February 4th, 2026
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Expectation Church, Fairfax VA
Date | February 4th, 2026
Time | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location
Expectation Church
11924 Braddock Rd.
Fairfax, VA 22030
Leader Connect 2026 is a full-day leadership development experience designed for Chick-fil-A Operators and their teams across the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets.
Built around this year’s theme, The Hospitality of Leadership, the event focuses on how leaders intentionally create environments where people feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to grow. The content is practical, relevant, and rooted in the everyday realities of restaurant leadership.
Participants will engage in a thoughtfully designed mix of keynote moments, focused content sessions, and leadership experiences that translate directly into a stronger culture and clearer influence inside the restaurant.
Leader Connect 2026 will feature the following guests in-person
Dan served as President and CEO of Chick-fil-A for more than a decade and continues to shape leaders through his commitment to service, stewardship, and people-first leadership. His perspective reflects years of guiding one of the most respected organizations in the country, while remaining deeply grounded in its purpose.
A nationally recognized leadership speaker, author, and pastor, Jeff is known for his ability to connect leadership principles to real-world application. His experience developing teams and leading organizations brings clarity, challenge, and practical insight to leaders at every level.
Leader Connect 2026 is structured as a full-day, well-paced experience that blends inspiration, development, and application.
A live, on-stage conversation centered on leadership, service, and stewardship. This session anchors the day and sets the tone for leading with intention and hospitality.
A curated Live2Lead session featuring world-class leadership insights and practical frameworks, with virtual presentations from Valorie Burton, CEO of the CaPP Institute, and Jesse Cole, Owner of the Savannah Bananas.
A dedicated session for leaders interested in pursuing Chick-fil-A as a long-term career. Attendees will gain clarity around the journey, development expectations, and what it means to lead with ownership and responsibility.
A session focused on building environments where people feel valued, supported, and developed. Leaders will explore the systems and behaviors that shape strong teams and a sustainable culture.
Led by the Hospitality team, this session connects the theme of the day to practical leadership behaviors, focusing on how hospitality shows up in everyday decisions and interactions.
Leader Connect 2026 is a shared leadership experience designed for Operators and leaders at every stage, equipping them with practical tools, a people-first perspective, and a renewed focus on hospitality that strengthens teams and the cultures they shape.
Leader Connect 2026 is designed for Chick-fil-A Operators, directors and senior leaders, coaches and trainers, and emerging leaders with strong growth potential. It is also well suited for team members who are interested in long-term leadership development and expanding their influence within their organization.
Whether you currently lead a restaurant, oversee a department, or are preparing for your next level of leadership, this experience is designed to equip, encourage, and support you as you continue to grow.
Leaders will leave with practical tools they can apply immediately, a clearer perspective on building healthy, people-first cultures, and a renewed focus on hospitality as a core leadership discipline. The experience also creates shared language and alignment across teams and markets, strengthening how leaders communicate and lead together.
Leader Connect 2026 is more than a conference—it is a purposeful leadership experience designed to create lasting impact inside the restaurant and beyond.