Brandon Hurst

A native of Atlanta, GA, Brandon Hurst started his Chick-fil-A career while receiving his undergraduate degree from Alabama State University. Hurst graduated magna cum laude with a degree in accounting (2010). During his tenure at ASU, Hurst participated in several student organizations including being a co-head Drum-major for the Mighty Marching Hornets band, serving as Treasure for the Beta Upsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Vice-president of Membership for the Kappa Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Inc.

Immediately after graduating from ASU, Hurst accepted a Director of Operations role in Chicago, IL, a new emerging market for the Chick-fil-A brand. Hurst completed his MBA (finance) in 2012 and joined Chick-fil-A’s Leadership Development Program in Atlanta, GA, where he was responsible for partnering with other franchise owners across the United States to launch successful franchises. Having garnered so much experience and exposure from the quick-service restaurant industry, Hurst decided to pursue his own entrepreneurial endeavors. In October of 2014, Hurst, at the age of 26, was selected to become a Chick-fil-A franchise owner, opening his first location in Baltimore, Maryland (the city’s first downtown location) in April of 2015. Today, Brandon is the owner of the first Chick-fil-A in Brooklyn, NY located right across from the Barclay’s Center.

With over 12 years of experience in the hospitality and restaurant industry, Hurst is passionate about serving others, not only in the restaurant, but also within the community. He’s been the recipient of numerous awards including the Martin Luther King, Jr. award for outstanding community service, Baltimore Sun’s Top Workplace for 2015, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc’s Outstanding Entrepreneur Spirt Award, and WETATi’s Entrepreneurial Trailblazer Award. He travels across the country speaking at local colleges and universities, business conferences, and other community organizations, often sharing his life journey and the importance of focusing on community service, advancement of youth education, financial responsibility, and building tomorrow’s leaders.