What Are the Odds of Owning a Chick-fil-A in Indiana?
Statistically? Slimmer than getting into Harvard. But for Noblesville’s Sam Hartman, becoming the operator of one of Indiana’s top-performing Chick-fil-A restaurants was more than ambition—it was a calling. What started with scrubbing floors turned into a story of record-shattering drive-thru speeds, relentless team development, and a faith-driven leadership style that’s changing what fast food can look like in the Hoosier State.
From Mop Buckets to Multi-Million Dollar Sales
Sam Hartman didn’t begin at the top—he started with a mop at the Castleton Square Mall Chick-fil-A. Straight out of Taylor University and looking for a way to support his family, Sam joined Chick-fil-A’s leadership development program and learned every job in the kitchen under Indianapolis legend Jeff Mosley.
He eventually took over a struggling store in Columbus, Ohio—one of the lowest-performing in the country. Through hustle, catering partnerships, and community engagement, he flipped it into a success story. That win led him back to Indy to manage Circle Centre Mall’s downtown location before launching what would become his flagship in Noblesville: the Saxony Chick-fil-A.
Noblesville’s Drive-Thru Machine
Located off I-69, the Saxony location was designed for volume. But what makes it a machine is the team’s obsession with operational excellence. With the help of Executive Director Nick Lawrence (who literally asked for a job in the drive-thru line), Sam built a leadership pipeline that turns part-time jobs into full-on careers—with 401(k)s, leadership training, and Symbol of Success awards that come with Jeeps and Teslas.
They’ve even hit 339 cars in a single hour.
How? Enter the drive-thru consultants.
The Secret Sauce: Consultants, Cameras, and Ketchup Placement
“Blindfolded. What is the secret to Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru that makes it go so fast?” Sam laughs in the full podcast. “There’s a car leaving the window every 18 seconds.”
Yes, they’re watching bagging times. Yes, they’re analyzing production screens. And yes—Chick-fil-A’s corporate team in Atlanta literally watches camera footage and coaches on the tiniest of tweaks. Like moving ketchup two feet closer.
“We’re talking about 18 seconds, right? So shaving a second off by moving ketchup makes a big impact.”
These drive-thru consultants help reposition staff by inches and optimize handoff points—down to who’s standing where. Every quarter-second matters when you’re gunning for 400 cars in an hour.
And that’s exactly what the Noblesville team is aiming to break later this July.
👉 Watch the video below to see just how precise this operation really is—from ketchup placement to camera reviews. You won’t believe how dialed-in they are.
Why This Chick-fil-A Story Hits Different in Indiana
This isn’t just a story about chicken sandwiches or fancy logistics. It’s a story about faith, leadership, and turning jobs into purpose-filled careers. Sam and Nick’s team leads with servant-hearted values while also raising the bar on operational performance—not just for Chick-fil-A, but for all of Indiana’s fast-growing business community.
Fast Q&A: How Hard Is It to Own a Chick-fil-A?
Q: Is it true Chick-fil-A is harder to get into than Harvard?
A: Yep. 100,000+ people apply every year. Less than 1% are chosen.
Q: Why is the franchise fee only $10,000?
A: Because Chick-fil-A owns the building and equipment. Operators are selected based on leadership potential—not financial investment.
Local Flavor: Fun Facts About Chick-fil-A in Indiana
Noblesville has three Chick-fil-A locations, including one inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The average Chick-fil-A does $8–9 million in sales—and they’re only open six days a week.
Sam’s team supports community events like the PE Festival and Indy Fuel hockey team.
Hear the Full Story on the Get IN Podcast
🎧 Want the full behind-the-scenes on how Sam and Nick built a record-breaking, career-building Chick-fil-A in Central Indiana?
👉 Listen to the Get IN Podcast episode to hear the full story—including that viral quote about ketchup and drive-thru consultants.
🎥 Got 30 seconds? Don’t miss the viral Instagram reel from the episode, where Sam breaks down just how precise the operation really is.
What Are the Odds of Owning a Chick-fil-A in Indiana?
Statistically? Slimmer than getting into Harvard. But for Noblesville’s Sam Hartman, becoming the operator of one of Indiana’s top-performing Chick-fil-A restaurants was more than ambition—it was a calling. What started with scrubbing floors turned into a story of record-shattering drive-thru speeds, relentless team development, and a faith-driven leadership style that’s changing what fast food can look like in the Hoosier State.
From Mop Buckets to Multi-Million Dollar Sales
Sam Hartman didn’t begin at the top—he started with a mop at the Castleton Square Mall Chick-fil-A. Straight out of Taylor University and looking for a way to support his family, Sam joined Chick-fil-A’s leadership development program and learned every job in the kitchen under Indianapolis legend Jeff Mosley.
He eventually took over a struggling store in Columbus, Ohio—one of the lowest-performing in the country. Through hustle, catering partnerships, and community engagement, he flipped it into a success story. That win led him back to Indy to manage Circle Centre Mall’s downtown location before launching what would become his flagship in Noblesville: the Saxony Chick-fil-A.
Noblesville’s Drive-Thru Machine
Located off I-69, the Saxony location was designed for volume. But what makes it a machine is the team’s obsession with operational excellence. With the help of Executive Director Nick Lawrence (who literally asked for a job in the drive-thru line), Sam built a leadership pipeline that turns part-time jobs into full-on careers—with 401(k)s, leadership training, and Symbol of Success awards that come with Jeeps and Teslas.
They’ve even hit 339 cars in a single hour.
How? Enter the drive-thru consultants.
The Secret Sauce: Consultants, Cameras, and Ketchup Placement
“Blindfolded. What is the secret to Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru that makes it go so fast?” Sam laughs in the full podcast. “There’s a car leaving the window every 18 seconds.”
Yes, they’re watching bagging times. Yes, they’re analyzing production screens. And yes—Chick-fil-A’s corporate team in Atlanta literally watches camera footage and coaches on the tiniest of tweaks. Like moving ketchup two feet closer.
“We’re talking about 18 seconds, right? So shaving a second off by moving ketchup makes a big impact.”
These drive-thru consultants help reposition staff by inches and optimize handoff points—down to who’s standing where. Every quarter-second matters when you’re gunning for 400 cars in an hour.
And that’s exactly what the Noblesville team is aiming to break later this July.
👉 Watch the video below to see just how precise this operation really is—from ketchup placement to camera reviews. You won’t believe how dialed-in they are.
Why This Chick-fil-A Story Hits Different in Indiana
This isn’t just a story about chicken sandwiches or fancy logistics. It’s a story about faith, leadership, and turning jobs into purpose-filled careers. Sam and Nick’s team leads with servant-hearted values while also raising the bar on operational performance—not just for Chick-fil-A, but for all of Indiana’s fast-growing business community.
Fast Q&A: How Hard Is It to Own a Chick-fil-A?
Q: Is it true Chick-fil-A is harder to get into than Harvard?
A: Yep. 100,000+ people apply every year. Less than 1% are chosen.
Q: Why is the franchise fee only $10,000?
A: Because Chick-fil-A owns the building and equipment. Operators are selected based on leadership potential—not financial investment.
Local Flavor: Fun Facts About Chick-fil-A in Indiana
Noblesville has three Chick-fil-A locations, including one inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The average Chick-fil-A does $8–9 million in sales—and they’re only open six days a week.
Sam’s team supports community events like the PE Festival and Indy Fuel hockey team.
Hear the Full Story on the Get IN Podcast
🎧 Want the full behind-the-scenes on how Sam and Nick built a record-breaking, career-building Chick-fil-A in Central Indiana?
👉 Listen to the Get IN Podcast episode to hear the full story—including that viral quote about ketchup and drive-thru consultants.
🎥 Got 30 seconds? Don’t miss the viral Instagram reel from the episode, where Sam breaks down just how precise the operation really is.
What Are the Odds of Owning a Chick-fil-A in Indiana?
Statistically? Slimmer than getting into Harvard. But for Noblesville’s Sam Hartman, becoming the operator of one of Indiana’s top-performing Chick-fil-A restaurants was more than ambition—it was a calling. What started with scrubbing floors turned into a story of record-shattering drive-thru speeds, relentless team development, and a faith-driven leadership style that’s changing what fast food can look like in the Hoosier State.
From Mop Buckets to Multi-Million Dollar Sales
Sam Hartman didn’t begin at the top—he started with a mop at the Castleton Square Mall Chick-fil-A. Straight out of Taylor University and looking for a way to support his family, Sam joined Chick-fil-A’s leadership development program and learned every job in the kitchen under Indianapolis legend Jeff Mosley.
He eventually took over a struggling store in Columbus, Ohio—one of the lowest-performing in the country. Through hustle, catering partnerships, and community engagement, he flipped it into a success story. That win led him back to Indy to manage Circle Centre Mall’s downtown location before launching what would become his flagship in Noblesville: the Saxony Chick-fil-A.
Noblesville’s Drive-Thru Machine
Located off I-69, the Saxony location was designed for volume. But what makes it a machine is the team’s obsession with operational excellence. With the help of Executive Director Nick Lawrence (who literally asked for a job in the drive-thru line), Sam built a leadership pipeline that turns part-time jobs into full-on careers—with 401(k)s, leadership training, and Symbol of Success awards that come with Jeeps and Teslas.
They’ve even hit 339 cars in a single hour.
How? Enter the drive-thru consultants.
The Secret Sauce: Consultants, Cameras, and Ketchup Placement
“Blindfolded. What is the secret to Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru that makes it go so fast?” Sam laughs in the full podcast. “There’s a car leaving the window every 18 seconds.”
Yes, they’re watching bagging times. Yes, they’re analyzing production screens. And yes—Chick-fil-A’s corporate team in Atlanta literally watches camera footage and coaches on the tiniest of tweaks. Like moving ketchup two feet closer.
“We’re talking about 18 seconds, right? So shaving a second off by moving ketchup makes a big impact.”
These drive-thru consultants help reposition staff by inches and optimize handoff points—down to who’s standing where. Every quarter-second matters when you’re gunning for 400 cars in an hour.
And that’s exactly what the Noblesville team is aiming to break later this July.
👉 Watch the video below to see just how precise this operation really is—from ketchup placement to camera reviews. You won’t believe how dialed-in they are.
Why This Chick-fil-A Story Hits Different in Indiana
This isn’t just a story about chicken sandwiches or fancy logistics. It’s a story about faith, leadership, and turning jobs into purpose-filled careers. Sam and Nick’s team leads with servant-hearted values while also raising the bar on operational performance—not just for Chick-fil-A, but for all of Indiana’s fast-growing business community.
Fast Q&A: How Hard Is It to Own a Chick-fil-A?
Q: Is it true Chick-fil-A is harder to get into than Harvard?
A: Yep. 100,000+ people apply every year. Less than 1% are chosen.
Q: Why is the franchise fee only $10,000?
A: Because Chick-fil-A owns the building and equipment. Operators are selected based on leadership potential—not financial investment.
Local Flavor: Fun Facts About Chick-fil-A in Indiana
Noblesville has three Chick-fil-A locations, including one inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The average Chick-fil-A does $8–9 million in sales—and they’re only open six days a week.
Sam’s team supports community events like the PE Festival and Indy Fuel hockey team.
Hear the Full Story on the Get IN Podcast
🎧 Want the full behind-the-scenes on how Sam and Nick built a record-breaking, career-building Chick-fil-A in Central Indiana?
👉 Listen to the Get IN Podcast episode to hear the full story—including that viral quote about ketchup and drive-thru consultants.
🎥 Got 30 seconds? Don’t miss the viral Instagram reel from the episode, where Sam breaks down just how precise the operation really is.
Written By:
Jarred Porter
Written By:
Jarred Porter
Jarred Porter
