Dan Cathy Net Worth

What is Dan Cathy's Net Worth?

Dan Cathy is an American businessman with a net worth of $8 billion. He serves as the chairman of Chick-fil-A, a fast-food restaurant chain founded by his father, S. Truett Cathy. Initially, Chick-fil-A was owned equally by Dan, his brother Bubba Cathy, and their father. After Truett's death in 2014, Dan and Bubba became equal owners.

Chick-fil-A boasts over 2,900 locations and generates more than $6 billion in annual revenue. The Atlanta-based chain is famously closed on Sundays.

Early Life

Daniel Truett Cathy was born on March 1, 1953, in Jonesboro, Georgia, as the first child of Jeanette and S. Truett Cathy. His father had recently opened a restaurant called Dwarf House. Dan has a brother, Bubba, and a sister, Trudy. The family also fostered numerous children over the years.

During the 1960s, while attending local schools, Cathy began doing radio commercials for the Dwarf House restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia. Around this time, his father started establishing more restaurants in Georgia, which marked the beginning of the Chick-fil-A franchise.

Chick-fil-A

Dan Cathy graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and started working full-time as director of operations for Chick-fil-A. He was promoted to chairman and CEO in 2013.

In late 2021, Dan stepped down as CEO but remained Chairman of the Board. Chick-fil-A now has over 2,900 stores, which are closed on Sundays. The business is led by second and third-generation family members, with Dan and Don "Bubba" Cathy at the helm. The Cathy family has an $11 billion fortune.

Despite being closed on Sundays, Chick-fil-A broke tradition in December 2015 for a good cause. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport lost power, stranding thousands of passengers. Mayor Kasim Reed called upon Chick-fil-A to deliver sandwiches to an emergency operations center. Chick-fil-A responded by donating over 5,000 meals. This act of service is emblematic of the company’s commitment to community support.

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Personal Life

Dan Cathy is married and has two children. The family resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

Cathy holds honorary doctorates from the University of West Georgia, Anderson College, Carver College, and Pepperdine University. His family runs the WinShape Foundation, a non-profit supporting various Southern Baptist ministries.

He once spoke about racism and repentance at Atlanta's Passion City Church and shined the shoes of African-American musician Lecrae Moore, emphasizing the need for an "apologetic heart."

Controversy

Cathy's stance against same-sex marriage has caused significant controversy. In 2011, tax records revealed that Chick-fil-A operators, the WinShape Foundation, and the Cathy family spent millions to oppose same-sex marriage initiatives and support conversion therapy. Although Cathy later called it a mistake for the WinShape Foundation to engage in such political and social issues, he continued to fund campaigns aligned with his ideological views.

In June 2019, reports surfaced that the National Christian Charitable Foundation (NCF), to which Cathy is a major donor, was financing opposition to the Equality Act.