Mark Joseph Morse

Mark Joseph Morse is a candidate for the Laurel Park Town Council in Henderson, North Carolina, seeking election on November 3, 2026. Town council members are responsible for setting local policy, approving the municipal budget, enacting ordinances, and representing the interests of residents on issues ranging from public safety to economic development.

Morse has spent more than two decades in the restaurant industry, beginning his career with Chick‑fil‑A in 2002 and working in a variety of operational roles across North Carolina. For over eleven years he owned and operated the Chick‑fil‑A Lumberton location, employing roughly 90 team members and building relationships with local businesses and nonprofit groups. In October 2023 he was selected as the Owner‑Operator of a new Chick‑fil‑A restaurant on Roberts Avenue in Lumberton, where he continues to oversee daily operations and community outreach initiatives.[11]

Beyond his business responsibilities, Morse has demonstrated a commitment to community service. The opening of Chick‑fil‑A Roberts Avenue was accompanied by a $25,000 donation to Feeding America’s Second Harvest Foodbank of Southeast North Carolina, and the restaurant plans to participate in the Chick‑fil‑A Shared Table® program, which redirects surplus food to local shelters and food banks. Additionally, the restaurant highlighted 100 local “heroes” by providing them with free meals for a year, reflecting Morse’s focus on local philanthropy and engagement.[11]

Morse’s platform for the Laurel Park Town Council is informed by his experience as a small‑business owner and community volunteer. He emphasizes economic growth through support of local entrepreneurs, improved public safety through collaboration with law‑enforcement, and enhanced quality of life by expanding access to community resources such as food assistance programs. While specific policy proposals have not been published, his track record suggests a focus on fostering partnerships between the private sector and municipal government to address resident needs.

If elected, Morse would bring a perspective shaped by hands‑on management, workforce development, and charitable initiatives, aiming to apply those skills to the governance of Laurel Park and to advocate for policies that promote both fiscal responsibility and community well‑being.

Sources

• [11] Chick-fil-A announces new Lumberton restaurant, opening Oct. 12 | BizFayetteville