Entrepreneur Marcel Smith Becomes Chick-Fil-A Owner-Operator In Michigan — ‘Opening A Restaurant So Close To Where I Grew Up Is A Full-Circle Moment’ – AfroTech
Detroit, MI, native Marcel Smith is giving back to the state that raised him by becoming an owner-operator.
Smith is a graduate of Houston Christian University, where he studied business after attending Detroit Public Schools. According to his LinkedIn, he earned a bachelor’s degree in International Business in 2014, then went on to earn a master’s in business administration and management from the same university.
According to a press release, being a student-athlete fostered his leadership spirit. That trait is also what led him to be selected for the Chick-fil-A® Leadership Development Program, a 24-36 month-long initiative that gives participants opportunities to improve their business acumen professionally and personally, tasking them with addressing real-world issues at locations nationwide, according to a blog post.
Smith participated in the program from 2020-2025, served as a grand opening supervisor at eight locations, and supported various multi-restaurant operators, notes his LinkedIn. His experience prepared him to return home to become an owner-operator of the Chick-fil-A in Lincoln Park, which officially opened on Thursday, April 2, per the press release.
Smith hopes to create economic opportunities for the local community by providing jobs, mentoring the next generation, and mirroring the ambitious spirit of Detroiters.
“Lincoln Park has always stood out to me for its close-knit spirit — this community is hardworking, family-centered, with deep cultural pride and a strong sense of togetherness,” Smith said in the press release. “Opening a restaurant so close to where I grew up is a full-circle moment for me. As the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Lincoln Park, my goal is for Guests and Team Members to feel known and cared for, and for this restaurant to serve as a positive anchor for my family and the community.”
Smith is already giving back to the community through a $25,000 donation from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to Feeding America, presented during the grand opening of his location, per the release. Additionally, he will participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, which donates excess food to local organizations.
