92-Year-Old Chick-fil-A Employee Credits the Lord for His Trademark Kindness
A Chick-fil-A employee in North Carolina is going viral not only for his age, but also for his kindness, strong work ethic, and the affection customers have for him.
Known simply as “Mr. Gil,” the 92-year-old has greeted customers as a dining host at the Wilmington, N.C., Chick-fil-A on Oleander Drive for the past six years, becoming one of the restaurant's most beloved employees.
“I make sure the tables are clean, the floor is clean,” he told WECT-6 in Wilmington. “But the main thing is I take care of people out here first.”
Chick-fil-A is known for its customer service, regularly ranking at the top of fast-food surveys for its well-known “my pleasure” hospitality. But customers say Mr. Gil has elevated that reputation with a warmth, humility, and genuine care that only decades of life experience can bring. Before joining Chick-fil-A, he worked in the natural gas industry and later spent 12 years as a greeter at Sam's Club.
After Sam's Club eliminated his position, Mr. Gil briefly considered retirement, but discovered it didn't suit him.
“After two months, I got bored and put in an application,” Mr. Gil told WECT.
He was hired almost immediately.
“If you enjoy what you’re doing, it’s not work, and I look forward to coming in,” he said. “It’s crazy, isn’t it?”
Mike Perdue, owner and operator of Chick-fil-A, said Mr. Gil’s positive attitude has made him a favorite.
“He had to take a couple days off, I think he had a cold,” Perdue told WECT. “People were so concerned, it was crazy, ‘Where’s Mr. Gil? Is he okay?’”
Mr. Gil has no plans to slow down anytime soon. He works Monday through Friday.
“I don’t know what 92 is supposed to feel like, but I feel great,” Mr. Gil said.
Meanwhile, he credits God for giving him opportunities each day to encourage people who are going through trials.
“I get a lot of people that are coming in, just been to the doctor, and got bad news,” he said. “I’m able to be an encourager; the Lord gave me that.”
Photo Credit: ©WECT
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published June 29, 2026.
