Co-Founder And Principal
CurrentBoutique Real Estate Development firm focused on national retail tenant growth.
Jul 2023 - Present
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John Featherston Email & Phone Number
Co-Founder and Principal | Investor | Senior Advisor | Boutique Real Estate Development | Board Member
at
Real Zeal Property Group
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✓ Verified August 2026
3 data sources
Profile completeness 86%
Current company
Role
Co-Founder and Principal | Investor | Senior Advisor | Boutique Real Estate Development | Board Member
Location
Atlanta Metropolitan Area, United States
Who is John Featherston? Overview
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John Featherston is listed as Co-Founder and Principal | Investor | Senior Advisor | Boutique Real Estate Development | Board Member at Real Zeal Property Group, based in Atlanta Metropolitan Area, United States. AeroLeads shows a matched LinkedIn profile for John Featherston.
John Featherston previously worked as Co-Founder and Principal at Real Zeal Property Group and Board Member, Senior Advisor at Rocket Farm Restaurants Llc. John Featherston holds Preparing To Be A Corporate Director from Harvard Business School Executive Education.
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Real Zeal Property Group
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About John Featherston
I have spent the majority of my career developing and implementing the Growth Strategy for Chick-fil-A, Inc. including crafted prototypes, customized deal structures and pioneered new markets for Chick-fil-A including the break-through expansion into urban markets including NYC, Chicago and Los Angeles, successfully negotiating over 250 real estate transactions for Chick-fil-A.I am also the Co-Founder of Chick-fil-A New Ventures - positioning Chick-fil-A as a leader in external R&D and Value Exchange. Chick-fil-A New Ventures drives operational improvement and new revenue opportunities by identifying and implementing new technologies and solutions created by startups to solve real-world business problems. My extensive network in Venture Capital, Private Equity and Startup Accelerators provides a springboard for accelerating technology solutions and creation of new revenue streams.I have a track record of driving meaningful growth through a combination of rapid geographic expansion and the implementation of new technologies and business models. I have started two new companies to leverage my experience and "best practice" knowledge from Chick-fil-A where I was involved in the company’s growth from $365 million revenue to over $20 billion:Real ZealBoutique real estate development firm focusing on national restaurants and retailers, and Horizon Insights Consultancy to:+Implement strategic growth+Create new/alternative revenue streams, and+Activate external R&D / Innovation
Current workplace
John Featherston's current company
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12 roles · 41 years
John Featherston work experience
A career timeline built from the work history available for this profile.
Board Member, Senior Advisor
CurrentChef Ford Fry is the creator of some of America's favorite restaurants including Superica, Little Rey, the Optimist, Marcel, Lil Sparrow and others.
Mar 2024 - Present
Founder And Ceo
Current
Horizon Insights
C-Suite growth strategy advisory services to deliver next level business outcomes.
Jul 2023 - Present
Senior Director, New Ventures
• Founded & led New Ventures to support explosive business growth at Chick-fil-A, Inc.• Evaluate and structure investment opportunities• Pair startup technology solutions with key strategic areas of the business• Activate program to pilot and launch startup technology to the enterprise• Launch Chick-fil-A, Inc. in Venture Capital communities• Anticipate disruptions to prepare Chick-fil-A for the future• Mine startup partnerships for opportunities for product development and commercialization• Head special projects related to Chick-fil-A community leadership and engagement• Develop strategy, monitor emerging trends and synthesize industry best practices
Feb 2015 - Jun 2023
Chair, New Market Entry Team
• Led cross functional team in developing best practices for entering new markets • Built organizational awareness around unique aspects of market entry• Organized New Market Entry summits to disseminate cross-functional best practices• Developed New Market Entry playbook to document strategic results
2012 - 2015
~3 yrs
Senior Director, Real Estate
• Led completion of 250+ deals in 20+ states with overall transaction value exceeding $500M • Pioneered new markets in NYC, Chicago, and multiple CA metros• Member of Real Estate Committee• Co-Developed new restaurant formats in collaboration with design & development colleagues• Applied place making principles to economic outcomes
1993 - 2015
~22 yrs
Chair, Growth Strategy Team
• Implemented analytics to establish market development parameters• Benchmarked best practices for retail growth models• Optimized growth gameplan for Chick-fil-A operating/franchisee priorities• Catalyzed resource allocation to growth disruptors, including aging assets, urban development pattern shifts and rapidly evolving demographics
1998 - 2014
~16 yrs
Operating Committee Member
2018 - May 2023
Board Member, Food Vertical
2016 - May 2023
Global Corporate Venturing 2020 Emerging Leaders Award
2017 - 2018
~1 yr
Atlanta Sustainable Communities Council
2016 - 2017
~1 yr
Vice President, Income Property
1986 - 1993
~7 yrs
4 education records
John Featherston education
Preparing To Be A Corporate Director
Harvard Business School Executive Education
Advanced Management Program
The Wharton School
B.A. Economics Cum Laude
Duke University
Outdoor Leadership Program
Nols
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about John Featherston
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What company does John Featherston work for?
John Featherston works for Real Zeal Property Group.
What is John Featherston's role at Real Zeal Property Group?
John Featherston is listed as Co-Founder and Principal | Investor | Senior Advisor | Boutique Real Estate Development | Board Member at Real Zeal Property Group.
Where is John Featherston based?
John Featherston is based in Atlanta Metropolitan Area, United States while working with Real Zeal Property Group.
What companies has John Featherston worked for?
John Featherston has worked for Real Zeal Property Group, Rocket Farm Restaurants Llc, Horizon Insights, Chick-Fil-A Corporate, and Engage Ventures.
How can I contact John Featherston?
You can use AeroLeads to view verified contact signals for John Featherston at Real Zeal Property Group, including work email, phone, and LinkedIn data when available.
What schools did John Featherston attend?
John Featherston holds Preparing To Be A Corporate Director from Harvard Business School Executive Education.
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