Chick-fil-A bracing for Round 2
(Updated 6:21 p.m.)
While chickens are running for the hills and competitors are turning green with envy, Chick-fil-A accountants have to be giddy over Wednesday’s packed restaurants as patrons bought chicken sandwiches in droves to show support for company President and COO Dan Cathy.
The question now is whether there will be a repeat of the crowds Friday when gays and lesbians are expected to turn out for a “National Same-Sex Kiss Day” to protest Cathy’s recent warnings that the nation is “inviting God’s judgment” because it is trying to “redefine” marriage as anything but being a union between and man and woman.
The Atlanta-based privately held company said it had a record sales day Wednesday, though it didn’t provide specifics Thursday in comments to the AJC. “While we don’t release exact sales numbers, it was an unprecedented day.”
As for the fallout over Cathy’s recent comments, the company earlier said, “Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”
Thousands of people in metro Atlanta and across the nation packed restaurants for Wednesday’s “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” led by former presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee. The former Arkansas governor told Fox News the day’s success went beyond “anything I could have imagined.”
Huckabee also said he doesn’t oppose Friday’s protest, “As long as they’re orderly. As long as they don’t disrupt the flow of customers and traffic,” he told Fox.
Friday’s “Kiss Day” is being sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which has called for a boycott of Chick-fil-A not only for Cathy’s comments but also for the millions of dollars GLAAD says Chick-fil-A, through its WinShape philanthropic wing, has donated to groups that lobby against legalization of same-sex marriage. In its “Skip the Sandwich” campaign, GLAAD wants patrons to take the $6.50 they would pay approximately for a meal and donate the money to gay and lesbian rights groups, and post “Kiss Day” pictures on the Internet.
Even some of Chick-fil-A’s competitors appear to be trying to catch some of the attention. According to CNN, some Wendy’s franchises in the Carolinas erected signs outside their restaurants that said, “We Stand With Chick-fil-A.”
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412 comments Add your comment
Just saying
August 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
Don’t think I want to be there when a gay person tells Jesus to stop being a hater. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. After all, Jesus did die for that gay person. Such hatred!
Red Bull
August 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
TrishaWisha needs a history lesson…she’s making up things she overheard on Fox Noise.
What does Obama have to do with his father anyway? His father is NOT the President. Now Mittwitt IS a candidate so he is target for fodder. Not his dad but HIM. He has a couple of wives on the side. I heard it on Fox Noise so it’s got to be true.
Stunned & Amazed
August 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
way to go Lilly!!!
splavistic
August 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
Happy Chick-On-Chick-Fil-A Day! Haterz.
Maxx
August 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
Sanctity of marriage? Um, most marriages end in divorce
Chappy
August 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
My two cents to people who call themselves Christians and think they have to get drawn into this false battle (waged mostly by the media for advertising clicks): you don’t believe in homosexuality, don’t be it. But this whole accusing self righteous thing isn’t proper, not from a legal or moral or Christian standpoint. The love of God draws to repentance. People are so immature they start this name calling and your going to hell dialog and you look a ignorant as they believe you are. go read your book again if you think that the political dialog against are really words that ought to come out of your mouth,(according to hat your book says) or that the accusations are doing anything but condemning yourself by your own words. You need to respect the fact that we are free will beings. The vast majority ought to seriously be working on their own beams and leaving alone their neighbors mote. Politicians who pander to get votes by making this a reactionary issue are deceitfully using your religeous believes to drive a wedge and gain power for themselves and are creating ignorant haters from people whose God called them to live and serve. Go read your book and chose to love your neighbor, if you are what you say you are and stop being led by the nose for advertising revenue.
Some homosexuals have been terribly emotionally damaged by others and some choose the lifestyle for its excesses, but they (consenting adults) have every right to the free choices they make that you do. There are more promiscuous heterosexuals with abominable behaviors doing what is wrong according to your book, homosexuals are a minority. Do you have “rights ” to demand them to behave the way you are supposed to be? The answer to that question is no. This culture war will show itself for what it is if you stop buying into politicians using it for personal gain. I don’t want my freedoms impacted by either of you. The dialog needs to grow some respect. Both sides need some work.
Armond
August 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
“In its “Skip the Sandwich” campaign, GLAAD wants patrons to take the $6.50 they would pay approximately for a meal and donate the money to gay and lesbian rights groups, and post “Kiss Day” pictures on the Internet” Now that has to be one of the DUMBEST things that I have ever heard… GLAAD could have said hey Johnny’s Pig Feet and MULE EARS supports GLAAD… So go there on FRIDAY and to help support our cause. But noooooo they didn’t. They just said donate to us and post a silly picture… What are u going to get for your hard earned $6.50…Acouple of likes on facebook or retweets on twitter…Nah I will pass on the donation and let me a get #1 with a coke, because at least I will a full belly… because I cant eat them LIKES or Retweets
Everyone Calm Down
August 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
Alana if you have proof that CFA has discriminated against gay employees and customers by either A) denying wages, or employment opportunities based solely on sexual preference, or B) denied service or provided poor service to customers based solely on sexual preference, I would love to hear it. That is discrimination.
Al
August 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
Just an out of the way comment. I am an accountant, and I can honestly tell you, many of us do not give a crap if a company is making a bundle of money. On the contrary, it might piss us even more.
JTnBAMA
August 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
Why support Christian marriages? Most end in divorce because one or both of them commit adultery with someone outside the marriage. What does the Bible say about adultery? Gay people have traditional family values as well…it just didn’t fit the mold that society has created.
Ducktown, GA
August 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
The END, “Hey Chuck did you skip the part of the Constitution that gives separation of church and state, not to mention freedom of regilion or lack there of”
2 THINGS HERE:
1) Cathy is not the govt (actually he is since he pays taxes, but that’s not how our govt sees it)
2) Nowhere in the constitution does is provide for “separation of church and state”. There is freedom of religion, but not the separation. I’ve had many a lawyer remind me of that. I haven’t actually looked, but apparently it that is the case. Somehow, everyone just thinks it’s there, and it’s not.
non-bigot
August 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
I think that group that supports this bigoted company should go in and eat that greasy artery clogging food on a daily basis. I’m sure the problem will take care of itself
TrishaDishaWarEagle
August 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
@H.G. The opinions of those who can’t or who don’t vote don;t count or matter, however, gays are a much tinier minority than blacks were, and especially among blacks, not nearly as well tolerated.
Grow Up
August 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
Let’s imagine for a moment that the laws of our country are based on two concepts: 1. we can do whatever we want as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, and 2. we can do whatever we want as long as all parties are consenting to the action (and let’s just say 18 is the age of consent.)
If this is true, then homosexuals should be allowed to be married, correct? Two adults that love each other, want to marry each other, it’s not hurting anyone else, so what’s the big deal? Right? So, continuing with that logic, why is polygamy wrong? Consenting adults that all love each other, are cool with multiple people being in a marriage-type relationship, still not hurting anyone else, so what’s the problem? It can’t be that 2 is ok and 3 is wrong. Surely the number attached to the relationship isn’t the issue. Why are you bashing Mormons when your beliefs are based on the same conceptual rights?
I am a Christian and I do not support marriage for homosexuals, but wouldn’t fight civil unions. Why? Because I believe marriage to be a religious institution, not a governmental one.
Red Bull
August 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
The Mittwitt hasn’t said ANYTHING about Obama’s foreign policy since he returned from that debacle of a trip. TrishaWisha will have a short memory here. It was one of Mittwitt’s main political agendas against Obama. Now we don’t hear a word on that front. Mittwitt showed the entire world what a foolish, bumbling a$$ he truely is at his debutante showing. LMAO!!! Obama will tear him to shreds in the debate. Get ready TrishaWisha. Or is it wishywashy? like flip-flop….
Right?
August 2nd, 2012
3:50 pm
What if you’re only gay sometimes?
Does that mean you can only eat at CFA sometimes?
Rich Black
August 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
How many people today would applaud Hitlers right to free speech? How many people would march to protect the free speech of Alabama Governor Wallace?
Clevon
August 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
The Bible is (VERY) clear: Marriage is between a Man and a Woman. Why this surprises people, for a restaurant that is closed on Sunday to respect GOD, is incomprehensible. But, then again, this is an America that elected Barak Obama, and will most likely re-elect him. WOW.. Stupid, clueless people never seem to amaze.
Now, my opinion, if a gay couple wants a ‘civil union’ so they can have the same benefits of Married people, so be it. But MARRIAGE is very clear, and it is ONLY between a Man and a Woman. It’s Biblical for Christ’s sake!!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
August 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
RedBull is being typical of the left thus far , as he is totally lying about Romney. All the left pro hussein crowd has are lies, because the truth is so damaging to big eared barry and his buttboys.
Rich Black
August 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
Dear Grow up: Whether you believe it or not marriage is a governmental institution. Churches already have the right to deny same sex marriage. You are dumb.
LOL
August 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
@ Lis on August 2, 2012 11:43am wrote:
This how DemocRATS PARTY RUN THEIR GOVT = SOCIALIST COMMUNIST TYRANNY FASCIST,CRONIYSM ..NOTHING different in IRAN /CHINA/RUSSIA/HITLER This is one more example of that “top-down” totalitarianism exemplified by the modern democrat party,The party is led by Elistist wanna-be communist totalitarians who are intent on forcing their idea of perfection down everyone else’s throat waith until their GOD OBAMA GET RE-ELECT .. He will real a-hole dictator.
VOTE OUT ALL FASCIST AND NO BAMA 2012 , Put Romney In charge
______________________________________________________________________________
my response as one of those terrifying liberal democrats….
HAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHAAHAAAHAA. OMG – you are hilarious. What rock did you come out from under?
GodisanAtheist
August 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
The bible is mythology not fact.
Love is a good thing, regardless of sexual orientation.
Religious zealotry is bad and dangerous, think Crusades or al Queda.
Mr. Cathy is a delusional moron who ascribes to mysticsim, but he is entitled to his opinion.
I no longer eat there, and the fries suck anyway!
Right?
August 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
Stupid clueless people = Wal-Mart Republicans
jj
August 2nd, 2012
3:55 pm
When everyone stops with the name calling and tantrums inisiting they are right they will realize that the solution is simple – it doesn’t require that you “change your views” it allows for those that hold their religion dear to do so without persecution….
Take the freaking government out of the church – period! EVERYONE that wants to become man and wife, man and man, wife and wife etc goes to the government for a license of civil union. The term Marriage is a sacrament in many religions and thus the opposition to Gay “marriage”. If we do this then EVERYONE gets what they want. LGBT can have the came civil union that any straight couple can and then each and every church can offer the sacrament of marriage to their members as they see fit. Those that see it as male and female only can and those that see it as same sex can and those that dont want to be associated with a church can still have all of the benefits and rights that are offered to everyone else. Come on people – this is realling getting old. Let’s fix it and move on!
Woodstock Joe
August 2nd, 2012
3:56 pm
I humbly submit that this has gone too far on both sides. Opposing views on same sex marriage, gun control, abortion, etc. are all very polarizing. However, belief and support (including financial support) does not and should not equal hate against the opposing view.
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
No man, woman or company is perfect. If we refused to do business with anyone with whom we disagreed, then we would never do business with anyone.
I think the following article helps add some much needed perspective for all of us.
http://www.perrynoble.com/2012/08/01/ben-jerrys-chic-fil-a-political-correctness/
Here’s hoping to a little more civility – better yet humanity from all of us. In the America, it is our differences and our tolerance of each other that make us the great melting pot. When cooler heads prevail, I hope we can all have a nice Chick-fil-A combo #1 followed by a bowl of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
August 2nd, 2012
3:56 pm
Mitt sewed up a lot of financing in Jerusalem by declaring it the Jewish capital like Israel has declared for 15 years but obama will never say it..Sheldon Adelson wrote another big check with which to smite the painted moor hussein with..and the brits are has been’s, who cares what they think..they lost their empire..they should have taken hitlers 1932 advice and killed ghandhi..but alas they didn’t, now we ignore them.so I would call the Romney foreign policy trip a great win.
Cathy's Brain
August 2nd, 2012
3:57 pm
I could wile away the hours
conferring with the flaggots
consulting with my shame
And my head I’d be scratching
while my thoughts were busy hatching
if I only had a brain!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
August 2nd, 2012
3:57 pm
“Jesse, where all da white womens at?”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
Right?
August 2nd, 2012
3:59 pm
Um Ray,
I think I’ve read a lot more on here written by the Bible thumpers…
H.G. Pennypacker
August 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
Trisha, no matter how you dress up or justify your bigotry, it is just that.
And for those that cite the Bible, look a couple of verses up from the part about homosexuality and it says that if you kill a bird or animal you must drain its blood and cover it with earth. I have visited a chicken processing plant and I can assure you that they are not doing that, so I believe you all are eating sinful chicken sandwiches.
Oy!
August 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
Never did I imagine the day where I couldn’t have my #5 8-count without being surrounded by extremist nut jobs. If you’re not talking about chicken, keep your mouth shut. Now I have a vision of Sarah Palin in my head associated with Chick-fil-A, YUCK! I think the institution of marriage has been destroyed and made mockery enough judging by the current divorce rate.
kelly
August 2nd, 2012
4:01 pm
You morons, we can make babies. That’s one reason we need to get married – for them. Chik-fil-A will be a distant memory in 25 years, and this is why. Gay marriage is inevitable – surveys show its just a matter of time – older folks dying off and younger folks voting. The pictures taken at the Chik-fil-A appreciation day will be like the ones at the anti-school integration rallies – shameful and bewildering. Enjoy your chicken all you want – cowards feel more comfortable in crowds – but soon you may just have to concede the political majority – but that’s ok – we’ll be nice – we just want to love, be loved, and be free from persecution.
Red Bull
August 2nd, 2012
4:03 pm
More Fox Noise WishyWashy? It is YOU who lies. You get all your information from Faux Fairytales. Do yourself a favor and open the BBC, the NYTimes, the WashingtonPost, ChicagoTribune, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, LA Times…you know REAL news and not just some blog on the AJC. LMAO…TrishaWishyWashy gets her information from a blog. Figures. Sad little Mittwitt..the only way he can possibly win is to BUY the election from the world’s weathiest. But there are more of us than them so FAIL. We win.
Philman
August 2nd, 2012
4:05 pm
Poor Georgia!!! We are going backwards we need to move forward!!!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
August 2nd, 2012
4:05 pm
You could wax and shave your privates
and borrow your sister’s dresses
pretending to be bo peep..
But with HIV a-spreadin’
Rare skin cancers you’ll be dreadin’
If you want to be a gay
Rich Black
August 2nd, 2012
4:05 pm
Ray….check out the stats. Gay Americans earn a substantially higher income then other Americans. That why all they young republicans move in to the neighborhoods and ruin them.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
August 2nd, 2012
4:06 pm
wow damn near anything fits that tune
puntthemarxist
August 2nd, 2012
4:06 pm
Ha ha, if GLAAD thinks chick fil a will let people loiter inside the restaurants, kissing, without buying anything…they got another thing coming. I’m sure stores will have security on hand as well…but good luck with that!!
Rich Black
August 2nd, 2012
4:07 pm
Same group of idiots that support CFA and “freedom of Speech” didn’t stand up and support the Dixie Chicks for their views. Such hypocrites.
Cathy's Brain
August 2nd, 2012
4:07 pm
TrishaWishyWashy…why do you talk about yourself like that? God teaches us to love thyself as thy loves thy neighbor.
Quandry
August 2nd, 2012
4:08 pm
What about the bisexuals?
Does that mean they can only eat half a chicken sandwich, since they’re only half gay?
Or…
Does it mean they can’t decide if they should eat at CFA or not, because they can’t make up their mind?
Turtle Man
August 2nd, 2012
4:08 pm
You would never see that many Christians lined up to help at a food bank or homeless shelter…and that is something Jesus actually said to do!!!
c-bear
August 2nd, 2012
4:08 pm
Homosexuality goes back to the beginning of time. it didn’t just happen in the recent past. Not everyone breeds. The is a place in this world for everyone. Any everyone has a right to be loved. Straight people have put such a stigma on homosexuality that it can do nothing but backfire on them. There are many cultures that are not Christian and embrace all. Homosexuals played a major part in building the Churches and still do. Straight priests/pastors/deacons whatever lol. My son wants to be a priest (straight people think GAY) what irony! Christians PREY together.
NotYou
August 2nd, 2012
4:08 pm
Jeremy
August 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
The number of families that will not eat there everyday of the year has a much greater financial impact than these church sponsored one day eat ins.
—————————————————-
Exactly…so CFA will be fine.
Philman
August 2nd, 2012
4:08 pm
Scary people here!! I suppose bunch of red necks again!!!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
August 2nd, 2012
4:10 pm
Kelly thinks the gay 1.5-3% of the population is a coming majority? Or did you mean Latinos,whom you may want to check into..they are the most anti gay marriage and most religious voting block..all catholic and they listen to the pope.
Red Bull
August 2nd, 2012
4:11 pm
If anyone was wondering if Trishawishywashy is a typical rightwing nutjob, hate-monger bigot, well one should have no question now. Thanks for showing everyone what a total a$$ you are. You other rightwings want to claim this fool as one of your own?
JP
August 2nd, 2012
4:12 pm
I am gay, and I support Chick-fil-A. Recent events actually make me want to dine there more often. I have a message to others who happen to be gay: Dan Cathy’s first ammendment rights under the Constitution trump, supersede and are paramount compared to any special rights that misguided gays seek to extract. As Libertarian, Neal Boortz eloquently points out, gays indeed ARE afforded equal protection under the law. Let me try to explain this as well as Neal articulates it: a straight man under the laws of Georgia cannot marry a gay man, just as a gay man cannot marry another gay man. Likewise, a gay man CAN legally marry a woman, just as a straight man may do. Thus, equal protection under the law. There is no difference and this point is irrefutable. Now there are two ways gays may effect change here: (1) move to a state where one can legally marry a person of the same sex, or (2) petition to put gay marriage on the ballot in Georgia (you know, “community organizing”, the very thing the worst president in history did in his Chicago days). Furthermore, the fascists beliefs of Rahm Emmanual, some sleezy Chicago aldermen and mayors of other cities, wherein they wish to DENY a private business the right to set-up shop is unconscionable, alarming and wholly un-American. Could you imagine the outrage from the left if a Muslim run business were summarily dismissed and denied THEIR right to operate a restaurant chain and earn an honest living? Thank you, Dan Cathy! Its your business, and your family built it! And thanks for what you’ve done for scores of youth who have worked for your great Atlanta company and furthered their own dreams and aspirations as a result!
Red Bull
August 2nd, 2012
4:14 pm
trishawishywashy come on….repost that awesome little nursery rhyme on THIS page. Wouldn’t want the newcomers to miss out on your insight now would you?
Pro Chick-fil-a
August 2nd, 2012
4:14 pm
I will say it AGAIN good for Chic-fil-a. They don’t owe an explanation or for the founder’s view to gays or heterosexuals. You people are plain dumb whether you are from the north, west coast, south, midwest, etc. Shut the heck up and don’t buy Chic-fil-a. They will ALWAYS be in business just like there will ALWAYS be Christians who support this belief.
Lis, you are about as dumb as the rest of these people that are mad millions of people are against same sex marriages. All I have to do is respect you as a person, your “lifestyle” is a choice YOU made …not us.
I will be at Chic-fil-a again tomorrow to show my support of them. I agree with you both Shea and Sandra!!!!