2026 Distinguished Alumni, Outstanding Young Alumnus - Joseph Anderson

2026 Distinguished Alumni, Outstanding Young Alumnus - Joseph Anderson

Former track and field athlete for and graduate of Sam Houston State University, Joseph Anderson (’11) has learned over the years that success is a marathon, not a race. After years of hard work and dedication, Anderson has become known for his exceptional leadership as owner-operator of Chick-fil-A I-45 & Almeda.

The lifelong Houston resident believed he would become an Olympic runner thanks to his success throughout high school. As he was discussing potential career paths, including business and marketing, with a teammate, they told Anderson they knew he would excel in the business world. In turn, he began majoring in both marketing and management and began pursuing internships that would develop his business acumen.

It was during an internship with Marriott Hotels that Anderson found he had a passion for hospitality. He enjoyed the idea of making people’s days better by giving them a great experience and carried this idea with him as he went on to work at McDonald’s. His experience at the golden arches piqued his interest in the restaurant industry, which developed into a career opportunity while he worked at the Chick-fil-A location in Stafford, TX.

After learning from the Stafford Chick-fil-A operator, Roy Valley, and working with him as Valley opened another location, Anderson knew that he wanted to rise through the ranks and open a location of his own. After completing a two-year program that brought him around the country opening and operating various locations, his goal was accomplished in 2018, making him the youngest African American Chick-fil-A owner and operator in the state.

This achievement solidified years of hard work and perseverance, particularly as he continued his participation on Chick-fil-A’s leadership program immediately following the loss of his father. It was through that trying time that Anderson felt the most challenged but carried on despite the grief. It was through the support of Anderson’s family and community that carried him through trying times and led him to a point where he is looking to open a second location.

It’s with the opening of a second location that Anderson hopes to share even more joy with his community. As a student, he fostered community through his participation in the Exceptional Men of the Talented Tenth Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the National Pan Hellenic Council. He was also SHSU’s homecoming king in 2011.

Since graduating and launching his first location, Anderson has remained active in building up his community. He has been known to support young men in his local church, as well as student athletes entering and competing at the college level. He routinely volunteers and makes donations to the Houston Food Bank, and has a partnership with Shared Table, which he has helped to serve over 2 million meals through local Houston food banks.

For his exceptional work as a leader in both business and the community, Anderson has received multiple awards and recognitions. This includes three sales awards in honor of how he grew revenue, including achieving over 1 million in sales in one month. He has also been honored on The Imani School Wall of Fame, and currently serves as a co-chair of the partnership committee for Chick-fil-A’s Houston Market Advisory Group. His role as co-chair is one that sees him as one of nine individuals who influence market decision-making for the area restaurants that are collectively make up what is on track to become a billion-dollar market.

After building himself up as a leader at Chick-fil-A, Anderson quickly established himself as a community leader as well. He has utilized his ability as owner of his location to host community events, organize fundraisers or participate in school programs, including mentorship programs with student athletes. He enjoys sharing his story and leadership advice with students through the South Houston High School Leadership Academy, hoping to spread the spirit of service to those around him and cultivate future outstanding young leaders.