Bringing Their A-Game To Chick-fil-A

Shepherds College® students have made a significant impact in and through our local Chick-fil-A in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. Not only have students made a positive impact through the Occupational Experience (OE) program, but graduates currently work full-time to serve guests and team members alike.

As the Owner/Operator of the Pleasant Prairie Chick-fil-A, I am honored to express my gratitude and excitement for the work Shepherds College has performed to prepare these students to make a real difference in their communities. These students have reached incredible levels of performance despite their unique challenges.

In 2019, I opened our local Chick-fil-A, where I was introduced to Shepherds College. I was immediately endeared to the school’s drive to come alongside students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them reach their potential. I have participated in their annual fundraisers and board meetings. Our business has hosted several of their culinary classes within the restaurant for observing hospitality and quick service. These have been great opportunities, but our restaurant has been most impacted by students and graduates of Shepherds College who have worked to help us serve our guests.

One graduate, Matthew, was hired full-time in our front of house operations. He works our register, dining room, expediting window, shakes, and drinks, giving great attention to guests and his team around him. He came into our restaurant well-equipped to become a vital part of our team, largely because of his experiences at Shepherds College. In fact, our team members are excited when he is scheduled with them because they know his enthusiasm and strong work ethic will make the entire shift go better for everyone. He recently served as our pitcher for our Sunday Funday Kickball Tournament, where our team met for an afternoon of fun. Matthew is such an integral part of that team.

Each student brings their own strengths and weaknesses, but I have come to realize that all of them will be well-equipped to serve alongside us because of their training at Shepherds College.

A couple of years ago, we had Amber and, last year, PJ. Both of them were incredible! Amber came in with humility but also boldness. She is a natural leader, working circles around many of our team members. Determined to do things the right way, if Amber saw team members trying to take shortcuts, she would find a kind and often humorous way of ensuring they knew where they had missed the mark. Again, I give credit to Shepherds College for how well-equipped she was coming into our restaurant. I would have hired Amber immediately after graduation, but she had a real passion to be positioned in a career that allowed her to invest in others with unique challenges.

PJ brought our team such a cultural impact. He always had a smile on his face and worked very hard. In stressful moments when the kitchen seemed to be spinning out of control, he seemed focused and smiling. The team looked forward to the days he worked. Some even asked if there was any way that we could have PJ more than two days per week.

This semester, Eli joined us for his Occupational Experience. It is always sad to see our OE students leave for their next chapter, but it is exciting as we anticipate all the qualities the next student will bring. Eli will surely help our Chick-fil-A team grow, as we hopefully help him grow.

Throughout the years, we have had many team members come and go, but only a few provoke such enthusiasm when present and sadness upon departing like the Shepherds College students. Each student brings their own strengths and weaknesses, but I have come to realize that all of them will be well-equipped to serve alongside us because of their training at Shepherds College.