Chick-fil-A convention has local flavor

A man with ties to Gaffney recently won several prestigious awards from one of the nation's largest fast food chains.

The home office of Chick- Fil-A in Atlanta, Ga., recently gave out its highest awards at the company's yearly convention that was held in February in Arizona.

Among the award-winners was Matt (Matthew) E. Webber of Spartanburg who was presented three of the chain's highest awards. Webber, who is the owneroperator of the Statesville, N.C., FSU store - was recipient of the "Two Million Dollar" award for reaching $2 million in sales; recipient of the "Top of the Chain" award for having his store in Statesville be named the No. 1 unit of all the company's 1,300 stores with the "Highest Percentage Sales Increase" from 2005-2006; and recipient of the "Rookie of the Year" award for his first full year of operations.

Webber was also given the keys to a 2007 Ford Expedition to drive for being an award winner. A 1997 Dorman graduate and 2001 University of South Carolina- Spartanburg (College of Business) alumnus, his family is from Gaffney, including his parents and grandparents. He is married to Donna McAbee Webber and he is the son of Cathy and Larry Webber of Spartanburg, formerly of Gaffney. He is the maternal grandson of Nina Gilfillan of Spartanburg, formerly of Gaffney, and the late Grady E. Gilfillan. His paternal grandparents are Claude Webber of Gaffney and the late Frances Webber.

Webber began his career at Chick-Fil-A with Keith Laws in high school and was awarded his Statesville, N.C., franchise in October, 2005.