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Introducing Caitlin Chavez, the first Owner-Operator in Puerto Rico
December 14, 2021
From Chick-fil-A Restaurant Team Member to Owner-Operator
Caitlin Chavez inherited a spirit of pursuing new opportunities from her father, who left El Salvador in search of a better future. From her mother, an English as a Second Language teacher, Caitlin carries a constant desire to keep learning. “My mom’s heart, combined with my dad's perseverance, really shaped me into who I am today,” Caitlin shared. Now, she is charting her own path as a business owner and the first Chick-fil-A® restaurant Owner/Operator in Puerto Rico.
From living in Bogotá, Colombia to South Florida, Caitlin brings respect, knowledge and experience from different cultures. Her pride in her Hispanic roots, along with her desire to make a positive impact in Puerto Rico, come together as she prepares to serve as the Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A Los Filtros, opening in early 2022.
Growing as a Team Member
At the age of 15, Caitlin was looking to help out her family by getting a part-time job. While at a summer camp, she overheard some of her friends talking about job opportunities at their local Chick-fil-A restaurant. She decided to apply and soon began working at Chick-fil-A Oak Ridge in Oak Ridge, Tennessee as a part-time Team Member.
"Right away, I loved the fast-paced environment and the camaraderie experienced among my fellow Team Members,” Caitlin shared. “I had no idea that my first job would open up so many opportunities and ultimately define my career.”
After high school, Caitlin left Oak Ridge and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee to continue her education. While in college, Caitlin was considering nursing school and needed a second job to help pay for her studies. One day, while sitting in the cafeteria, she saw a “Chick-fil-A Coming Soon” sign, and remembered how much she enjoyed her experience as a Team Member. She reapplied, unaware of where this decision would lead.
The impact of mentorship
While working at Chick-fil-A Brainerd Village in Chattanooga, Caitlin worked for Operator Nick Goebeler, who, over the next seven years, became a close mentor and taught Caitlin about the business of Chick-fil-A restaurants. Through Nick’s leadership and guidance, Caitlin learned every area of the restaurant, and found professional growth opportunities, including her role as the restaurant’s Executive Director.
At the same time, Caitlin had changed her college major four times and was still undecided on her profession. Nick encouraged her to try to become an Operator.
“That was the moment everything became clear,” Caitlin said. “Through seasons of adversity and uncertainty, I’d always been called back to Chick-fil-A and to serve others. I knew this was my future.”
Charting her path
After enrolling in business classes and earning her degree in 2017, Caitlin began looking for an opportunity to become an Operator in a Spanish-speaking community.
“I wanted to use my experience growing up to inspire the next generation of business leaders, while building a culture of kindness,” Caitlin said.
Over the course of two years, Caitlin served as a Grand Opening Trainer where she supported 10 restaurant openings, including the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Canada, where she experienced the excitement and opportunity to introduce the brand to a new market.
Without hesitation, at just 27 years old, she applied to the Chick-fil-A® Leadership Development Program, an experience that instills leadership skills in potential future Operators. She was accepted, bringing her one step closer to her true dream: becoming a Chick-fil-A Operator before her 30th birthday, which she accomplished at the age of 29.
From Chick-fil-A Restaurant Team Member to Owner-Operator
Caitlin Chavez inherited a spirit of pursuing new opportunities from her father, who left El Salvador in search of a better future. From her mother, an English as a Second Language teacher, Caitlin carries a constant desire to keep learning. “My mom’s heart, combined with my dad's perseverance, really shaped me into who I am today,” Caitlin shared. Now, she is charting her own path as a business owner and the first Chick-fil-A® restaurant Owner/Operator in Puerto Rico.
From living in Bogotá, Colombia to South Florida, Caitlin brings respect, knowledge and experience from different cultures. Her pride in her Hispanic roots, along with her desire to make a positive impact in Puerto Rico, come together as she prepares to serve as the Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A Los Filtros, opening in early 2022.
Growing as a Team Member
At the age of 15, Caitlin was looking to help out her family by getting a part-time job. While at a summer camp, she overheard some of her friends talking about job opportunities at their local Chick-fil-A restaurant. She decided to apply and soon began working at Chick-fil-A Oak Ridge in Oak Ridge, Tennessee as a part-time Team Member.
"Right away, I loved the fast-paced environment and the camaraderie experienced among my fellow Team Members,” Caitlin shared. “I had no idea that my first job would open up so many opportunities and ultimately define my career.”
After high school, Caitlin left Oak Ridge and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee to continue her education. While in college, Caitlin was considering nursing school and needed a second job to help pay for her studies. One day, while sitting in the cafeteria, she saw a “Chick-fil-A Coming Soon” sign, and remembered how much she enjoyed her experience as a Team Member. She reapplied, unaware of where this decision would lead.
The impact of mentorship
While working at Chick-fil-A Brainerd Village in Chattanooga, Caitlin worked for Operator Nick Goebeler, who, over the next seven years, became a close mentor and taught Caitlin about the business of Chick-fil-A restaurants. Through Nick’s leadership and guidance, Caitlin learned every area of the restaurant, and found professional growth opportunities, including her role as the restaurant’s Executive Director.
At the same time, Caitlin had changed her college major four times and was still undecided on her profession. Nick encouraged her to try to become an Operator.
“That was the moment everything became clear,” Caitlin said. “Through seasons of adversity and uncertainty, I’d always been called back to Chick-fil-A and to serve others. I knew this was my future.”
Charting her path
After enrolling in business classes and earning her degree in 2017, Caitlin began looking for an opportunity to become an Operator in a Spanish-speaking community.
“I wanted to use my experience growing up to inspire the next generation of business leaders, while building a culture of kindness,” Caitlin said.
Over the course of two years, Caitlin served as a Grand Opening Trainer where she supported 10 restaurant openings, including the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Canada, where she experienced the excitement and opportunity to introduce the brand to a new market.
Without hesitation, at just 27 years old, she applied to the Chick-fil-A® Leadership Development Program, an experience that instills leadership skills in potential future Operators. She was accepted, bringing her one step closer to her true dream: becoming a Chick-fil-A Operator before her 30th birthday, which she accomplished at the age of 29.
Turning a dream into reality
She soon learned that Chick-fil-A restaurants were expanding to Puerto Rico, and thought, "I would love to see a woman in that position, and then I realized that woman was me.”
"There are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and opening the first restaurant in Puerto Rico is an incredible privilege and highlights the thousands of opportunities to grow with Chick-fil-A,” Caitlin said. “What excites me the most is being able to work alongside a great team and to bring the service and hospitality of the Chick-fil-A brand to an island known for its rich culture and welcoming people.”
Honoring her family
While Caitlin wishes her dad could see her open the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Puerto Rico, she knows she is honoring his legacy and making her family proud.
“Like so many immigrant families, my dad sacrificed so much, and instilled in us the importance of perseverance,” Caitlin shared. “Opening this restaurant is a reminder that you can definitely achieve anything you want by working hard, and anything, absolutely anything, is possible.”
As the first Operator on the island, with the support of her husband, family and friends, she hopes her testimony of pursuing her passion will inspire others to follow their dreams, too.
Turning a dream into reality
She soon learned that Chick-fil-A restaurants were expanding to Puerto Rico, and thought, "I would love to see a woman in that position, and then I realized that woman was me.”
"There are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and opening the first restaurant in Puerto Rico is an incredible privilege and highlights the thousands of opportunities to grow with Chick-fil-A,” Caitlin said. “What excites me the most is being able to work alongside a great team and to bring the service and hospitality of the Chick-fil-A brand to an island known for its rich culture and welcoming people.”
Honoring her family
While Caitlin wishes her dad could see her open the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Puerto Rico, she knows she is honoring his legacy and making her family proud.
“Like so many immigrant families, my dad sacrificed so much, and instilled in us the importance of perseverance,” Caitlin shared. “Opening this restaurant is a reminder that you can definitely achieve anything you want by working hard, and anything, absolutely anything, is possible.”
As the first Operator on the island, with the support of her husband, family and friends, she hopes her testimony of pursuing her passion will inspire others to follow their dreams, too.
