Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People

Rating:
Summary: A Man To Admire
Review: Ever wondered about Chik-fil-A? What is the secret of its success? Why is it closed on Sunday? Why is it not publicly held? (No, you can't buy stock in it). Where did they get those cows who can't spell? And who is the man behind the concept? In this deceptively short book, S. Truett Cathy talks about his life story and the story of this business.

It is a fascinating American story, a story of struggling up from hard times, building a business with impressive perseverance and personal commitment, and most important, a story of principles. For this is a company that eschews contemporary business fads and slogans, treats its people like valued assets, prizes and practices loyalty, and believes that Christianity should be lived, not just preached.

Interspersed with author Cathy's memoirs are brief vignettes from several Chik-fil-A operators (what they call franchisees), and from others who have blossomed under Cathy's encouraging ministrations. He does a lot more than sell chicken sandwiches. He has made a life work of encouraging others. He also sponsors a network of foster homes, and is (appropriately) proud of the many, hundreds, of children who call him their grandfather.

Although it is a short book, it is intense, and it is challenging, because it makes you ask yourself questions. It is not the light reading it appears to be. It forces you to look at your own values, loyalty, and commitment. It is well worth reading. If you would like the chance to meet a really great man of our times, even if it's only in his book, then I strongly recommend Eat Mor Chikin! Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

Rating:
Summary: very disappointing
Review: I love reading books about those who have been successful in business, particularly autobiographical ones. This is one of the worst I've read.

I went into this book expecting a bit of a sermon, knowing that S. Truett Cathy has applied his religious beliefs to his restaurant business. I was surprised that the preaching was kept to a minimum. Still Cathy uses his faith to explain away his failures. Instead of discussing any specifics of how he overcame difficulties he summarizes it all with "we prayed on it" far too often in this book.

Cathy views his past through rose colored glasses, so don't expect to learn anything much about how he built his business. He paints a picture of him sitting like a sage on a throne offering life advice to everyone from the teenagers who have worked for him to his long time friend and Chick-Fil-A president Jimmy Collins. This is a shame since Cathy's Chick-Fil-A stands alone as the only restaurant chain it's size that is still a private company

The few times in the book that Cathy discusses the hard times, he says that God is testing him and by the next paragraph it's all good again. This reminds me of the Far Side cartoon with 2 scientists discussing a complex formula with "then a miracle occurs" in the middle. This kind of approach is fine for the pulpit but not for a business book.

I hope company president Jimmy Collins writes a book about his experiences building Chick-Fil-A. Reading between the lines in this book, Collins deserves a much much larger share of the credit for bringing the company where it is today.

Rating:
Summary: Cathy shares successful recipe for both business and life
Review: I purchased this book expecting (and perhaps hoping) for a narrative of the Chick-Fil-A corporate marketing and operations strategy. I was surprised to find an auto-biography instead.

This book was not at all what I anticipated, but I am so very glad that I stumbled across it. "Eat More Chikin" does indeed contain Mr. Cathy's secret to success, but if you're convinced that effective business strategy has to be complex, you just might miss it. This writing reveals the very philosophy that has made S. Truett Cathy a winner in business and every other facet of life. And yes, I was in fact inspired!

Rating:
Summary: Cathy shares successful recipe for both business and life
Review: I purchased this book expecting (and perhaps hoping) for a narrative of the Chick-Fil-A corporate marketing and operations strategy. I was surprised to find an auto-biography instead.

This book was not at all what I anticipated, but I am so very glad that I stumbled across it. "Eat More Chikin" does indeed contain Mr. Cathy's secret to success, but if you're convinced that effective business strategy has to be complex, you just might miss it. This writing reveals the very philosophy that has made S. Truett Cathy a winner in business and every other facet of life. And yes, I was in fact inspired!

Rating:
Summary: EAT MOR INSPIRATION
Review: If you are looking for a primer of how to make big bucks in a business, you won't find it here. If you're looking for an example of a business grounded in Christian values and principles then look no further. Eat Mor Chikin is an inspirational book which shows that you can utilize Christian principles in your business and make a profit.

Eat Mor Chikin: Doing Business the Chick-fil-A Way is S. Truett Cathy's story of how he developed a business that instills loyalty, achieves higher sales and gives hope to thousands of people who enter its sphere. Cathy has presented us with a book which is more biographical in nature than purely business oriented.

Mr. Cathy came from a family that was plagued by poverty, disease and other problems that would break the wills of most people. Yet through his faith, good people coming into his life, and taking advantage of unexpected opportunities, Truett Cathy became a pioneer in the fast food business in the southeast. His struggles, triumphs and Christian principles are an inspiration for anyone who feels they are unable to make it in this tumultous world of business and life. Faith is the cornerstone of Mr. Cathy's success.

I certainly enjoyed the book. His book is filled with anecdotes and other intriguing stories of his life. Unfortunately the reader doesn't get a comprehensive look at Mr. Cathy's life nor his business. In fact most of the book focuses on the charitable works done by his organization and himself. You will not find any detailed discussions of his business and its operation. As a book on business it falls short on those details. It would have been good if they were elaborated on especially for those who want to incorporate Christian values into all aspects of their business. Except for those two flaws Mr. Cathy has presented the reader with a book that deserves our attention in conducting business in life and at home.

Rating:
Summary: This book leaves you hungry.
Review: Read Billy Graham if you want biblical passages and testimonials about lost teenaged souls saved (Halleluah!) by a single, profound word, perfectly delivered by the saintly author.
Only 1 chapter dealt, superficially, with the title. The entire discussion of their marketing strategy is explained away in a few paragraphs as a fun idea by a wacky ad agency. Oh, boy. The author and his wife are obviously lovely and generous people who have devoted much to young people. Can read in an hour if you skip the Bible verses and the repeat episodes of piety. File this under "Inspirational Reading," not business success stories.

Rating:
Summary: Redefining success...
Review: S. Truett Cathy's story is an inspiring one in many ways. Born into a family that was poor and facing difficult times, he nonetheless had the willpower and grace to make it through to become a fine example of the American success story, with a thriving business across the country. Cathy has made an effort in his business enterprises to continue to inspire people, holding fast to his basic principles.

This is not a business book - many readers may be disappointed, but it is not a `how-to' book with strategies for successful chain-restaurant management, building or marketing. Instead, this is an inspirational book and autobiographical reflection on the part of Cathy; his business holds true to Cathy's understanding of what Christian principles should be, and this is rather rare in society, but this is a book about those principles, rather than the business.

Cathy had many set-backs and many unexpected opportunities arise in his life. One thing Cathy seems consistent about is that he always looked for the will of God in these events. Faith is the foundation of Cathy's business plan. The book contains many short stories and personal anecdotes from Cathy's life, some of which may seem unbelievably fortuitous. Cathy spends a great deal of time laying out the charitable works he and his company engage in, too, partly for a bit of marketing I'm sure, but also as a subtle model and reminder to other corporate executives and businesses that they have a responsibility to the greater community.

One might be tempted to wonder, does God really get involved in corporate success this way? Is the answer for a business to close on Sundays? (We shall leave aside the question about whether the Sabbath is really supposed to be Saturday, rather than Sunday.) Was God the inspiration behind the successful marketing campaign, whose slogan makes up the title - Eat Mor Chikin? This would be to miss the point of Cathy's stories, which, if there is a single point, would be to give thanks to God for his own success (something rarely done in business today, even by otherwise religious people) and to show through personal example some of the things one can do from this position of success.

A few questions that might have been addressed might include how a struggling business (vs. a successful one) can afford to incorporate these ideas, and how general principles can be integrated seamlessly into the mix without it becoming a problem. Overall this is an interesting book, a bit on the lighter side, and one to be read for enjoyment rather than business education.

Rating:
Summary: Redefining success...
Review: S. Truett Cathy's story is an inspiring one in many ways. Born into a family that was poor and facing difficult times, he nonetheless had the willpower and grace to make it through to become a fine example of the American success story, with a thriving business across the country. Cathy has made an effort in his business enterprises to continue to inspire people, holding fast to his basic principles.

This is not a business book - many readers may be disappointed, but it is not a 'how-to' book with strategies for successful chain-restaurant management, building or marketing. Instead, this is an inspirational book and autobiographical reflection on the part of Cathy; his business holds true to Cathy's understanding of what Christian principles should be, and this is rather rare in society, but this is a book about those principles, rather than the business.

Cathy had many set-backs and many unexpected opportunities arise in his life. One thing Cathy seems consistent about is that he always looked for the will of God in these events. Faith is the foundation of Cathy's business plan. The book contains many short stories and personal anecdotes from Cathy's life, some of which may seem unbelievably fortuitous. Cathy spends a great deal of time laying out the charitable works he and his company engage in, too, partly for a bit of marketing I'm sure, but also as a subtle model and reminder to other corporate executives and businesses that they have a responsibility to the greater community.

One might be tempted to wonder, does God really get involved in corporate success this way? Is the answer for a business to close on Sundays? (We shall leave aside the question about whether the Sabbath is really supposed to be Saturday, rather than Sunday.) Was God the inspiration behind the successful marketing campaign, whose slogan makes up the title - Eat Mor Chikin? This would be to miss the point of Cathy's stories, which, if there is a single point, would be to give thanks to God for his own success (something rarely done in business today, even by otherwise religious people) and to show through personal example some of the things one can do from this position of success.

A few questions that might have been addressed might include how a struggling business (vs. a successful one) can afford to incorporate these ideas, and how general principles can be integrated seamlessly into the mix without it becoming a problem. Overall this is an interesting book, a bit on the lighter side, and one to be read for enjoyment rather than business education.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you Mr. Cathy !
Review: This book is filled with nuggets on faith,life and business. He writes it in such a down home way that you feel connected to him and his family. I enjoyed the fact that he shared his faults along with his successes. There was no shame in making mistakes or being scared in business but he took every opportunity and that's saying a lot. I have a new found respect for Mr. Cathy and Chik Fil A. He truly tries to instill Christain values into business and he has shown us all that it works!!!