Have you ever noticed that some of the greatest things in life start out small?  I find it very interesting to learn about how a person or business got their start.  I enjoy hearing their stories to understand their backgrounds and how they achieved success. 

Last weekend, Cavin and I went to Atlanta to visit our two older kids.  I was hoping we would have a chance to make the short drive to Hapeville which is a city near the Atlanta airport.  You see, I wanted to visit The Dwarf House.  The diner was given its name because of the small size of the building.  It was started in 1946 by a name you may recognize – Truett Cathy.

Upon arriving at The Dwarf House in Hapeville, it was fun to explore its history and enjoy all the extras they have to offer. There are hula hoops on the lawn for kids to enjoy. My 24-year-old kid even gave it a try! There is a bronze statue of Truett Cathy sitting on a bench, so of course, I had to take advantage of the photo opportunity. There’s even a menu from the original Dwarf House that lists the prices. I could get used to a Pimento Cheese Sandwich for 20 cents, and Cavin would have steak every day at a price of 65 cents! The truth is, I would probably never cook because we would eat every meal at The Dwarf House!

The original building is no longer standing. The current building was constructed to have the feel of the a diner with a more modern look. Half of the building is just like a normal Chick-Fil-A.  The other half is representative of the diner as it was when it opened in 1946.  They still serve some of the original menu items, but unfortunately, the prices have gone up!

We opted to sit in the diner side of the building where the customers get full-service treatment.  Some of the items we ordered were the Dwarf Burger and Loaded Waffle Fries piled high on the plate and topped with bacon crumbles, signature pimento cheese, and chicken nuggets. These items were fun to try, but I’m glad that Truett Cathy pushed forward to perfect the Chick-Fil-A Sandwich.  And more than that, I’m thankful for the culture of service that he built through this company.  

Truett Cathy built his company on high ideals.  It was more about the customer than just making money.  He preached to his employees… “We should be about more than just selling chicken. We should be a part of our customers’ lives and the communities in which we serve.”  Even at that time, I see this as a revolutionary business model for a restaurant.

At the time The Dwarf House opened, it was a simple restaurant that served Dwarf Burgers, Giant Burgers, and their famous Hot Brown which is a mixture of chicken, cream sauce, cheese, and bacon.  Some other staples included macaroni and cheese, fried okra, and cole slaw along with desserts like lemon, chocolate, or coconut pie.  

It was in this small place that a big idea was born.  It was in this very location where Truett Cathy perfected his boneless chicken sandwich.  The customers in the diner tasted the sandwich.  Cathy tweaked it until he reached perfection in 1964. I find it very interesting to note that even at the beginning, the customers played a big role in the development of Truett Cathy’s famous chicken sandwich – which we know today as the Chick-Fil-A Sandwich!

Hapeville, Georgia may be the original location of The Dwarf House and future Chick-Fil-A, but Atlanta has truly embraced this “giant” of a company. When I think of Atlanta, one of the things I think of is Chick-Fil-A with 41 restaurants throughout the Atlanta area and a total of 212 locations in the entire state of Georgia, not to mention the many others throughout the United States.

In the Atlanta area, Chick-Fil-A is a common meeting spot for business or pleasure.  During the years that we lived there, it was where we went every Wednesday night after church. It was also an awesome place to have a ladies’ breakfast on a Saturday morning. It’s the go-to place for any meal (or ice cream!) any day of the week…. any day, that is, except Sunday… since they are closed to allow employees to worship and spend time with their families.

I could often be found in the Chick-Fil-A drive-thru lane if I was in a hurry and needed a quick meal.   When my kids were young, it was where I gathered with other moms so the kids could play and the moms could have some much-needed adult conversation.  I actually met one of my very best friends hanging out at a Chick-Fil-A many years ago when our kids were young! And just to keep the tradition going, I actually met her at a Chick-Fil-A this week before leaving town!

Strong friendships are built with the people you break bread with  – or in this case – the people you break chicken with!  During these times, friends become family through the rawness of everyday life. It is in those times that you truly live life together as you share a joy or struggle you are going through, laugh, pray or even cry together.

But the relationships don’t stop there. The operators and servers and greeters go the extra mile for their customers. They are treated respectfully and with a smile. To each “Thank you”, an employee responds genuinely with, “My pleasure!” It’s where Truett Cathy’s words are put into action and the employees become part of the customers’ lives in the communities where they serve. I believe Truett Cathy would be proud of the legacy he has left behind.

I have to wonder if the chicken sandwich would have been a big deal if the customers were not treated as though they were a big deal!  And the employees are still living by that principle that is engrained into the company’s culture.  An even greater principle that Truett Cathy based his life on and established his company is this:  “To glorify God by being a faithful steward to all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.”  And come to think of it… that’s the principle I want my life to be built on as well!

It was my pleasure to visit The Dwarf House in Hapeville, Georgia!

Sampling the South…. one Chick-Fil-A at a time!