Andrew Nelson is the Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A East Wichita (Central and Rock + K96 and Greenwich) in Wichita, Kansas. He has been married since 2009 to his bride, Natasha Nelson, and they have three beautiful girls Alexia, Giuliana, and Nahla. He has been with Chick-fil-A since February of 2009, starting with the company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Prior to working for Chick-fil-A, Andrew worked in accounting and finance with CitiGroup, Inc as an Account Executive. In late 2008 during the financial crisis, Andrew had made the decision to be proactive in his search to maintain employment as he was receiving word that his position would be eliminated at CitiGroup. He was also getting married in February of 2009 and wanted to ensure there was stable income for himself and for those he is providing for. In his journey to find a more stable position, he came across the opportunity to work at a local Chick-fil-A in Tulsa, OK. He was hired as a Leader and within six months, he was promoted to be the restaurant’s General Manager. 

After a few months of working for Chick-fil-A, Andrew became interested in what it took to become a Franchisee and business partner with the brand. He met with his boss (Greg Campbell) and with a few members of the corporate staff. A plan was put in place, which included traveling to five grand openings across the country and completing his Bachelor’s Degree. Accomplishing this plan would help him to be the most competitive candidate for a franchise that could be created. Andrew spent the next four years traveling and finishing his degree at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma graduating with honors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Financial Management while working full-time as a General Manager and being a new husband and father. 

Upon graduation in 2012, Andrew applied to become an Owner/Operator with Chick-fil-A in the Omaha, Nebraska market. At that time Andrew was told no and to continue to develop his leadership and business acumen and to try again in a few years. Andrew was dedicated to his calling and committed to relentlessly pursue this career. He decided to pursue a program within Chick-fil-A called the Interim Manager Program (now called the Leadership Develop Program, LDP) in order to increase his competitiveness and candidacy to become a Franchisee. He applied April 1st, 2012 for this leadership program, was accepted in August of 2012 and attended training in March of 2013. While in the Interim Manager Program, Chick-fil-A had Andrew travel to seven states (Texas (x2), Ohio, Arkansas, Arizona, Indiana, and Oklahoma) in his first 12 months as an Interim Manager where he had the opportunity to learn about business successes and failures in seven different states along with customer and team member demographics. In the summer of 2014, Andrew was selected to be the Franchisee of the new location in Derby, Kansas. Andrew grand opened that location in January of 2015 and was the Franchisee until December 1st, 2016. On December 1st, 2016 Andrew relinquished that location back to Chick-fil-A, Inc and became the new Franchisee at the location he now owns at Central Avenue and Rock Road in Wichita, Kansas. 

Since Andrew has taken ownership of his current franchise, sales have grown 90% and he has developed a team of over 40+ leaders and 220+ team members between both locations. Andrew has served on the Beyond the Restaurant Operator Counsel and the Digital Operations Counsel for Chick-fil-A Inc. Andrew currently serves the Chick-fil-A brand by being an Operator Coach for new Franchisees across the Midwest over the past four years as well as being an Operator Consultant for Wichita State University helping them achieve their goals they set to reach. 

The main purpose Andrew went into business with Chick-fil-A was because he saw a way that he was able to partner with a brand that together could add value to those around him more so than individually. Andrew has also been invested in our local community by being on the Board of the Andover YMCA the past 4, serving as an Honorary Commander for McConnell Air Force Base over the past 5 years and serving with the Church (Life.Church) since 2010. His daughters are actively involved in youth sports, music and theatre while his wife is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. 

“Our purpose in life and in business is to add value to those around us. Whether they are family, friends, acquaintances or strangers, if we find ways to add value to those lives we will fulfill our purpose on purpose.” 

- Andrew Nelson Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit, rather through humility VALUE OTHERS above yourself.”