Meet Sereena Fast, who has made historical past by changing into the primary Black lady to personal a Chick-fil-A in three totally different states — Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The 39-year-old entrepreneur most just lately opened her Chick-fil-A restaurant in her hometown in Philadelphia.
“It truly is astounding simply this accomplishment to essentially encourage and inspire the folks in our group,” Fast mentioned, based on AfroTech. “The younger Black girls and boys in our group, who’re going to someday have a look at me — and even at this chance — and say, ‘I can also do that.'”
Rising up within the public housing group of Raymond Rosen Houses and raised in a single-parent residence, Fast confronted many challenges. However she didn’t let it cease her. She graduated faculty and began a profession as a juvenile probation officer in Philadelphia.
Her profession took a flip when she moved to California and linked with Jon Hooper, the proprietor/operator of Chick-fil-A, Auto Mall Parkway in Fremont, California. Impressed by this mentorship, Fast determined to transition into the restaurant business. She later returned to Philadelphia, the place she continued to study from skilled operators like Stanley Webber and Chris Walsh.
In simply three years, Fast went from being the Government Director at Chick-fil-A Malvern in Pennsylvania to changing into the proud proprietor of her Chick-fil-A restaurant within the state.
The brand new retailer on Metropolis Ave, owned and operated by Fast, is about to create over 100 jobs, contributing positively to the area people. Fast, who grew up in North Philadelphia, expressed gratitude for the chance to present again to the town and empower future leaders.
“I am enthusiastic about creating long-term optimistic change in my group and sit up for this new chapter within the place the place I used to be born and raised,” she mentioned.
You’ll want to observe Sereena Fast on her Instagram @SrnQuick