Chick-fil-A Employees Graduate Debt-Free Through Unique Program

Some employees at Chick-fil-A have celebrated graduating from debt-free universities, thanks to a unique partnership formed between independent Chick-fil-A operators, Point University, and Ficus Education. This year, 177 employees earned their degrees while working at various locations across the country, which was reported on a restaurant industry website.

At Point University, a private Christian institution in Georgia, over 70 Chick-fil-A employees took part in a recent graduation ceremony.

Many Chick-fil-A operators attended the event. Doug Danowski from Ficus Education mentioned that this initiative began in 2023 from a single operator’s desire to provide his team with the chance to earn a university degree without incurring debt.

“That initial decision really set everything into motion,” he said.

This program, supported by Ficus Education, allows staff from independently operated Chick-fil-A restaurants to earn their degrees online through Point University without needing to pay tuition out of pocket. They don’t have to worry about student loans either.

Danowski noted that what started as a simple wish to invest in a team developed into a national initiative, helping hundreds avoid around $11 million in student debt, which significantly impacts their business.

According to Danowski, over 500 independent Chick-fil-A operators have joined the program, with some operators even covering tuition as part of a recruitment strategy to attract and retain staff.

“The whole idea is to explore how we can help operators attract, develop, and keep their employees while also strengthening their restaurants,” he explained.

Danowski highlighted that through Point University, Chick-fil-A team members were able to graduate with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. André Kennebrew, the chairman of Point University’s Board of Trustees, remarked at the graduation that this opportunity helps team members advance in their careers, with some aspiring to eventually open their own franchises.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, federal student debt now exceeds $1.6 trillion. The initiative at Chick-fil-A has allowed these graduates to avoid over $6 million in debt, especially relevant now that student loan collections have resumed.

Kennebrew expressed his commitment to the program, stating, “This is worth continuing… This is worth growing.”