Hospitality Daily Podcast What Hotels Can Learn from Chick-fil-A's Culture of Excellence - Ryan Magnon, Ithaka Hospitality Partners
Nov 19, 2025
Ryan Magnon, Chief Operating Officer at Ithaka Hospitality Partners, shares insights from his 14 years at Chick-fil-A. He discusses the importance of a clear cultural purpose that aligns teams and maintains high standards of excellence. Ryan emphasizes how effective leadership can inspire employees and align individual goals with the company's mission. He also highlights the significance of studying performance to enhance operations and shares the innovative drive-thru consulting methods that turned challenges into opportunities during COVID.
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Purpose Drives Daily Meaning
- Chick-fil-A rallies employees around a clear purpose: serving and loving others unconditionally.
- That people-first purpose makes the work feel meaningful beyond the product sold.
High Standards Paired With High Support
- Chick-fil-A pairs uncompromising standards with a commitment to give a lot to team members.
- High expectations plus high support creates a culture where people willingly do hard work for excellence.
Audit Leadership For Inspirational Culture
- Evaluate whether your leadership creates a culture that inspires people to 'bust through that brick wall.'
- Align organizational goals with individual team members' goals and give them opportunities to grow.