From 31-Year Franchisee to Executive Coach: Kevin Harrison's Uncommon Reinvention

Kevin Harrison, founder of Uncommon Influence, spent three decades as a Chick-fil-A franchisee before walking away to build an executive coaching firm from scratch. Recognized by the Virginia General Assembly for people development, Kevin now coaches leaders across hospitality and beyond on how to grow capacity, reinvent themselves, and have life-changing influence on the people around them.

Key Insights You'll Learn:

• 31-year Chick-fil-A run ending when the vision stopped inspiring him

• iPad drive-through system: early pioneer growing throughput from 100 to 300+ cars per hour

• Leader intern program attracting recent grads through structured rotations and experiences

• Marathon wellness program inside Chick-fil-A sending dozens of employees to Disney race

• Origin of Uncommon Influence: ninth-grade teacher mailing life goals back 11 years later

• Five D's framework for overwhelmed leaders: do, delete, defer, delegate, decide

• Camino de Santiago reinvention experience: 95-mile trek sold out through 2026

• Coaching principle: you cannot want growth more than your client wants it

• Distinguishing statements from questions as tools for lasting change

• AI as thought partner, not thought leader, for high-performing executives

Kevin's Key Mentors:

• Roger Flinchum (Ninth Grade English Teacher): Mailed back life goals 11 years later; sparked the Uncommon Influence vision

• Chick-fil-A Company President: Planted the question "How good do you want to be?" at a critical moment

• Kevin's Wife: Named the moment his vision no longer inspired him and gave him permission to leave

• Kevin's Personal Coach: Facilitates annual and biannual strategic retreats; challenges his thinking regularly

• Mitch and Stacey Hartman (Scrimp Shack Founders): Trusted Kevin with scaling their brand after retirement

Don't miss this conversation about what it looks like to rebuild at the top of your game and why the leaders who truly change are the ones who want it most.

Connect with Kevin Harrison:

Website: uncommoninfluence.com

Transcript Available: Kevin Harrison on Why the Uncommon Influence Coaching Program Starts with a Question, Not an Answer

Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast

Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line. Website: addbackbenefits.com