Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas has served for over a decade with Chick-fil-A, Inc., where he currently holds the position of Senior Principal Team Leader for the Escalated Support Teams within the Restaurant Technology and Customer Support division of the Field Operations department. In this capacity, Mr. Thomas provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for escalated restaurant technology support across more than 3,200 U.S. chain locations. Previously, he served as a senior lead advisor, guiding the selection process for prospective Operators/Franchisees of Chick-fil-A restaurants. Prior to joining Chick-fil-A, Mr. Thomas spent eight years at General Electric in various strategic roles encompassing marketing, sales, and talent management. Notably, he served as Vice President of Sales Origination for GE Franchising, where he facilitated financing for franchise businesses such as Arby’s, Subway, Wingstop, and Corner Bakery Café. His professional background also includes roles with NVHomes, Inc., PNC Bank, MBNA (now Bank of America), and May Company (now Macy’s). 

Mr. Thomas is actively engaged in community and professional organizations, serving on the Boards of the Atlanta Airport Community Improvement District (CID), Penn State University’s Smeal College of Business’ Board of Visitors, and the Dave Krache Foundation. He is committed to mentoring youth through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Thomas is a 2018 fellow of the New Leaders Council Institute in Atlanta and was recognized in 2019 as one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under Forty. He is also an alumnus of the 2023 Leadership Cobb class. 

Mr. Thomas earned both his Bachelor of Science in Business Management/International Business and his Master of Business Administration from Penn State University. He resides in the Atlanta Metro area with his wife, Cherie, and their three children.