Posts Tagged ‘business’

A few weeks ago we interviewed Brad Arton of the Chick-fil-A at the Mall of Louisiana. He told us about the exciting remodeling plans remodeling they were looking forward to. Well, today Chick-fil-A reopened after a week of closure for remodeling. It’s really impressive and a nice new face to the business. There’s much fanfare going on, so head down to the Mall today to check it out.

Baton Rouge is home to many cool people who are doing exciting things within and outside of our great city. We like to showcase these Baton Rougeans, so we have an ongoing series where we interview these local rockstars. Our last interview was with Richard Felix, Jr, a local web developer who is doing awesome things. Today, we interviewed Brad Arton, the owner/operator of the Mall of Louisiana Chick-fil-A.

I first met Brad years ago when my passion for good chicken and respect for good enterprise manifested in an undying love for Chick-fil-A. He gave me my first job and since then my family and I have been active members of the Chick-fil-A community. Brad is a really great guy and in every way he embodies the mantra of Chick-fil-A. It was a pleasure to once again sit down with Brad and talk to him about Chick-fil-A, his involvement in our community and the exciting future of his store.

Brad, how long have you lived in the Baton Rouge community?

7 years

What attracted you to Chick-fil-A and how did you first get involved with the company?

My father has owned and operated the Chick-fil-As in Lafayette for over 30 years now. Growing up in CFA, I knew that I was called to be a part of the company because of it’s principles and the foundation in which Truett Cathy (the Founder), built his business. I worked for my father throughout high school and occasionally for CFA Inc. through college running company owned stores in different parts of the country. An opportunity came up for me to have my own store and I took advantage of it. I have now been operating my own units for 11 years.

Why did you ultimately chose Baton Rouge for your business?

Baton Rouge is a great place to grow economically. We have great diverse industries that have allowed us to be known as one of the best recession proof cities in the country, but my family and I are also overwhelmed by hospitality of friends and neighbors as well as the various opportunities to get involved in different organizations that range from civic to charitable to educational opportunities. It is a great place for our kids to grow up and we are proud to be a part of such a community.

I understand that you recently won a prestigious award from Chick-fil-A. Can you tell me a little about that?

We really need to thank the people in the Baton Rouge area for “Eating More Chicken”! Because of them, we were recognized in 2006 with a Ford Automobile and again in 2009 as inaugural members of the “Champions Club” that recognizes units for exceptional “all-around” performances!

Chick-fil-A is very involved in our community—and not only in economic terms. Can you tell me what exactly you’re involved in?

Truett Cathy also founded the WinShape organization that has a variety of programs that include foster parenting, summer camps, and marital enrichment. Those efforts encourage Chick-fil-A Operators to promote and implement programs locally that focus on those same principles. Here at the Chick-fil-A at the Mall of Louisiana, we do programs like “Mommy and Me” that gives parents an opportunity to have a fun and educational outing with their children. We promote our “Core Essentials Program” in local schools that rewards children for displaying certain positive virtues. We also enjoy partnering with local charities like Cystic Fibrosis, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and other foundations that seek cures and resources for diseases and hardships that affect so many of us. Of course, we are involved in the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and enjoy partnering with other businesses in the area to cross promote each other’s products and services.

I also understand that you have a personal philanthropic interest. What’s the story there?

My 3 year old son, Christopher has a congenital heart disease called Tetrology of Fallot that required him to have open heart surgery when he was 2 months old. Since then, Julie [his wife] and I have donated a great deal of time, efforts and money to help support families in our community that are affected by similar diseases. As committee members for the Louisiana Pediatric Cardiology Foundation, we host an annual fundraising Tennis Tournament at the County Club of Louisiana. All funds generated at this event go to support families right here in our area.

What’s your favorite aspect of our community?

Louisiana in general has a great influence of different cultures. Baton Rouge seems to be the common ground that they all gravitate towards. I am proud to be a part of a city of different cultural backgrounds that is resilient in tough economic times yet never looses it’s identity. Anyone who visits us knows that LSU Sports reigns as the number one pastime and that they will be exposed to some of the best heritage and hospitality,and food that this country has to offer.

Outside of Chick-fil-A, what do you spend your time doing?

As the father of 3 young boys, we spend a lot of time around playing and watching sports, as well as school and church activities. My wife and I are also involved in several networks of friends and associates that we spend free time with as well.

How did you first hear about the Baton Rougean?

The Baton Rougean is a great resource of information for what’s happening in our community. I was introduced through Logan Leger. Logan is a close friend to the Chick-fil-A Family and we are proud to see his efforts generate such a positive influence on the community. I enjoy reading the updates of the Baton Rougean on Twitter and I am confident that it represents our community in a way that makes it’s citizens proud!

Can you tell us about any exciting things happening at your store soon?

On May 30th we will close our store for 6 days to do a complete remodel on it. We will reopen on June 6th with a fresh new look as well as a new “Recipe for Service”! We will have lots of promotional activities throughout the summer so be on the lookout!

Thanks for your time, Brad!

For more from Brad, including free chicken giveaways, follow him on Twitter @bdarton. Also, we’ll keep you updated with information about the new store and the ensuing celebratory giveaways.

[If you have any suggestions for our Cool People in Baton Rouge series, hit up our tip line.]

Raising Cane’s is a beloved member of our community. Started by a former LSU student, Cane’s first restaurant is still operating right outside the gates of LSU (and it made the list of recommendations of restaurants near LSU). They’ve been operating out of Baton Rouge for the past twelve years—since day one. I was very surprised to learn that they’ve recently decided to move their main operations to Plano, Texas (Plano Star-Courier; Dallas Business Journal). At first, I was shocked, but then I was upset. I felt betrayed and abandoned. They’re taking a lot out of our economy—the economy that helped start the company. And with them goes at least 35 jobs. I’ve already received word from people who’ve been directly affected by this. They’re hurting the same community that Todd Graves, the founder, raves about on their about page. He said: “The community response was overwhelming and I wanted to make sure Cane’s gave back to the community that was supporting my dream.” (RaisingCanes.com) It’s been great having Cane’s in the community, and they did give back, but now they’re baselessly inflicting a severe wound upon this community. Needless to say, I am confused and bewildered.

The articles I’ve read say that it’s because it’s a more central location for their business, but I can’t imagine that this is the real reason. After all, Baton Rouge supports a fortune 500 company and another fortune 1000 company, which is a lot bigger than Cane’s approximate $100 million enterprise.

I reached out to the company via Twitter. I asked them twice to respond to this and give me something—anything. I received nothing but an emphatic “No, please don’t boycott us.” So, now it’s time for me to publicly call them out. This is absurd, Cane’s, and if you expect my continued passionate patronization, then you at least owe me an explanation.

So, Cane’s, how are you going to ameliorate this situation?

Note that this is officially coming from the enterprise of the Baton Rougean and not just me. As Baton Rouge’s first and only hyperlocal news site, it is our duty to give the community a public voice—something that traditional news bureaus either can’t or won’t do. Someone must stand up for the injustices inflicted upon our community when no one else will. And yeah, maybe those words are a little harsher than this situation calls for, but I’m just setting up our official policy for the future when something else happens. I’m not saying anything negative about Cane’s. In fact, I love Cane’s and this might legitimately be a shrewd business decision, I really don’t know. It’s just not excusable to extract 35 jobs from a community that you connect yourself with. It’s also not excusable that you do this and then proffer no explanation.