Steve Bouhadana’s first day at Chick-fil-A was spent in the company’s famous cow suit on New Jersey’s Route 9, outside a farm stand, holding up a sign reading “Eat mor chikin.”
“It was a hot August day, 95 degrees, but it was fun,” he reminisces now of that time, when he was a high-schooler working at the restaurant’s Freehold Raceway Mall location.
These days, Bouhadana, 28, is wearing a different kind of outfit – suit and tie – as owner/operator of the national chain’s newest location in South Jersey, Chick-fil-A Gloucester Outlets in Blackwood.
“I’m beyond excited and grateful for this opportunity to serve this community,” he said.
Chick-fil-A, founded 80 years ago, is well-known in the United States for its chicken sandwiches, signature hospitality and Christian values – its corporate purpose aims “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.”
For Bouhadana, a cradle Catholic from Marlboro, the company fit his own mission.
At this childhood parish, Saint Gabriel, he and his family would help out with the parish’s Breakfast with Santa, and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. These experiences gave him the first taste of servant leadership and living the example of Jesus, he said.
“I felt a sense of responsibility and ownership, being involved with my parish,” he continued.
He also was introduced to the world of business leadership through his father, who owned a small business.
Bouhadana began his Chick-fil-A journey in 2014 at the Freehold Raceway Mall location, working his way up from mascot to director of the restaurant’s front-of-store, which includes guest-facing activities such as working the register, bagging food and bringing food to cars.
Along the way, he graduated from Rowan University, Glassboro, earning a bachelor’s degree in management and human resources management in 2019, and an MBA in business management in 2021.
In 2023, he moved up to the Chick-fil-A Leadership Development Program, where he traveled across the United States to help open up new stores in states including New York, Texas and Georgia.
“It was one day a time, one step at a time, with dedication and commitment,” he recalled.
His faith, however, was never far away. “In every location, I would stop into the nearest church,” Bouhadana said. These acts “rooted me in my faith and to the community.”
In the food service industry, too, he found a way to form relationships. “One of my first jobs was working the register, and I was able to talk to people, hear about their day,” he said. “For someone to have one of their three daily meals here, and create a moment where we can come together and connect … there’s something special here.”
Now living in Pitman, Bouhadana is a parishioner of Mary, Mother of Mercy in Glassboro.
“This is a homecoming,” he said, referencing not only his days at Rowan, but when he used to work at the Chick-fil-A Sewell-Mantua Square, as well. “I’m grateful for the support every day to serve this community, and the guests and team members that bring life here.”
At 6:30 a.m. on April 2, Blackwood’s first Chick-fil-A opened its doors at 400 Premium Outlets Drive, serving up, at first, the Biscuit and Egg White Grill, and, throughout the day, its chicken sandwich, waffle fries and milkshakes.
Two days before, Bouhadana’s pastor, Father Allain Caparas, blessed the restaurant during an evening that included Chick-fil-A team members and Bouhadana’s family and friends.
Demonstrating his commitment to the community, Bouhadana and Chick-fil-A Inc. have donated $25,000 to the Philabundance food bank in support of local relief efforts, and created 126 part- and full-time jobs – be it breading the chicken, working the register or serving as a shift leader.
Praising the community for its support, Bouhadana also expressed gratitude for the owner/operators of other Chick-fil-A restaurants in South Jersey, “the pioneers before us who’ve built this brand and established it in this area.”
As the new restaurant now serves up fresh meals Monday through Saturday, Bouhadana keeps close to his faith, which propels him forward in service. “I pray for guidance and strength every day,” he said.
“One theme that’s been true throughout my journey: You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. I’ve always encouraged and challenged myself to take every opportunity that I can continue to grow.”
“It’s been an incredible ride so far, and I’m thankful to support this community that’s raised me,” he continued. “I’m super excited for the future.”
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