Truett Cathy, the 92-year-old founder and chairman of Chick-fil-A (College Park, Ga.) will turn the reins over to son Dan Cathy, currently the president and chief operating officer of the fast-food chain.
Truett Cathy will remain at the company as chairman emeritus.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the company said Truett Cathy is in good health and that Dan Cathy’s promotion is part of a long-planned succession strategy.
Truett Cathy will focus on other entrepreneurial endeavors, including Truett’s Luau, his newest restaurant concept, which opens its first location in Fayetteville, Ga., next month.
Truett Cathy began the chain in 1946 with his brother Ben, a restaurant in Hapeville, Ga., called the Dwarf Grill. It now has 1600 locations.
Dan Cathy raised some controversy last year with comments he made opposing same-sex marriage. The company has long associated itself with its religious beliefs, including not opening on Sunday.