Black History Month Spotlight: Diane Liddell

If you know Diane Liddell, you would see a successful, compassionate, hard-working woman who loves her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. You would also see the highest seniority African American employee in Church’s Texas Chicken?, celebrating her 45-year work anniversary!

However, if you knew Diane at 16, you might have seen a teen mom with not much of a future. This was never how Diane saw herself. When Diane discovered she was expecting at the young age of 16, she made no excuses and promised to make a life for herself and her son. Diane committed to being a hard-worker, just as her parents raised her, in spite of the hurdles single-motherhood would bring.

When Church’s Texas Chicken opened on Medgar Evers Boulevard in Jackson, Mississippi, Diane made it her goal to work there. Initially, she was not hired but her persistence paid off. Two years after the doors to Church’s opened, Diane was their newest cashier in May of 1978. Soon after Diane started, her manager recognized Diane’s ability to work hard, solve problems, and lead a team. He promoted her to shift leader and within two years, Diane was an Assistant Restaurant General Manager. When Diane first wanted to work for Church’s, she thought of it as another job in a nice new building, conveniently located close to where she lived. Within a year of working for Church’s Texas Chicken, Diane realized the potential this brand offered and she has not looked back since.

Diane started as a cashier 45 years ago, and steadily advanced to Market Leader with a portfolio of eight restaurants. Over the years, Diane has contributed to the development and promotion of dozens of team members. We celebrate Diane and recognize because of her, we have the opportunity to spread the bold taste of Texas to our guests in Mississippi, Louisiana, and many other states through herself and the many people she developed.

When asked what Church’s means to her, Diane took a deep breath in, responding, “I love Church’s. This company taught me so much more than just how to run a business; it has taught me loyalty. I have made lifelong friends. I will forever be grateful to Church’s and the career I’ve built here.”

Diane’s dedication to the team, guests and community, makes her a leader among leaders. She embodies the spirit of our brand and brings it to life!

Diane, Thank you for 45 years of living “Our Texas Way!” ??