In a heartwarming gesture, the CEO of Chick-fil-A made a surprise visit to an Emeryville location to personally present a $25,000 scholarship to Danna Avila, a dedicated employee and UC Berkeley student. This recognition came as a delightful surprise for Avila, who is working towards her goal of becoming an oncologist.

Danna Avila, a 22-year-old from San Jose, was commended by CEO Andrew T. Cathy for her outstanding contributions both at work and in her community. During the visit, Cathy highlighted Avila’s commitment as a ‘stellar volunteer’ and acknowledged her impressive leadership roles within the restaurant. This significant acknowledgment was reported by KGO News.

Reflecting on the scholarship, Avila expressed her deep gratitude, saying, “The journey has been so long and difficult and getting an opportunity like this, I can’t even put it into words how thankful I am.” Her hard work, both academically and professionally, has not gone unnoticed.

Cathy explained that the company is keen on supporting first-generation college students like Avila, who show remarkable dedication to their education and community service. “She’s worked really, really hard to keep up her grades,” he noted, emphasizing her clear vision for the future. “We just want to come along and help support her,” Cathy added, underscoring Chick-fil-A’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities for its employees.

‘She’s worked really, really hard to keep up her grades, a volunteer in the community,’ he said.

‘She’s had a lot of leadership roles here in the restaurant, somebody that just has a clear vision for the future, what she wants to do and we just want to come along and help support her.’

Avila has long been a loyal employee, previously working at the Sunnyvale location and even returning during school breaks to pick up shifts and help out.

In an emotional reveal on Tuesday, Avila walked into the restaurant to find it filled with cheering employees, her family, Cathy and even the iconic Chick-fil-A Cow mascot.

Danna Avila (right), a 22-year-old California Chick-fil-A employee and UC Berkeley student, was personally awarded a $25,000 scholarship by the company’s CEO (left) in a surprise visit on Tuesday

Avila received the scholarship check directly from CEO Andrew T. Cathy at a Chick-fil-A in Emeryville (pictured), where he praised her as a stellar ‘volunteer in the community’

Cathy (pictured) said the company wanted to support the first-generation college student on her journey as she pursues her dream of becoming an oncologist

With red and white balloons behind her and streamers flying through the air, Cathy handed Avila a massive check emblazoned with the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures logo.

She gasped, ‘Are you serious?’ and covered her mouth with both hands in disbelief, while the CEO smiled and the crowd behind her applauded and snapped photos. 

After a heartfelt hug with Cathy, Avila held her teary-eyed family close in an emotional embrace.

‘Seeing them being here and crying for me and just seeing how proud they are of me, it’s a feeling I will never get over,’ she told the outlet. ‘I’m so grateful.’

Next, Avila has her sights set on medical school, hoping to make an even greater impact on her community. 

‘The healthcare system is very much broken and I think there needs to be things done to fix it and if I could give back to my community, other communities, it would be amazing,’ she said.

Cathy revealed that Avila’s scholarship is just one of many, with the company having awarded over $215 million in scholarships since 1973. 

This year alone, the company is granting $29 million in scholarships to over 16,000 team members, including thirteen $25,000 awards, just like Avila’s, according to the outlet.

Pictured: Avila holding her teary-eyed family in a close emotional embrace

Avila (pictured) told KGO News: ‘The journey has been so long and difficult and getting an opportunity like this, I can’t even put it into words how thankful I am’

In an emotional reveal on Tuesday, Avila walked into the restaurant to find it filled with cheering employees, her family, Cathy and even the iconic Chick-fil-A Cow mascot

Team members throughout the US, Canada and Puerto Rico are given the opportunity to apply for the scholarship, according to the company’s website. 

‘Creating greater access to education is one of the best ways Chick-fil-A serves communities,’ Cathy said about the program.

‘Our long-standing commitment to investing in the future dreams and aspirations of restaurant Team Members remains at the forefront of Chick-fil-A’s efforts to have a positive impact on the lives of others,’ he added.

It all began in 1954, when Chick-fil-A founder Samuel Truett Cathy placed an empty container on the counter for customers to donate to employee Eddie White’s college fund.

White went on to attend Morris Brown College, earn a degree in education, build a successful teaching career and eventually serve as assistant superintendent of schools in Clayton County, Georgia. 

But over the years, his bond with the restaurant’s creator never faded. 

‘He became not only a boss, but a friend that I respected and appreciated. He has touched the lives of so many people – I’m just thankful to be one of them,’ White said, according to the website.

Now, over 122,000 team members have benefited from the scholarship program, with more than 15,000 awarded in the last year alone. 

Avila (pictured) told KGO: ‘The healthcare system is very much broken and I think there needs to be things done to fix it and if I could give back to my community, other communities, it would be amazing’

Cathy revealed that Avila’s scholarship is just one of many, with the company having awarded over $215 million in scholarships since 1973

Faith Kitchen, a San Antonio-based nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness for the last 45 years, received the S. Truett Cathy Honoree distinction and the largest True Inspiration Awards grant (pictured)

Earlier this month, Chick-fil-A announced the 2026 recipient of its True Inspiration Awards, celebrating a milestone with its first-ever Singapore-based awardee. 

The company also revealed that it will give $6 million to 56 nonprofits under the initiative, according to the website.

The program honors nonprofits making a meaningful impact in their communities and has awarded over 400 grants totaling nearly $40 million.

Faith Kitchen, a San Antonio-based nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness for the last 45 years, received the S. Truett Cathy Honoree distinction and the largest True Inspiration Awards grant. 

The grant will help Faith Kitchen continue serving three meals a day, expand job training programs and increase operational capacity to meet growing demand, reaching over 5,000 people annually.