Roberto Ruiz first experienced Chick-fil-A during a work lunch break in 2017. Impressed with the customer service he returned several times until he learned about the Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator program and expressed interest in joining in October 2021. Fast forward to June 2023 when he was selected to join the company. We spoke with Ruiz on the eve of  his vision of the American Dream becoming a reality with the opening of his very own Bronx franchise this April 2024.

Ruiz has called New York home for over a decade, where he resides with his wife, Diandra, and their seven-year-old daughter. Originally from Puebla, Mexico, he attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and majored in marketing and business administration.
His personal experiences have prepared him to be an Owner-Operator and more importantly, a leader.

Located at 201 East Fordham Road, Chick-fil-A East Fordham Road In-Line is open for dine-in and carry-out from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Ruiz is excited to welcome the neighborhood’s dynamic community and showcase the brand’s signature level of care and food quality that he fell in love with years ago.

HOMBRE: Congratulations on the opening of your very own Chick-fil-A, seems like an ideal location.
Roberto Ruiz: ​It’s an excellent location​, ​Grand ​Concours​e and ​East Fordham could not be better​.

H: How did this project begin​?
RR: I was selected by Chick-fil-A in June of 2023. The selection process lasted 18 months with me.  I always wanted to have my own business and was looking for the right opportunity. Chick-fil-A was the right fit because I was going to be in business but not alone​, having the​ support of a major corporation to back me up.

H: How did they find you?
RR: ​The selection process to become an Owner-Operator is through an online application. It’s a long interview process, interviews online, interviews in person.  Many people apply, somewhere between fifty and sixty thousand annually, and only between ​s​ixty and eighty individuals are chosen.

​H: What would you say ​made you stand out in the selection process?
R​R: That’s a great question. I believe it’s because I like to work with the community.  I like to help people. I want to play a role in their lives by providing employment. I think that’s what they saw in me.

H: Tell us a little bit about yourself, before ​starting this business.
RR: I’m a Mexican immigrant, arriving in the US when I was 15. I’ve had several jobs since then. Most of my employment has been managerial, and this is the first time I try being an Owner-Operator.

​H: How do you feel now that the dream is a reality?
R​R: I’m very happy and excited to help my community. We hired ninety-five people for the opening, and about ninety-five of that percentage are people that live in the Fordham neighborhood. The remaining are from upper Manhattan or the upper Bronx.  As a matter of fact most of my employees can walk to work.

H​: What are your expectations?
R​R: My expectations are to help my community.  That the opening of this Chick-fil-A will mark a before and after​, and that we make a great change in the community. If the Hispanic community can identify with me they will learn that the​y can make their dreams come true.
They should know that there are opportunities. If you work hard and do things right, you can achieve this type of opportunity.

H​: That brings me to the next point, what do you think made you accomplish this goal?
R​R​: I believe it ​is to always follow the right path. To follow a trajectory​ of continuous learning, continuously reading, continuously going to school a​nd always doing the right thing.
I ​h​ope to be an example so that a kid going to high school says, I want to one day own a Chick-fil-A​.
This opportunity proves that the American dream is real.

H​: This is a huge step, what is your vision moving forward
R​R​: T​o continue helping my community and grow with them. I believe that when a business comes to Fordham, which is the most important commercial district in the Bronx, we need to come and help. Because they are Chick-fil-A​ and Chick-fil-A is for them.

H​: Finally, why ​did you want to partner with Chick-fil-A​?
R​R​: Chick-fil-A aligns with my value as a person and what I want for my future. I want to help others and that is something the brand has as part of its mission. I believe that by being part of this great organization I can add a little something to my Fordham community and make it be a better Fordham.