example — putting others first and helping his Team Members become the best version of themselves. He looks for individuals with character, a strong work ethic, and a drive to serve with purpose.
“I want every Team Member to find meaning in their work and feel truly connected to the mission of serving Guests and the community with excellence, care, and integrity.”
As part of his own development and Chick-fil-A journey, Mike has been mentored by Operator Cris Romero, the local Owner-Operator at Chick-fil-A Humacao, whose guidance has further fueled his passion for servant leadership.
Wholly Committed to Caguas
Mike and Idamer live just minutes from Chick-fil-A Caguas. Idamer, a doctor with her own medical practice, looks forward to supporting Mike’s work in the community, especially when it comes to mentoring and encouraging youth groups. To celebrate the opening of the new Restaurant, Mike will honor 100 local community heroes with one year of free Chick-fil-A food, participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® surplus food donation program to help address food insecurity for local families in need, and support local sports programs.
As he prepares to open his restaurant, Mike’s vision is simple: to create a place where anyone that comes in feels seen, valued, and welcomed, like part of the family.
Island Expansion
With plans to open 20-30 restaurants in Puerto Rico over the next 5 years, Chick-fil-A is seeking individuals who are passionate about serving delicious food and providing exceptional hospitality in a fast-paced environment to become Independent Franchise Owners-Operators of Chick-fil-A restaurants. Learn more here.
To learn more about Chick-fil-A, visit chick-fil-a.pr and find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Puerto Rico native returns home to embrace new opportunities for entrepreneurship and community impact
For Miguel “Mike” Nieves, becoming the local Owner-Operator of the Chick-fil-A® restaurant in Caguas is more than a career move – it’s a calling rooted in a lifelong commitment to serving others. Through hospitality, leadership, and heart, Mike is bringing his passion for people to the Caguas community.
Raised in Puerto Rico from a young age, Mike’s career has spanned across public service, engineering, and military service in the National Guard. No matter the role, one thing remained consistent: a deep passion to guide, mentor and be part of something meaningful and greater than himself.
“I’ve always believed that leadership is about investing in people,” said Mike. “Watching someone grow and step into their potential — that’s the most fulfilling part of any role I’ve had.”
A Meaningful Return to Puerto Rico
That sense of purpose helped guide his path home. Years ago, while living in Europe for work, life brought Mike full circle when he reconnected with a childhood classmate from Patillas named Idamer, who was visiting Europe with her friends. Their paths crossed again, and they connected romantically. The timing was just right, and he began to seriously consider a return to Puerto Rico to be with her.
“There are no coincidences,” said Mike. “I was already thinking of moving back home to Puerto Rico — I knew I was at a point in my life where I could share knowledge, wisdom, and experience with future generations. Reconnecting with Idamer was a key part of that journey.”
From One Meal to a Mission
It was during a visit to family in Puerto Rico when Mike and Idamer stopped at a local Chick-fil-A restaurant. For Idamer, it was her first taste; for Mike, it was a familiar experience he had come to love while living on the mainland U.S. and he was excited to share it with this wife.
“I told her, ‘If it’s anything like what I’ve experienced before, we’re going to have a real treat,’” said Mike. “That night, I went home and researched the company. I already knew how hospitable they were, but as I dug deeper, I realized that my passion for serving people well was aligned with Chick-fil-A's passion for caring for all, and that’s when I decided to apply. One year later, here I am.”
Prioritizing Mentorship and Development for his Team Members
The opening of Chick-fil-A Plaza Centro will create approximately 145 job opportunities. With a vision to build more than just a restaurant, Mike is creating a space where people are encouraged to grow, feel supported, and inspired to lead with purpose.
His approach to leadership starts with setting the example — putting others first and helping his Team Members become the best version of themselves. He looks for individuals with character, a strong work ethic, and a drive to serve with purpose.
“I want every Team Member to find meaning in their work and feel truly connected to the mission of serving Guests and the community with excellence, care, and integrity.”
As part of his own development and Chick-fil-A journey, Mike has been mentored by Operator Cris Romero, the local Owner-Operator at Chick-fil-A Humacao, whose guidance has further fueled his passion for servant leadership.
Wholly Committed to Caguas
Mike and Idamer live just minutes from Chick-fil-A Caguas. Idamer, a doctor with her own medical practice, looks forward to supporting Mike’s work in the community, especially when it comes to mentoring and encouraging youth groups. To celebrate the opening of the new Restaurant, Mike will honor 100 local community heroes with one year of free Chick-fil-A food, participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® surplus food donation program to help address food insecurity for local families in need, and support local sports programs.
As he prepares to open his restaurant, Mike’s vision is simple: to create a place where anyone that comes in feels seen, valued, and welcomed, like part of the family.
Island Expansion
With plans to open 20-30 restaurants in Puerto Rico over the next 5 years, Chick-fil-A is seeking individuals who are passionate about serving delicious food and providing exceptional hospitality in a fast-paced environment to become Independent Franchise Owners-Operators of Chick-fil-A restaurants. Learn more here.
To learn more about Chick-fil-A, visit chick-fil-a.pr and find us on Facebook and Instagram.
