Popular Christian-owned restaurant chain Chick-fil-A has found itself the central focus in yet another culture war battle after the company’s CEO caught flack for reaching out to LGBTQ+ activists and inviting them to try a sample of the chain’s popular chicken sandwiches. While you might assume that the outrage over the incident would be coming from Christians and conservatives, but both sides of the spectrum were angry with the restaurant.
Some critics saw it as a needless capitulation and step into the activists’ territory, while others saw the incident as an attempt by the company to soften its image. Regardless, much of the controversy stems from the brand having previously connected itself with traditional values, Christianity, and appeals to a large conservative customer base.
The reaction over the incident was almost instantaneous, mostly due to the fact that Chick-fil-A has never been known to have a neutral reputation when it comes to being on a side in the culture wars. Supporters have praised the company in the past for standing boldly for Christian values in a largely anti-Christian society, while those who have opposed the company have done so due to its messages and statements about marriage and social issues.
According to a report from Spreely, the invitation from the CEO led the restaurant’s biggest supporters on the right to see the invitation to activists as possible flirtation with caving to the demands of woke culture, such as making apologies for past beliefs. These same individuals also feel that a company like Chick-fil-A shouldn’t be seeking approval from groups and organizations that have attacked the business and those who patron it for years.
The report pointed out that the backlash from both sides is indicative of how easily and quickly a corporate leader can get pulled into identity politics. An outreach move can suddenly be read as compromising core values or attempting to smooth things over with those they have previously offended in the past who do not share those principles.
Andrew Cathy, who now runs Chick-fil-A, was interviewed by Craig Melvin, who asked him about the company’s previous stances on same-sex marriage and other issues. “For anybody that hasn’t tried us, we’d love for you to come try and have our great-tasting food and hospitality we’re known for,” Cathy said to Melvin during the interview.
“I think that everybody that would be willing to walk in the door, they’d see they’re welcome to come eat with us. We’d love to give them a great-tasting sandwich and great hospitality,” Cathy continued. Melvin then asked Cathy, “You don’t want to talk about that chapter in Chick-fil-A’s history?” Cathy said, “We’re focused on serving everybody that’s coming and eating with us.”
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Actress and so-called “comedian” Chelsea Handler commented on a post of the interview published on Instagram, “No thank you,” as a response to Cathy’s offer for those who previously didn’t give the restaurant a chance due to his father’s stance on gay marriage, which he made clear in 2012 during an interview with the Baptist Press.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video