Jeff Johnston, the owner-operator of Chick-fil-A Broadway Crossing, has been named the 2027 Business Hall of Fame Laureate by Junior Achievement of the Greater Tyler Area. The announcement was made Wednesday morning, August 26, 2026, at the Chick-fil-A location in Tyler.
Johnston’s involvement with Junior Achievement spans three decades, including volunteering in Longview, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and Orlando before moving to Tyler 12 years ago. He has taught classes and supported programs. John McDougald, regional executive director of Junior Achievement, stated that Johnston's 30-year history of volunteering and teaching, combined with his entrepreneurial background, made him a "very clear choice" for the honor. Grant Childress, a Junior Achievement board member, highlighted Johnston as a business leader who actively invests in the Tyler community.
Johnston assumed ownership of the Tyler Chick-fil-A in 2014. He expressed his belief in investing in young people and fostering entrepreneurship for Tyler's growth, noting Junior Achievement’s role in helping students understand their opportunities. He also shared a personal motto: individuals should always start from their current position, utilize available resources, and contribute what they are able.
A key program Johnston has supported is Junior Achievement’s Stock Market Challenge, a simulation giving high school students hands-on experience in investing and business decision-making. Students collaborate, make choices, and see real-time results, learning from both successes and setbacks. Junior Achievement of Tyler launched this program seven years ago, with 700 high school students participating last year, making it the largest such event nationally. Childress underscored that Junior Achievement offers practical learning about money, business, and entrepreneurship. Johnston indicated he felt "humbled" and "honored" by the distinction, emphasizing JA's role in opening doors for local students.
Candidates for the Business Hall of Fame must demonstrate compelling leadership in business and community, including successful achievements, personal integrity, innovation, youth mentoring, and charitable activities benefiting the greater Tyler area.
Founded in 1919, Junior Achievement educates young people about free enterprise, business, and economics through hands-on learning in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship, facilitated by business community volunteers. For the 2026-27 school year, Junior Achievement of Tyler anticipates over 250 volunteers reaching more than 8,700 local students. Since its inception in 1988, JA of Tyler has served over 167,000 students.
A reception to honor Jeff Johnston as Junior Achievement of Greater Tyler’s Business Hall of Fame Laureate is scheduled for April 1, 2027, at the Willow Brook Country Club.
