Chick-fil-A says it set a sales record on Wednesday, the day that supporters rallied around the fast-food chain amid a debate over its president's opposition to same-sex marriage.
The chain won't release sales numbers, but "we can confirm reports that it was a record-setting day," said Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A's executive vice president of marketing.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee had called on people to buy food at the chain on Wednesday, which he dubbed "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," after a backlash against the company and their president.
The controversy started after an interview with the fast-food restaurant chain's president and COO, Dan Cathy, appeared in The Baptist Press on July 16. He weighed in with his views on family.
"We are very much supportive of the family - the biblical definition of the family unit," Cathy said. "We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that."
On a Facebook page Huckabee created announcing the event, more than 620,000 people said they would participate.
He called for a response to a backlash against the restaurants and its president. Customers flocked to the restaurants on Wednesday, many showing their support for the chain and Cathy's opposition to same-sex marriage.
Gay rights activists are planning to hold a "national same-sex kiss day at Chick-fil-A" on Friday.
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Unfortunately, they are now stigmatized by the label of intolerance. In marketing terms, that's a "consumer barrier". There is no doubt their brand value has been diminished. Even moderates have a sense of social value and could start dropping off.
They had one record day from a PR event. Unfortunately, it won't help them in the long run.
– ADVERTISING ACCOUNT PLANNER FOR OVER 20 YEARS
Clearly- Setting a one day record is indicative of the lack of public support for free speech! Unbelievable assertion.
"label of intolerance. " For having an opinion? LOL. Exactly who did they discriminate against in hiring/promotions/serving?
No, it is called freedom on speech, and it looks like it won today.
Enjoy the antibiotics you neanderthals.
whaaaaaaa we didn't get our way.I'm gonna hold my breath now.Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa sniffle
Like it's hard to find a HUGE group of hateful people in the country anymore? Of course this pathetic eatery did well...they advertised hatred and a bunch of sick, sad, miserable, hateful people that call themselves christian went to gorge themselves on slaughtered animals. WOW! That sounds so cool. NOT!
Gee, you didn't have to look far at all. No farther than the mirror.
So many on this site are decrying the left and how they are bullies and how this is a free speech issue. I wonder what their position was on the Dixie Chicks debacle a few years ago. The far right can be just as bad.
Sorry chick-fil-lame, but I don't buy it. I passed two CFAs yesterday here in Orlando, and both were almost entirely empty. And they are always crazy busy at lunch time!! Maybe elsewhere in the country they found enough ignorant morons to eat their food. But I'm glad we here in central FL have the brains and balls not to patronize classless trash companies.
Oh I totally believe it. Here in charlotte they had to do traffic reports around the lines at Chick-Fil-A. Why would you doubt that so many people hate gays? Gay people get beaten up all the time, even killed. In some countries it's punishable by death. And you don't think a bunch of teabaggers are going to support them?
david, please review the definition of "free speech" as it applies to the con...sti...tu..tion. 1st amendment protects citizens against the governement, not the public.
This has nothing to do with gay marriage. It has everything to do with government bring its force to bear against those whose personal beliefs the politicians disagree with.
True that.
hey liberals...you mad bro ?
Seems like the people have spoken.
I ate there about 5 years ago. My sandwich was dry and greasy! I don't understand why people say they like the food! I've never been there again just because of the poor food quality, but almost all fast food is pretty bad anyway.
That's pretty lame. Yesterday they distanced themselves from the 'movement,' said they had nothing to do with it, and today are gloating over record sales. Overall people want a mindless experience when going out for fast food, not to make a political statement.
Wjy are they saying this when it clearly states in the bible that JC rode an AZZ into Jerusalem
The owner is free to hold whatever view he wants, even ones you might find bigoted and intolerable.
He is free to donate to whatever groups he wants, even hate groups.
The public is free to support him or not with their money, however they want.
Government officials are allowed to express their PERSONAL opinion on these things, they are NOT allowed to use their government power to oppose a business because of it.
Is the owner doing something morally wrong... probably yes he is. Is he doing something illegal, no he isn't.
Stop arguing about it. Decide if you support freedom in this country or not.... if you do, it should be for everyone, not just for those like you.