Why a suburban man opened a Chick-fil-A in Kildeer
An interview with Allen Ordeanu, co-owner of Chick-fil-A Kildeer.
Q: What made you decide to start a Chick-fil-A franchise?
A: Every time my family and I vacationed, we ate Chick-fil-A and always walked away impressed with the food and service. My journey with Chick-fil-A started in 2009 when I applied to become an operator. After one year in the interviewing process, I was selected for the management development program. For two years, I worked with Rob Morris, an owner in West Palm Beach, polishing my business skills and getting hands on experience. I went through a rotation of positions to understand all parts of the business. ... I craved the opportunity to lead my own business and to grow the Chick-fil-A brand in the Northwest suburbs where I grew up. I am so fortunate that my family and I have the opportunity to serve the suburbs and influence the community that I love so much at the Chick-fil-A in Kildeer, across the street from Deer Park Town Center.
Q: What did you do before launching the business?
A: For five years, I was a high school Spanish teacher in the suburbs. I absolutely loved the sense of accomplishment I would feel at the end of the year when assessing the growth and development of my students. I decided to become a Spanish teacher because I could effectively combine my love of languages and cultures along with my desire to make a difference in my students' lives. By being fluent in English, Romanian and Spanish, it gave me the opportunity to influence our multicultural society.
Q: What attracted you to Chick-fil-A?
A: I have always wanted to own my business and to be my own boss; I love the values and culture of Chick-fil-A; and Chick-fil-A provides me a platform to influence the lives of my team members and a platform to positively influence my community.
Q: What has been the most difficult part of starting the business?
A: The Chick-fil-A brand has only been in the area for only 5 years. We are still new to many people. We are the second restaurant in Lake County and we have only been open for about 9 months.
Q: If you could give one tip to someone just starting in the industry, what would it be?
A: I am a very passionate person, so I totally believe that passion Is Important! Wherever you are working and you bring passion to your work it can lay a foundation for success. Not just success in your current job, but also success for every facet of your life ... Steve Jobs sums it the best, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
Q: What is hot in the industry.
A: Starting next month guests will be able to order from their mobile devices. Mobile ordering includes increased functionality within the Chick-fil-A App that allows guests to place an order and pay in advance. Mobile ordering will be a two-year rollout in the chain — with half of the chain rolling out in 2015 and the other half in 2016.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time.
A: My wife, Delia and my two sons, Michael and Jack, are a very important part of my life. I have been blessed with two amazing sons, and I want to spend as much time with them and invest and serve them the best that I can. I will continue to be a mentor, coach and leader to them. As a family we love to travel, play all sorts of sports and spend quality time with friends and family.
Q: Tell us about community involvement.
A: The community is important to us. We were recently voted the No. 1 float in the Alpine parade in Lake Zurich. We will be the main sponsor for the 5K in Long Grove where we will give away 1,200 sausage biscuits and coupons. We also host many charity events for schools and sports organizations.
-Kim Mikus
Chick-fil-A Kildeer
Address: 20429 N. Rand Road, Kildeer
Owners: Allen and Delia Ordeanu