OCALA, FL (352today.com) – What if the secret to success in work, relationships, and life was as simple as a chicken sandwich?

Jeromy Williams, owner of both Chick-fil-A locations in Ocala, was the featured speaker at the Ocala Metro CEP exCEPtional Mornings March 19, 2025, at the Reilly Arts Center.

“The goal for me today is that you leave with something that is of value to you,” said Williams.

Hiring and leadership

Williams emphasized that success starts with entry-level employees.

“I’m the least important part of our organization. The most important part is that 16-or-15-year-old team member that’s on the front line interacting with you,” he said. His team dedicates significant resources to hiring and training, making sure that each member is the right fit.

Williams likened leadership to pruning a rose bush – identifying talent and directing resources appropriately. “We entrust these folks with small amounts to the business, and if they can’t lead self, then we’re never going to put them into a position to lead others.”

Community and collaboration

Nonprofits frequently request donations, but Williams highlighted the importance of mutual benefit. “If we both go into a venture thinking ‘nonprofit,’ we both will be nonprofit,” he explained. “Telling a business, ‘We’re going to put you on a t-shirt, and you’re going to be on our social media posts,’ – that doesn’t scratch any itch on a business. How we can advance each other with that movement and what the goal is?”

Culture and execution

Williams personally leads employee orientation. “I want them to hear it from me. I want to make that connection with them. One of the things that we spend a predominant amount of time on is the word ‘culture.'” He defines culture as “the collective thoughts, actions, and behaviors of a group,” adding that you can have a really great culture, or you can have a really toxic culture. “It’s up to that group of people who are together.”

Chick-fil-A’s culture is summarized in SQUAD: Stewardship, Quality, Accountability, Unity, and Delivering. “We talk a lot about stewardship, and we’re entrusted to time. We’re entrusted to equipment. We’re entrusted to you guys as guests at our restaurant. The Q is quality. Quality is actually in our name.”

“The goal for me today is that you leave with something that is of value to you,” said Williams.

He explains that “Chick” is, of course, is for chicken and “fil” is for filet. But where does the “A” come in? “What does the USDA stamp on its highest quality products? Grade A,” said Williams, pointing out that “quality” is, indeed, in the name.

“U stands for unity. Everything we do in our organization we’re going to do it together,” he said. “And then end with accountability.”

D is for delivering, said Williams. He says that his organization is going to show up with a plan.

Williams stressed the importance of intentional leadership. “If you don’t attack the day, the day is going to attack you. So, our leaders showing up without a game plan, without intentionality and being deliberate… the worst answer that they could give me in any scenario is, ‘I don’t know.’ If you don’t know and you’re delivering and you don’t know what’s creating it, you can’t recreate it.”

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