Andrew Cathy is the chief executive of Chick-fil-A, the family owned chicken chain that his grandfather started. He is in the news this week after his first broadcast interview on NBC’s Today show on October 14, 2026. This article tells you who he is, what he has done as CEO, why the interview is getting attention, and what is not public.
Who Is Andrew Cathy and Why It Matters
Andrew T. Cathy is the third generation of his family to lead Chick-fil-A. His grandfather, S. Truett Cathy, started the business in 1946 and opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in 1967 in a mall in Atlanta. His father, Dan Cathy, ran the company as CEO from 2013 and is now its chairman. Andrew became CEO on November 1, 2021.
He did not start at the top. He joined the company in 2005 as a restaurant operator in St. Petersburg, Florida. Later he worked as the chief people officer and, from 2019, as executive vice president of operations before he was named CEO.
He matters because Chick-fil-A is one of the biggest names in American fast food, and it is still owned by one family. That is rare for a company of its size. What he decides about growth, technology and company values affects thousands of workers and millions of customers.
| Detail | What is known |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew Truett Cathy |
| Job | CEO of Chick-fil-A |
| Became CEO | November 1, 2021 |
| Age | About 48 (as reported in October 2026) |
| Father | Dan Cathy, chairman of Chick-fil-A |
| Grandfather | S. Truett Cathy, founder |
Andrew Cathy Current Status: Why He Is Trending
As of October 15, 2026, Andrew Cathy is trending because of his first broadcast interview, which aired on NBC’s Today show on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. He sat down with co-host Craig Melvin to talk about the chain’s growth, its faith roots and its future. They also talked about the family history and why the restaurants close on Sundays.
Much of the attention came from one part of the talk. Melvin asked what he would say to people who protested the company because they felt it did not stand with the LGBTQ plus community. That question goes back to 2012, when his father, Dan Cathy, told a Baptist newspaper that the company supported the Bible’s view of the family, which set off protests. Andrew Cathy invited anyone who had not tried the restaurants to come in, and said everyone is welcome. Asked more than once for a company position, he said the company is focused on hospitality.
Reactions split. The Washington Times reported that celebrities such as Katie Couric, Valerie Bertinelli and Chelsea Handler criticized his answers. Some conservative media, such as NewsBusters, criticized the interviewer instead and said the questions focused too much on the family’s Christian roots. Both views are public, and readers can watch the interview and decide for themselves.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1946 | S. Truett Cathy started the business |
| 2005 | Andrew Cathy joined as a restaurant operator |
| November 1, 2021 | Andrew Cathy became CEO |
| October 4 to 5, 2026 | CNBC interview where he ruled out an IPO |
| October 14, 2026 | First broadcast interview on NBC’s Today show |
Just days before the Today interview, he told CNBC that Chick-fil-A will stay private and family owned, with no plans for an IPO or outside investment. He said, “We’re able to plan for the quarter century,” meaning the family can think long term instead of quarter to quarter. Reports said the chain’s revenue rose 14 percent to $10.3 billion in 2025, and that it opened 179 restaurants last year.
What to Know About Andrew Cathy
Early Life and Family Background
Andrew Cathy grew up inside the Chick-fil-A family. His father is Dan Cathy and his grandfather was the founder, S. Truett Cathy, who died in 2014. His aunt and uncle, Trudy Cathy White and Bubba Cathy, also hold roles at the company. Details such as his hometown and childhood are not widely shared in reliable sources, so we will not guess them.
Career
Cathy started in 2005 as a restaurant operator and moved through several jobs, including chief people officer and executive vice president of operations. As CEO, he has pushed measured growth. He has described the plan as careful and slow rather than fast. The company now has restaurants in markets such as Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
He has also said Chick-fil-A will not use AI voice ordering in its drive thru lanes, because he wants to protect the warm feel of the visit. He told CNBC the company has a “human plus” view of technology. He also said portion sizes will not be cut to save money.
| Topic | What he has said or done |
|---|---|
| Ownership | No IPO, the company stays family owned |
| Technology | No AI voice ordering at the drive thru |
| Growth | Careful expansion at home and abroad |
| New ideas | Red Wagon Ventures, an internal group for new businesses |
| Examples | Daybright, a drink focused cafe, and Acrew Home Professionals, a home repair service |
Age
His exact birth date is not public. He was reported as 43 when he was named CEO in 2021, and a report in October 2026 puts him at 48.
Religion
Chick-fil-A says its purpose is to glorify God and be a faithful steward of what is entrusted to it, and Cathy called that purpose the company’s anchor in the Today interview. The restaurants are also closed on Sundays. His own church and personal faith details are not stated in the sources checked.
Wife/Husband
Andrew Cathy is a man, so the question is about his wife. His wife and children are not named in the reliable sources we checked, and some small websites give names without proof. We will not repeat unconfirmed names.
Net Worth
There is no confirmed personal net worth for Andrew Cathy. The company is privately held and does not publish owner wealth, so any exact figure is a guess. What is reported is that Chick-fil-A made $10.3 billion in revenue in 2025.
Parents
His father is Dan Cathy, the chairman of Chick-fil-A, who was born on March 1, 1953, and was CEO from 2013 to 2021. His mother’s details are not covered in the reliable sources we checked.
Height
His height has not been stated in the sources checked, and we will not guess it.
Education
His college and degrees are not confirmed in the reliable sources we checked. One small profile site names a school, but I could not verify it, so I am leaving it out.
State of Origin
His own birthplace is not confirmed. The family business is based in Georgia, in the Atlanta area, and his grandfather came from that state.
Social Media Links
We did not find a verified personal social media account for him. These pages are the best places to follow his work:
- Chick-fil-A page on its family leaders
- NBC News video of his Today interview
- CNBC story on family ownership and growth
- Chick-fil-A on Wikipedia
Andrew Cathy FAQ
Who is Andrew Cathy?
He is the CEO of Chick-fil-A and the grandson of its founder, S. Truett Cathy.
When did Andrew Cathy become CEO of Chick-fil-A?
He became CEO on November 1, 2021, taking over from his father, Dan Cathy.
How old is Andrew Cathy?
His birth date is not public. He was 43 when named CEO in 2021 and is reported to be 48 in October 2026.
Is Andrew Cathy related to Dan Cathy?
Yes. Dan Cathy is his father and the chairman of Chick-fil-A.
Why is Andrew Cathy trending?
He gave his first broadcast interview on NBC’s Today show on October 14, 2026, and his answer to a question about LGBTQ plus rights drew wide reaction.
Will Chick-fil-A go public?
No. Cathy told CNBC the company will stay private and family owned, with no plans for an IPO.
Is there an Andrew Cathy Wikipedia page?
My checks did not find a dedicated page. He is named as CEO on the Chick-fil-A Wikipedia page.
What is Andrew Cathy’s net worth?
No reliable source gives a confirmed figure, so any exact number is a guess.
Final Word
Andrew Cathy has spent his career inside Chick-fil-A, from running a single restaurant to leading a company with more than $10 billion in yearly sales. He leads a business built by his grandfather and shaped by his father, and he has said the plan is to keep it private and family owned.
If you searched for an Andrew Cathy Wikipedia page, you now have the main facts in one place. This week his name is in the news because of one TV interview. How people judged that interview depends on what they hoped to hear, and both praise and criticism are part of the record.
Be careful with websites that claim to know his wife, school or net worth without proof. When a detail is missing, it is better to say it is unknown. We will update this article as new facts come from the company or trusted outlets.
