Chick-fil-A Operators Celebrate 177 Employees Graduating College Debt-Free
COLUMBUS, Ga. — In a remarkable milestone, 177 Chick-fil-A employees, including one operator, graduated from college debt-free through a pioneering employer-sponsored education program, as celebrated at Point University’s recent commencement ceremony in May 2025. This initiative, a partnership between over 120 Chick-fil-A operators, Point University, and Ficus Education, enabled these graduates to earn accredited degrees online while working at Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide, collectively avoiding over $6 million in student loan debt.
The program, which began in 2023 with a single operator’s vision, allows employees to pursue fully funded education through a subscription model managed by Ficus Education. More than 70 graduates walked the stage in person in Columbus, Georgia, joined by over a dozen supportive Chick-fil-A operators. Andre’ Kennebrew, chairman of the board at Point University and a former Chick-fil-A leader, hailed the initiative, stating, “This program is making dreams possible for so many people. It needs to double—one hundredfold.”
With national student loan debt surpassing $1.6 trillion and the average borrower facing $30,000 to $38,000 in loans, the program’s impact is significant. “Every graduate represents a story of perseverance, support, and opportunity,” said Doug Danowski, president of Ficus Education. “This is what it looks like when businesses champion education as a strategy for long-term growth.” The initiative not only supports career advancement within Chick-fil-A—some graduates aspire to become franchise operators—but also empowers employees to pursue diverse paths, such as medicine or law.
Posts on X echoed the enthusiasm, with @restaurantinnov noting, “177 Chick-fil-A team members earned accredited college degrees without taking on student debt, thanks to a growing national trend in employer-sponsored education.” The program aligns with Chick-fil-A’s broader Remarkable Futures initiative, which has invested over $215 million in scholarships since 1973, aiding more than 122,000 team members.
This achievement underscores a growing trend in the restaurant industry, where companies like Starbucks and Chipotle also offer tuition benefits to boost retention and employee development. For more details, visit Chick-fil-A’s official website or follow updates on X.
Sources: QSR Web, Fox News, 11alive.com, Chick-fil-A, posts on X