Posted on 07/19/2026 11:08:38 AM PDT by DFG
Mr. Gil is 92 years old, and works at the Chick-fil-A on Oleander Drive in Wilmington, NC.
He spent decades working in the natural gas industry and when he retired, he greeted people at Sam's Club for 12 MORE years, until they eliminated his position.
Most people would call that a sign to finally rest, but not Mr. Gil!
Two months into retirement, he got bored... so he walked into Chick-fil-A and put in an application.
He was 86 years old at the time.
He's been there ever since.
Not one or two shifts a week either. Monday through Friday.
He says the full schedule gives him more chances to be there for people who need him.
His official job is dining host. Clean tables. Clean floors.
But Mr Gil doesn't see it that way... as he describes it, his real job is:
"I get a lot of people that are coming in, just been to the doctor, and got bad news... I'm able to be an encourager; the Lord gave me that."
A 92-year-old man who could be resting at home... chooses to stand in a dining room five days a week... so strangers on the worst day of their lives don't have to be alone.
And Wilmington noticed.
When Mr. Gil caught a cold and missed a couple of days, the owner said he was FLOODED with HUNDREDS of customers who were panicked about him.
Mr. Gil has zero plans to retire.
He says if you ever see him working, come say hi.
"I don't know what 92 is supposed to feel like, but I feel great. Serving others has always brought me joy because I believe that a smile and a kind word can make someone's day a little brighter.”
We need more of this in the world!!!!
His reply, “It’s far better than being at home with a complaining, nagging wife.”
God bless him.
Awww! That’s the one I go to!!!! That’s the one Jeremiah is at as well!!!! ❤️
Good for Mr. Gil. He is inspiring.
I’m happy he is being treated well at that place, open to the public. Maybe most Chick fil-A’s are less prone to cranky customers acting up compared to a Mc-D’s.
It would have been nice if the writer of this article had chosen to tell us Mr. Gil’s full name.
Speaking of CFA...I went recently and at the food pickup area no one had taken my order. I ask why and they said only app orders are taken at drive-thru. Since I don’t do app’s I guess my CFA experience is over.
Good for him...the pleasure principle had run its course and people hopefully returning to purposeful life.
I don’t do apps, either. And I’m not scanning a damn QR code to see a menu at a sit-down restaurant.
That situation came up last month.
That isn’t good. Vad business move.
Bad = Vad
I’ve been retired for 6 years and I can’t imagine being so bored that I’d resort to working at a fast food place even part time as a greeter. To each his own, I suppose.
If God blesses you with energy and good health, use it to work for your benefit and the benefit of others
“I’ve been retired for 6 years “
I have been retired since 2011.
I know enjoy what I couldn’t while working.
My lazy morning coffee and good music.
“Speaking of CFA...I went recently “
Which one?
I don't either! I went to Taco Bell a couple of months ago and walked to the counter to place my order, like I had dozens of times in the past, and stood there waiting and waiting, finally I asked passing worker why no one had taken my order, she pointed to a kiosk and said that's where orders are placed now. Nope, not for me I don't kiosks either as I always have a custom order, so I went outside and drove through the drive-thru where a live person actually took my order.
“I’ve been retired for 6 years and I can’t imagine being so bored that I’d resort to working at a fast food place even part time as a greeter. To each his own, I suppose.”
The guy looks great for his age. But I can’t imagine doing that. I am retired and keep plenty busy with hobbies and chores.
Haven’t been to CFA for a couple of months, but at that time there was a girl out along the drive-thru line taking orders and another taking payments. Nothing was mentioned about apps, though the one girl might have been using the CFA app on her own phone for all I know.
I haven’t seen any fast-food place demanding that customers use an app at the drive-thru. I don’t do apps either (in fact, I don’t carry a cell phone except in special circumstances), and I’ve never scanned a QR code for anything in my life. I don’t even use ordering kiosks. If a person won’t take my order, I’ll just go somewhere else.
I’d never be that bored to want to return to work. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be busy, however.
Kinda looks like Ian McKellan!
We have a retiree at the What-a-Burger nearby. Same sort of job. Always telling dad jokes to customers!
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