Posted on 08/02/2012 6:29:02 AM PDT by madprof98
If Chick-fil-A needed any proof that metro Atlantans would "eat mor chikin" even in the face of what arguably can be called a public relations nightmare for the company it need only check its Wednesday receipts.
Fans from Gwinnett County's Hamilton Mill to Fayetteville inundated the chain's metro stores, with lines snaking onto sidewaks and drive-through traffic backing into roadways.
The turnout came two weeks after Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy's comments supporting biblical marriage touched off a firestorm on same-sex unions. But many said the real issue that drew them Wednesday was freedom of speech.
Daniel Jordan of Atlanta, for example, said that while he doesn't agree with Cathy's marriage view, he came out specifically to support Chick-fil-A because he's equally opposed to shutting down a company because of the views of one of its leaders.
Numbers were not available the company has declined interviews since Cathy's remarks, and store managers weren't talking to reporters but the crowds were clearly larger than any on a normal day. Cars lined up for more than a block at some locations. Some diners reported leaving to come back later because the restaurants were running out of supplies due to the heavy demand.
Opponents of Cathy's position are planning a show of unity of their own Friday with a "Kiss-in" at locations across the nation, including CNN Center and the Decatur Chick-fil-A store, which has traditionally been gay-friendly.
"Some people are trying to upset their business because of their opinions," said Jordan, as he munched on a chicken sandwich in crowded CNN Center in downtown Atlanta. "The fact that they don't support gay marriage, what a surprise."
Wednesday's show of support for the privately held company came after former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee dubbed it Chick-fil-A "Appreciation Day" and asked fans to come out in droves. They did, and not just around Atlanta. Stores were jammed in in Houston and Wichita, lines weaved around tables in Alabama, and Florida stores looked more like packed sardine cans than the chicken patrons were waiting to eat. The Rev. Billy Graham, 93, ate a Chick-fil-A lunch at his North Carolina home, according to a spokesman.
Julie Greene of Marietta was one who heeded Huckabee's call Wednesday. She said she and her family , including her children and parents, planned to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at Chick-fil-A in a show of solidarity.
"We love the Cathy family stand on biblical values," Greene said as she waited for breakfast in Powder Springs.
But Greene was quick to say she had no hatred toward anyone. Her support comes down to free speech. "Why can't (Cathy) say what he believes without being persecuted for it," she said. "We have our freedoms. And freedom of speech is one of our greatest."
The company made clear that "Appreciation Day" was not its idea.
"Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was created by our fans, not Chick-fil-A," Steve Robinson, executive vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "We appreciate all of our customers and are glad to serve them at any time. Our goal is simple: to provide great food, genuine hospitality, and to have a positive influence on all who come in to Chick-fil-A."
The show of support won't resolve the brand's struggles in the long term, said Mark Pettit, an expert on crisis management.
"One day of support is not the answer to their PR problem," said Pettit, president and chief executive officer of Atlanta-based marketing firm Creaxion. "They are now a polarized brand, which in business is not a good thing."
At Kennesaw State University, an online petition seeks to remove the chain from the school.
And Emory University's Division of Campus Life said in a statement: "Recent public statements by Dan Cathy, President of Chick-fil-A, do not reflect Emory's values as an institution. Nevertheless, freedom of expression and an open exchange of ideas are also central tenets of the Emory community. Emory therefore respects the right of people to express their disagreement with Mr. Cathy by not patronizing Chick-fil-A."
Erik Bloom, who tagged along with Jordan for a Chick-fil-A lunch, said Cathy should have kept his views private.
"I just think it's dumb to be that outspoken about it," said Bloom, an Atlanta resident. "I think it's a bad business move. In business, you have to be more politically correct."
For Teresa Williams, of Albany, N.Y., Wednesday was her first Chick-fil-A experience. Williams, who was visiting Atlanta, was talked into eating at Chick-fil-A by friend Megan Myers, a Rochester, N.Y., resident, who sang the praises of the chicken sandwiches. Both were aware of the controversy, but were unmoved by boycott efforts.
"Somebody's stupid comments won't stop me from having a milkshake," said Myers, who said she eats at Chick-fil-A whenever she visits Atlanta.
Edward Mitchell and John Spink contributed to this article.
“”Support for, and customer loyalty to, this company needs to be maintained and grown for yesterday to have both meaning and impact.””
I agree. That is why in addition to buying a sandwich yesterday I also bought $100 of Chick-fil-A gift cards to give to charitable Christian organizations.
A person can only eat so much fast food, but you can always give gift cards.
Exactly. And the blatant double standard is precisely why everyone has decided to stand up and say "ENOUGH!"
I did a little research on this “publicist” Mark Pettit. Come to find out, Mark produced “Laugh Out”, the world’s first interactive, gay-themed comedy show according to this press release. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laugh-out-shines-gay-comedy-spotlight-on-hotlanta-56237097.html
Nice job, AJC.
LOL! Good point.
Maybe we have progressed :-) beyond calling it political correctness, too.
Let's call it what it is -
Emotional terrorism.
Is everyone late to the party or what? I have lived in the Atlanta area all my life and Chik Fil A has always been known as religious (they are closed on Sundays) and (to the gay point of view) not “gay friendly”.
Good catch. It’s a kind of hermetic, closed circle, isn’t it?
"One day of support is not the answer to their PR problem," said Pettit, president and chief executive officer of Atlanta-based marketing firm Creaxion. "They are now a polarized brand, which in business is not a good thing."
Their PR problem? What a hoot!
A "polarized brand"? Poppycock!
For some reason, I think their business will survive longer with free speech being the issue. I know we will be eating there more often now.
Defeating the left is easy, really -
just expose them and the origins of their ideology and let people decide.
They know this as well, because they constantly manipulate the language to obfuscate what their agenda is really about.
Apparently the owner of Wendy’s has instructed all their stores to put up signs that say “we support Chick-Fil-A. God Bless America”.
Both the editors and the authors should be fired for grotesque journalistic incompetence. Never mind the stupid editorializing in a supposed "News" story, they are factually incomplete here considering Chic-Fil-A just had it best sales day ever
I am thinking that yesterday was only the beginning for CFA. Our local CFA has only been there for about 3 years. I admit that I would forget to include them in my dining options, but not any more. Yesterday, I was one of those customers that was turned away because they ran out of food. Those that were turned away all stated that they would be returning today to keep it going.
Friday is supposed to be ‘kiss in day’. I can’t go because I live 250+ miles from the nearest CFA. If I could, I would bring 2 friends and signs reading 2.0, 0, 1.5, like Olympic scorers and hold them up when any gay couple kiss. Then flip them over for 10, 10, 10, when a hetro couple kiss. Anyway, I am predicting gay kiss in FAIL Friday.
I heard it happened at the one I went to and then later on the local news I heard that 2 others in the Phoenix area had to close early.
Many people who came out to show their support had never heard of or eaten at CFA. There are now many new customers who will continue to patronize CFA. The left’s attack on CFA has backfired. Bigtime.
And yet Jeff Bezos contributes $2.5 MILLION dollars to campaign in SUPPORT of "gay marriage", and the media response is the old "cricket chorus". I wonder when Amazon will be seen as "a polarized brand".
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