Cross Roads Podcast
Cross Roads Podcast
Introducing Shawn Self, Owner of Chick-fil-A here in Cross Roads, Texas
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Cross Roads Podcast for those who want to be in the know Good morning Cross Roads, on the show today we have Cross Roads Chick fil A owner, Shawn Self. I want to thank you, Shawn for coming on the show today. Why don't you tell us a little about yourself and how you became an owner of a Chick fil A restaurant?
Shawn Self:Absolutely. It's my pleasure. As an avid consumer of podcasts, it is absolutely a dream come true to actually be on one. So that's very fun. But yes, my name is Shawn self. I have been married my lovely wife, Angela for 14 years. We have three lovely kiddos, Arden my son is nine and then we have twin girls, Katherine and Evelyn, who are both six and whom I am completely dependent on upon my wife to be the sole disciplinary of because they have me wrapped around their fingers. They're awesome. Been with Chick fil A for about 22 going on 23 years. It's the only job I've ever had started as a team member when I was 16 years old in Georgia in a restaurant there and just worked there for about 11 years, became a general manager moved on and started working for Chick fil A corporate for a couple years as what's called an interim manager. There's not many non franchised Chick Fil A's but we would come in and run cup corporately owned stores. And after that I was able I was young didn't have any entrepreneurial experience. But I was able to talk Chick fil A into allowing me to be the franchisee of a Chick fil A in the mall of Abilene in Abilene, Texas for a couple years it was losing money. And so they said, you know, we feel like you are perfectly qualified to lose money for us. So why don't you go over there and and show us what you can do. And so we did that for a couple years did a great job. And then the dream was to come over here to North Dallas. And that happened in 2016 when we opened up in crossroads, Texas.
Steven Killfoil:Well, Shawn, first I want to thank and I know the town wants to thank you for choosing Cross Roads to have your restaurant. So what made you decide personally, to choose our town for the location?
Shawn Self:Yeah, I actually hadn't heard of Cross Roads when we were in Abilene. And we were thinking about applying to try to be a franchisee of a standalone store with a drive thru and all that in Dallas, but we decided to go and look, Chick fil A is very specific on where they build restaurants. And so we decided to go look at where they were looking at potentially putting some Chick fil A restaurants. And that one just really spoke to us. We're both very Spirit filled people, believers in Jesus. And so we felt like as we prayed through things that crossroads was where we were meant to be. And so that's where we ended up there.
Steven Killfoil:We're glad you came. And always welcome. How long have you been in the restaurant and hospitality business?
Shawn Self:Yeah, as I'm, as I mentioned, I started as a 16 year old and so it's all I've ever known is Chick fil A I enjoyed the fast pace and the great team we had as a young person, and then just learning leadership and never knew I was going to make Chick fil A my career. But when the opportunity came to work for corporate and then have our own franchise, that was a dream come true.
Steven Killfoil:Oh, yes, indeed. I worked in the hospitality and restaurant business for a better part of 10 years off and on with Darden Corporation. And I've been with Greek owned restaurants. So I really have a respect and appreciation for a restauratours. Because I know that is a very, very challenging and demanding position to have no matter what level you're at. Oh, yeah. Because John Q Public can be wonderful and well, not so wonderful. But that's what coupons and free desserts were for. Right?
Shawn Self:Absolutely makes everything better.
Steven Killfoil:Yeah. Well, many businesses have had to deal with the construction here on the 380 corridor or how has that construction affected your business?
Shawn Self:Yeah, so differently at different times. Obviously when they were working right in front of our entrance that was a challenge. People would have to drive past us go into Rosas come all the way around to get into the restaurant and many just chose not to. We've been kind of stagnant for about the past three years when a Chick fil A as a whole have seen just phenomenal growth. And so I look forward to The construction being finished. Because every Chick fil A operator I've taught to when road construction finishes, just hold on, because it is something
Steven Killfoil:It's going to skyrocket and take off. Yeah. And then also with a new high school being built just down the road, that's going to help a lot.
Shawn Self:For sure. Yeah, we're definitely excited about the high school. I served on the Citizens Advisory Council for for that high school. And we're just excited to have something behind us. But especially at school, we partner with at least 1112 elementary schools in the area. We love partnering with schools as our strategic, like, how do we get back to the community? And so to have a high school back there, it's just gonna be fun.
Steven Killfoil:Yeah, Cindy, I know, Chick fil A is very actively involved in the communities. And we really appreciate you guys being here. And Cross Roads. So it's wonderful. So how can the town of Cross Roads help you and your business? If you had one request for the town council? What would it be?
Shawn Self:Well, as a business owner, I felt like the town has been phenomenal. They've always been encouraging and a blessing. When I moved into the area, the only request was that I had not to put a Chick fil A cow mascot at the intersection in Cross Roads. And so other than that, there has been no asks from the city. But they've just been phenomenal and very encouraging. But as a parent and somebody who employs families, I love what they're doing with like the Crossroads Founders Day, and just bringing in possibly a town square. And so just continue to move in that direction of having fun events for families to make memories and be a part of,
Steven Killfoil:Oh, absolutely. And I love that little cow costume that that every time I met the park and you guys are there, it's it's fun, especially in the holiday in the parks. Those are really a blast. How did Chick fil A come about with that idea of Eat more chicken with the cows?
Shawn Self:Yeah, so that's actually an interesting story. Back I think it was 1995. The Richards group which is actually in Dallas, came up with several different marketing strategies. Most of them involved a chicken we had up into that point had a mascot named doodles, the chicken, I still have a doodles, the chicken tie that I'll wear on occasion. But they they said we have all these ideas. But we also have this one that maybe you should consider its cows. They don't work for Chick fil A. They're just on their own self preservation mission. And so they want to support Chick fil A and they want encourage people to eat more chicken. They don't spell great, but they're passionate. And Steve Robinson, our Vice President of Marketing at the time love the idea and it took off. It was great.
Steven Killfoil:Oh, yeah. Every time you see one of those commercials or even in the ads in the in the media, it's it's it gives you a smile on your face. Yeah, that's a fun, or even the billboards.
Shawn Self:Yeah. giant billboard counting my workshop. Currently, we used to have a billboard off three ad so now resides in my workshop at home. Oh, my.
Steven Killfoil:That is great. Well, Shawn, are you excited that Cross Roads is getting its very own high school? And do you think it will definitely help increase your business in the long run?
Shawn Self:Oh, yeah, for sure. I'm definitely excited to have anything behind us. When we first moved to the area, I had assumed there would be some destination shopping or something that would move a little bit quicker. And so when we heard that they were building potentially high school, that was even a better win win. Because I feel like that there's just some great visibility parents come in for game days. It's just a convenient place to eat while you're doing things. And so I'm excited just to be a part of the part of the High School.
Steven Killfoil:Excellent. So what are some of the challenges you face as a business owner here in Cross Roads?
Shawn Self:The challenges currently really just have to do with the road construction and the fact that we've not yet developed out which I think we have a great plan for doing so and bringing sustainable business to the 380 corridor while keeping residential sacred and great spaces for green spaces. And so I'm excited about the growth that's coming. I'm just excited for the road construction to finish.
Steven Killfoil:I think we can all agree upon that. My my poor wife, she has to wake up at 430 in the morning to get on the road and she doesn't even bother with 380 She'll just take 720 down to Eldorado then hook up on the Dallas North Tollway and you're trying to go that direction is even if at five o'clock in the morning. It's it's challenging.
Shawn Self:Yeah, it's insane.
Steven Killfoil:I think they're doing a pretty good job. Christy is keeping everybody up to current events on the construction progress. Anytime there's been a snag, they've jumped right on it and got it taken care of. Like you said you had the challenges with the entrance to your business being diverted over to roses cafe and I think TX dot has done a phenomenal job and keeping everybody happy. On the corridor, and being able to keep the construction rolling. Yeah, I was just and I'm watching it day by day, and it's getting better and better. They've actually got concrete and pavement down. So that's exciting. That means it's very soon to come. But I think I need to get Mr. Williams back on the podcast again and get an update on what he thinks they're going to be finished. Because I remember last time I interviewed him, at the beginning of this year, they projected an estimate of completion in our our town on our on our part of the 380 corridor to be approximately 2026. I mean, totally done with up and overs and everything. Wow, that's cool. I'm like, Okay, we're getting ready to go into 2024. And so I figured if I get Mr. Williams on, and he'll give me an update, everybody will be happy, because I think I think they're actually ahead of schedule.
Shawn Self:That's awesome. Yeah. Which a lot of those TXDOT guys eat at our store. They're phenomenal. They're doing a great job. It's just a big project.
Steven Killfoil:Oh, yeah, it's huge. And it's something that they should have done. Long time ago, probably. But, you know, hindsight is 2020, as I say. So tell me, what changes do you expect to see? Or would you like to see in Cross Roads five years from now?
Shawn Self:So five years from now, I would love to see us at least starting on that plan for a town square. I just think that that's awesome. We live personally in PowerPoint, they have a cute little town square up there. And it's just a delightful place to host events and make memories and just walk around. And so I'm excited if we could start that. But I know that cost money. And so we'll see if we're able to do that. But that'd be fun. And hopefully by five years from now, that road construction should be done.
Steven Killfoil:Yeah, well, they're gonna have the there's always new construction. But there's Commissioner Williams said that the 377 is going to be expanded to six lanes.
Shawn Self:Yeah, I've heard that. I've talked to a few business owners County. Yeah. And it's, yeah, they're not excited about that on 377. But, you know, it's good for business long term.
Steven Killfoil:Definitely. Definitely. You know, Monica, David, right. Yeah, I'm gonna have her on the podcast, and she's gonna help promote the Oktoberfest coming up. Nice. So we're looking forward to that. Yeah, I've known Monica since I got involved with the garage door theater up there. So she's a sweetheart. Oh, she is lover to death. Definitely. Well, is there anything that that I may have missed that you'd like to add today?
Shawn Self:You know, the only thing I'd like to say is to encourage people to continue to eat more chicken and support local business in crossroads, we got a honey pepper pimento sandwich. That's a limited time only it's a delight. So I just encourage you to try it. It is awesome. And come see us at the Cross Roads Founders Day, we'll be there from about three to 637 or so with a cow and some free coupons. And so come, come say hi. We'd love to see you there.
Steven Killfoil:All right, fantastic. Well, you heard it today from Chick fil A owner Shawn Self. Thank you again for coming on Cross Roads Podcast. Shawn, we wish you the best of luck with the restaurant and making it a great place to stop by and eat here in Cross Roads. For questions or comments. Email us at crossroadspodcast2023@gmail.com Make sure to check on the town website crossroadstx.org for local meeting times. Here are some upcoming events to mark on your calendar. The Municipal Development District meeting will be on Thursday September 14 at 6pm. Monday, September 18. The town council will be meeting at 6pm and the most important date to mark on your calendar Saturday September 16. Founders Day at the Star Ranch located at 8400 fish trap road right here and crossroads just down from the park. The celebration will be from 3pm to 9pm. The event will include a walk through Crossroads history, kids is carnival games, pottery demonstrations, art vendors, food trucks, and live music. Bring out your kiddos and have a relaxing and fun day while you learn how this town came about. The garage door theater has an announcement auditions for the next upcoming play the great mural fiasco by local artists Justine Walleston are September 10 and 11th at the garage door theater located at 110 Washington Street and pilot point Texas from 6pm to 8pm. This is a great opportunity for those interested in the theater to try out. You may also volunteer for stage hands, helping with lights sound if that's an area you are interested in. Also, we need all the help we can get. Come on out. Let's have some fun. Remember to like us on our Facebook page Crossroads podcast. To help support the podcast go to the website Crossroads podcast.buzzsprout.com To become a supporter, you can pledge 358 or $10 per month. Keep those comments and questions coming to our email at Crossroads podcast 2020 three@gmail.com. Remember to check on the town website, www dot Crossroads TX dot o RG for local meeting times and events. Stay tuned and every Monday morning as we bring you amazing guests until next week, I'll see you at the top
