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Meet Nicholas Lawrence, Exec Director of People at Chick-fil-A (local franchise, Indianapolis) and now a member of the newly launched HR Grapevine Editorial Advisory Board!
Nicholas serves as the Executive Director of People & Culture for one of the largest Chick-fil-A franchise groups in the country, based in Indianapolis. With over 16 years of leadership experience at Chick-fil-A, Target, and Macy’s, he has led initiatives that shaped growth, strengthened culture, and cultivated people-first environments that empower both team members and leaders to succeed.
Born out of this experience, Nicholas founded Lawrence Leadership, a coaching and consulting firm specializing in leadership development and culture transformation. His work focuses on matters of the heart, helping leaders grow in emotional intelligence, live with purpose, and navigate the hard but necessary conversations that drive meaningful change.
Read on for our full interview with Nicholas, including his ultimate career advice for HR professionals, his sources of inspiration as a people leader, and a music recommendation to soundtrack your weekend!
Can you share a quick overview of your current role and why HR is so important to Chick-fil-A?
I lead people and culture for one of the largest Chick-fil-A franchise groups in the country. My role covers everything from recruiting great talent to guiding leaders through tough conversations and investing in their long-term growth. HR is critical in our unique franchise model because people are truly at the heart of everything; we don’t just run restaurants, we shape experiences. Our culture is our competitive edge, and HR ensures that culture thrives across every location.
What’s one lesson from your career that you’d pass on to a younger HR professional?
Winning isn’t always about being right. It’s about building relationships that last. Early in my career, I learned that you can “win the battle but lose the war” if pride gets in the way. In boating, the more maneuverable vessel gives way to the less agile one. That same principle applies to leadership and HR: sometimes it’s wiser to bend, to listen, and to choose relationship over ego. That’s how you win for the long run.
AI aside… is there any key work-related trend, issue, or impact you’re preparing for ahead of 2026 and beyond?
We’re laser-focused on being the frontline’s favorite place to work. As the labor market grows more competitive, culture and care become the ultimate differentiators. Our people are the heartbeat of our business; they bring our values to life every day for our guests. Looking ahead, investing in development, creating supportive workplaces, and listening well will be the keys to keeping our edge. When people feel valued, they stay, grow, and shine.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration from outside of the HR world?
My wife is my greatest inspiration. Her steady wisdom and encouragement keep me grounded. She has an incredible way of seeing the best in people and bringing out joy even in tough times. My faith also guides me daily, reminding me that leadership is really about service. Together, those two anchors push me to be a better husband, father, and leader.
Nicholas Lawrence shares his music recommendation
Can you recommend a music album for our readers to unwind to?
When in doubt, always Jimmy Buffett. His music has a way of taking you to the beach, no matter where you are. Kick back, turn it up, and let the stress melt away. Fins up!
What is the HR Grapevine Editorial Advisory Board?
In case you’ve missed our updates, we’ve recently launched the HR Grapevine Editorial Advisory Board!
The Editorial Advisory Board will be a vital part of HR Grapevine's ongoing commitment to provide its audience of over 290,000 HR professionals with outstanding, industry-recognised content, packed with practical guidance and insights.
From rigorous, high-quality journalism to in-depth articles, interviews, case studies, podcasts, and events, the voices of HR practitioners are at the heart of HR Grapevine's editorial output - and we're thrilled to be taking this step to ensure our content continues to be as timely, relevant, and useful as possible to the industry.
Our Editorial Advisory Board is formed of a deeply experienced group of HR and people professionals who come from a range of different disciplines and backgrounds, but with one thing in common: a dedication to helping the wider HR community learn, grow, and celebrate together.
About Nicholas Lawrence
Nicholas Lawrence serves as the Executive Director of People & Culture for one of the largest Chick-fil-A franchise groups in the country, based in Indianapolis. With over 16 years of leadership experience at Chick-fil-A, Target, and Macy’s, he has led initiatives that shaped growth, strengthened culture, and cultivated people-first environments that empower both team members and leaders to succeed.
Born out of this experience, Nicholas founded Lawrence Leadership, a coaching and consulting firm specializing in leadership development and culture transformation. His work focuses on matters of the heart, helping leaders grow in emotional intelligence, live with purpose, and navigate the hard but necessary conversations that drive meaningful change.
In addition to group training and workshops, Nicholas provides mentorship and 1-on-1 coaching, equipping leaders with the clarity, confidence, and accountability needed to thrive. His approach is practical and actionable, grounded in the belief that “My Pleasure” isn’t just a catchphrase, but a moral obligation.
