A Growing Tradition of Investing in Futures
In a landmark year for educational giving, Chick-fil-A, Inc. has announced it awarded over $27 million in scholarships to more than 15,000 restaurant Team Members and community leaders in 2025, making this the largest annual investment in the company’s scholarship program to date.
Through the Remarkable Futures™ Scholarships, Chick-fil-A continues to fulfill a promise that began more than 70 years ago with a humble gesture of kindness and a mayonnaise jar labeled “Eddie’s College Fund.” In 1948, Eddie White, a hardworking teen at the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia, found an unexpected champion in restaurant owner Truett Cathy. Cathy’s personal check to help White attend college sparked what would eventually grow into one of the most impactful scholarship programs in the quick-service restaurant industry.
Now, that spirit of generosity lives on in bold fashion.
Supporting Dreams from Puerto Rico to Canada
This year’s announcement shines a spotlight on Team Member Nileika Cherena, who made history as the first $25,000 scholarship recipient in Puerto Rico. Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew T. Cathy personally surprised Cherena at Chick-fil-A La Rambla in Ponce with her award check. This is one of several personal presentations he made to celebrate this milestone year.
“In 2025, we are proud to invest in more lives than ever before,” said Cathy. “The growth of scholarship giving at Chick-fil-A reflects our belief in the power of education to transform lives. We are honored to support these exceptional students as they pursue their educational aspirations and look forward to seeing how they make a positive impact in their communities.”
In total, 13 restaurant Team Members received $25,000 scholarships, while over 15,000 others across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada were awarded scholarships of up to $2,500. Additionally, 12 Community Scholars were recognized for their leadership and service, each of whom received $25,000 as part of a $300,000 commitment to changemakers outside the restaurant walls.
Honoring a Legacy, Empowering the Future
From its humble beginnings in 1973, when the formal scholarship program was founded, Chick-fil-A has awarded over $215 million to more than 122,000 Team Members. The company also exceeded its corporate social responsibility goal of impacting 50,000 Team Member lives through education from 2020 to 2025, reaching 69,000 and counting.
Notably, a 2024 survey of Chick-fil-A restaurant Team Member Scholarship recipients revealed that 21.3% of scholarship recipients were first-generation college students, reflecting the brand’s wide-reaching impact on families and future leaders.
The scholarships are up-front awards, applicable to any accredited institution, from vocational schools to four-year universities. No minimum tenure is required to apply, making the opportunity accessible to full- or part-time employees at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
As Chick-fil-A expands globally, with its first U.K. location opening this year and a Singapore debut planned for late 2025, its commitment to education travels with it. They are a beacon of the values that began with a handshake, a community, heart and one jar of hope.
