Spelman grad to open first Chick-fil-A in downtown LA

Ashley Derby is now one of the youngest Chick-fil-A franchise owners in the United States.

Aug 11, 2017

Ashley Derby is now one of the youngest Chick-fil-A franchise owners in the United States.

The Spelman College graduate and Atlanta native is bringing the franchise to Los Angeles for the first time in the downtown area, a history-making move, though one that is not quite as monumental as the history she made in 2011 when, at age 26, she became the youngest African-American female franchise owner in the history of the company.

She began working at Chick-fil-A in order to save up money to buy a car, but she ended up staying to work there through her college years, even changing majors to an economics focus when one of her bosses encouraged her to look at leadership positions in the company.

So, she spent three years after her graduation going to management and development programs for Chick-fil-A before, finally, she was able to open the franchise near University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Now, she has her sights set on the downtown area.

“The energy in downtown L.A. is palpable,” Derby said in a press release. “I cannot wait to become a part of this growing neighborhood, and I look forward to welcoming our guests with hand-crafted food and hospitality.”

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