Ben Prine is much more than a Chick-fil-A franchise owner. The Knoxville-born businessman has followed a focused trajectory since he first began working at the popular restaurant at just 14 years old. Prine continued working at Chick-fil-A throughout high school and college at the University of Tennessee before landing a position at the corporate office after graduation.
“I was living out of hotels, opening new stores on the West Coast when the Cookeville location became available,” Ben recalled. “I thought, this is my chance to get closer to home.”
Ben acquired the Cookeville Chick-fil-A in 2007 and faced an uphill battle from the start. He went back to the drawing board, hired new staff, and committed to making food quality and service faultless. His efforts paid off, quickly transforming the once-struggling location into one of Cookeville’s busiest and most beloved fast-food restaurants.
Ben’s ambition didn’t stop there. He soon immersed himself in the Cookeville community, intentionally seeking ways Chick-fil-A could meet local needs. “I always try to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the community,” Ben said. “For me, it’s not always about writing a check, but asking what we can provide food-wise.”
From delivering meals to first responders battling major fires to feeding volunteers during the 2020 tornado cleanup, Ben consistently finds creative ways to care for the community through food.
Beyond his generosity to local organizations, Ben has earned a reputation as an exceptional employer. In 2019, when the Cookeville Chick-fil-A underwent two months of renovations, he refused to place his employees in a difficult position.
“I thought, I can’t just put these adults and college kids—whose primary paycheck comes from us—on unemployment,” Ben said.
Anticipating the closure, Ben had saved for two years leading up to the renovation and devised a thoughtful solution. “I told them, ‘We’re going to do volunteer work, and I’m going to pay you for it.’”
During the shutdown, employees volunteered at organizations such as the Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, the Animal Shelter, and the Stevens Street Care Center—all while continuing to earn their regular hourly wages.
“I want to be a servant leader and set an example for my team,” Ben said. “I feel like it’s my responsibility to give back to the community and be one of the most caring businesses in Cookeville.”
In recognition of his leadership and impact, Ben was named one of Upper Cumberland Lifestyle’s Most Influential People in the magazine’s premiere 2022 edition.
