Dr. Nathan Knecht, proprietor of a successful dental practice in Ft. Collins, Colo., was seeking other options after he needed to leave the industry. “I injured my neck because of the position I was always in while treating my patients,” said Knecht, a native of Kansas. “The pain got to be too much, so I needed to sell my practice,” he added.
Dr. Nathan Knecht, proprietor of a successful dental practice in Ft. Collins, Colo., was seeking other options after he needed to leave the industry. “I injured my neck because of the position I was always in while treating my patients,” said Knecht, a native of Kansas. “The pain got to be too much, so I needed to sell my practice,” he added.
Four years of dental school and another year of residency were gone. An 11-year practice was also vacated. Soon, Knecht returned to California and ran into a friend at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. Both had been operating some small businesses, yet nothing substantial.
“He was also looking for a career change and had applied with several companies,” Knecht added. “And one of them was managing a Chick-fil-A restaurant.” Then the light bulb turned on.
“I remember visiting my first Chick-fil-A at the Wichita East Mall in 1988,” he recalled. “I loved the food. I loved the people. And I loved how they were giving back to the community,” Knecht said.
Turn the clock forward to the present. Not only did Knecht get hired, he is now the owner-operator of the new Chick-fil-A location in Santee, which held its grand opening on Feb. 28. The restaurant is located at 9418 Mission Gorge Road at the Lowes Center in Santee.
On Saturday, March 2, during the lunch, the Chick-fil-A Cow — the company mascot — will appear from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. along with “special guest star” the famous San Diego Chicken and his well-loved hijinks. Free photos will be handed out to anyone in attendance and the Chicken will sign autographs and pose for the pictures.
Chick-fil-A is known for serving the freshest food. “We serve real chicken not processed chicken,” noted Knecht. “And we offer fresh-squeezed lemonade made every morning from lemons grown right here in California.”
On Sunday, March 3, the Chick-fil-A Cow will also appear at the San Diego Sockers PASL playoff game at Valley View Casino Center (former San Diego Sports Arena).
Like all of the restaurants in the Chick-fil-A family, none are open on Sunday.
“I love how the company treats its employees like family — that’s very important to me,” added Knecht. “People come first, which makes working for them so wonderful,” he concluded.
