Richard Anderson has officially taken over as the new owner and operator of the Chick-fil-A in Vicksburg. Originally from Guntersville, Alabama, Anderson assumed the role on December 1. He brings years of restaurant experience and a personal connection to Mississippi to his new position.

“All of my family’s from Mississippi,” Anderson explained. “My mom’s from Jackson with a set of grandparents that’s still alive in Jackson. Aunts, uncles, cousins, everything like that. My dad’s from Centreville, Mississippi, which is south of here. I grew up driving through Vicksburg all the time. My grandparents were in Jackson and owned a lake house on Lake Bruin, so I always knew where Vicksburg was.”

Anderson moved to Vicksburg in October to prepare for his new role, where he quickly received a warm reception from the community.

“We released the Facebook post about being here, and there’s been a lot of positive reaction from that,” he said. “It’s been really cool. I love it. People are super nice.”

Anderson said he is fully focused on improving operations at the Vicksburg Chick-fil-A and connecting with his team and the local community.

Anderson’s path to becoming an owner-operator began in Guntersville, where he worked for his future father-in-law, a Chick-fil-A operator.

“I went to the University of Alabama and graduated with a degree in hospitality management, but I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” Anderson shared. “My future father-in-law offered me a job, and I started off working in a restaurant similar in size to Vicksburg’s.”

He spent nearly four years in Chick-fil-A’s operator application process, gaining experience and preparing to lead a location of his own.

“I love talking to people,” Anderson said of his role. “It’s mostly predictable, but there’s always something to do. One day, I’m dealing with advertising opportunities; the next, I’m addressing employment issues or focusing on sales. It’s an opportunity to have a large impact, which is what I enjoy.”

As Anderson settles into his new role, he said he is grateful for the warm welcome he has received from the Vicksburg community.

“The city has been super welcoming, and the people are great. You can’t ask for anything better than that,” he said.