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| Dan Cathy, president of Chick-fil-A, will discuss “Issues in the Hospitality Industry in the Coming Decade” on Thursday, April 13, at 1 p.m., in the Wine Auditorium at the Collins School. |
Chick-fil-A President and Chief Operating Officer Dan Cathy will serve as the first of four speakers for the Spring 2006 Richard N. Frank Distinguished Lectureship Series, sponsored by the Collins School of Hospitality Management.
Cathy will discuss “Issues in the Hospitality Industry in the Coming Decade” on Thursday, April 13, at 1 p.m., in the Wine Auditorium, Building 79A-1263, at the Collins School. A reception will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch. To view a live broadcast of the presentation, click here for mid bandwidth or here for low bandwidth.
As president of one of the nation's largest family-owned businesses, Cathy represents the next generation of leadership for the Atlanta-based quick-service chicken restaurant chain founded by his father, S. Truett Cathy. Since May 2002, he has served as the president and COO of the 1,240-plus-unit chain, personally challenging himself with upholding Chick-fil-A's efforts to provide genuine, heartfelt hospitality, and ensuring that customers have an exceptional dining experience. Four major marketplace awards have recently affirmed the commitment and performance of Chick-fil-A operators and team members. In 2005, Chick-fil-A received Restaurant & Institutions magazines “Choice in Chains” award for the 11th time in 12 years. In 2004, Chick-fil-A was recognized as the “Best Drive-Thru in America” in QSR magazines “Drive-Thru Time Study,” was honored with Fast Company magazine's inaugural “Customer First” award, and was the highest rated quick-service chain in the south in J.D. Power and Associate's Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Other Distinguished Lecturers this quarter will include:
- April 20 — Peggy Tsiang Cherng, co-chair of Panda Restaurant Group
- May 11 — Ralph O. Brennan, president of Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
- May 16 — Joe Perdue, academic adviser, Club Managers Association of America
The Richard N. Frank Lectureship Series was established in 1988 to allow students a unique opportunity to hear directly from the industry's leaders and legends as they bring hospitality management to life through their own real-world experiences. Lawry's Restaurants Inc. Chairman Richard N. Frank, a long-standing advocate and supporter of the Collins School, donated a grant to establish an endowment creating the lectureship series.
All lectures are open to the public. Seating is limited. To reserve space, contact Sandra Pinedo in the Collins School at (909) 869-3646 or by e-mail at smpinedo@cpp.edu.