Local Chick-fil-A flooded with customer appreciation

Thousands of area residents, including this table of Winder residents, dined on Aug. 1 at the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Bethlehem on Aug. 1. Photo by Susan Norman

Local Chick-fil-A flooded with customer appreciation

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Friday, August 3. 2012

Comments (36)

Thousands — likely several thousands — of area residents streamed into the Chick-fil-A restaurant off Highway 81 in Bethlehem on Aug. 1 in support of the Atlanta-based company and its Christian CEO’s recent public statements about the biblical definition of marriage. The local manager characterized his pride in the staff's services that day as "super cali fragilistic expialidocious” on the restaurant’s Facebook page, and a corporate spokesman said officials were humbled by the “unprecedented” turnout.
To read the full story about the local event, read the Aug. 8 edition of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Anonymous on 08/03/12 at 05:09 PM [Reply]

Mike, you're going to get to use your delete button with this story haha.

#2 Michael Robinson on 08/03/12 at 06:17 PM [Reply]

It seems like most people misunderstand the issue.

The boycott isn't about what the CEO said. It's about people not wanting to indirectly support something they find offensive. The WinShape Foundation (run by Chick-Fil-A) makes donations to anti-homosexual organizations like Focus on the Family and Family Research Council.

The CEO's statement was only a catalyst for people who were ignoring or didn't know about those donations up until now. People would have ignored it without the donations and as long as Chick-Fil-A continued following the law.

People on all sides are doing what Conservative commenters on Barrow Journal frequently advocate: voting with their dollars.

Chick-Fil-A donates to organizations that fight against every effort to make a group of Americans equal in law and society. I like Chick-Fil-A's food, but it's not the only chicken in town. I can afford to be picky.

#2.1 Nancy on 08/03/12 at 09:41 PM [Reply]

I like the food and people at Chik-Fil-A. I may not believe what he believes but the franchises are independently owed. He doesn't know which if them may hire homosexuals, and I am sure many do but don't know it. Who cares as long as they sell food and are polite. Give this thing a rest there are more important things to worry about.

#2.1.1 Michael Robinson on 08/03/12 at 10:27 PM [Reply]

I'm not sure what you think independently owned means. The franchise buys the products it sells from Chick-Fil-A using the money you give them.

That money goes to the corporation, and the corporation donates it to organizations through WinShape.

Some of those organisations use that money to fight against all attempts to treat a subset of Americans equally.

#2.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/03/12 at 11:30 PM [Reply]

Can you cite evidence of anti-homosexual practices by WinShape (other than they are against marriage between people of the same sex)? I tried looking around last night and all I found for evidence were generalizations, nothing that pointed out that they were abusive in any manner toward homosexuals.

I just want to know what you mean by "they fight every effort to make a group of Americans equal in law and society," by citing actual things that took place.

By the way, I am not disagreeing with you, I am honestly just trying to find out more so I can be better informed.

#2.1.1.2 blah blah blah on 08/04/12 at 11:55 AM [Reply]

I'm sorry, but "Gay Rights" are about you wanting to have the ability to do something that no one else is allowed to do either. EVERYONE in this country is allowed to marry someone of the opposite sex. NO ONE can marry someone of the same sex....so, we all have the same rights. If you want to marry someone of the same sex, then you might as well let people marry animals, the dead, or children.

#2.1.1.2.1 Really? on 08/05/12 at 10:47 PM [Reply]

I'm sorry, but two men or two women who are in a loving, committed relationship who want to recognize their bond through marriage IS NOT THE SAME AS someone wanting to marry a dead person or a child!

#3 Anonymous on 08/03/12 at 10:54 PM [Reply]

Michael. But the franchise is owned by a local. That employes local people. To boycott. Hurts our local economy.

#4 Give me a break..... on 08/04/12 at 07:14 AM [Reply]

The guy can believe what he wants. That's what America is all about. The bottom line is that he exercised his first amendment rights. If you don't like it, don't eat there. Otherwise, shut up about it.

#4.1 Michael Robinson on 08/04/12 at 07:55 AM [Reply]

This is not about someone having an opinion people disagree with. This is about the charity arm of a company supporting organizations that fight for unequal treatment in law and society for a group of people. Chick-Fil-A does this with money you give it when you buy your chicken sandwich.

I think most people understand it at this point, but I wanted to reply to one more misunderstanding to make sure.

#4.1.1 AGAIN on 08/04/12 at 08:29 AM [Reply]

So what? Does anyone tell you how to spend your money? You sound like a liberal. It's really none of your business how they spend their money nor is it anyone else's how you spend yours. I am sure you spend your money on things that other people would not approve of.

Go ahead and boycott them if you want. Vote for Obama and tax them to death.

Here's what I understand: I will continue to eat there or anywhere else I want regardless of their religious views. It's none of my business who they support or how they spend their money. Again, only liberals want to tell everyone else how to spend their money.

Pretty sure everyone understands, but just wanted to clear that up for the ones that don't.

#4.1.1.1 Michael Robinson on 08/04/12 at 09:10 AM [Reply]

You probably have gay friends and family who are afraid to come out because of the laws and social norms these organizations work to create and strengthen.

You support these organizations when you buy from Chick-Fil-A as long as they continue the donations.

#4.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/04/12 at 12:24 PM [Reply]

He has not said that a gay person could be served or even work there. He just said that being a Christian his values are different than yours.

#4.1.2 John Galt on 08/04/12 at 10:03 AM [Reply]

Let's be clear here. While I wonder about some of the strident shoutings from Focus on the Family, and others, their organization's goal isn't to "...fight for unequal treatment in law and society for a group of people." While it may be a by-product, there are by-products of any stance by any group that will be offensive to ANY subset, depending on their sensitivity level.

To extrapolate assumptions on WinShape supporting Focus on the Family and others, is to make a mighty reach. Seems to me you, and others, are coming up empty.

#4.1.2.1 Michael Robinson on 08/04/12 at 10:57 AM [Reply]

You're the first person to read and respond to what I said instead of an imaginary remix. I appreciate that.

#4.1.3 blah blah blah on 08/06/12 at 05:05 AM [Reply]

"/Unequal treatment under the law?"

I'm sorry, you tell me what a homosexual cannot do that a heterosexual person can do?

Heterssexual people cannot marry anyone of the same sex....and neither can homosexual people.

Where's the unequal treatment?

#5 Phil on 08/04/12 at 11:30 AM [Reply]

Why can't he practice his religion? If a Jewish owner ran an establishment they would still believe in thier teachings. If someone from the middle east had an establishment they would practice theirs too. What is the difference? I have the same right to not believe in this way of life as you have to believe in it.

#6 TickedOff on 08/04/12 at 01:05 PM [Reply]

I find it remarkably interesting that Chik-Fil-A is closed on Sunday. The busiest fast food day of the week. They serve the most popular item on Sunday, chicken, yet they are tremendously popular and successful. Yet we vote for Sunday sales. You tell me who is smarter. My moneys on Truett Cathy.

#6.1 Whaaaat? on 08/06/12 at 06:20 AM [Reply]

You do the same thing you did for years before beer was sold on Sunday. You KNOW they're closed, so either go Saturday, and pick you up some, or do without on Sunday. Easy as that, but I know it's much easier to whine about it instead.

#7 anyosigh on 08/04/12 at 07:09 PM [Reply]

I just do not understand any of this. it is non sense the biblical defention of anything should not at one little bit factor into the government defintion or interpration of anything once so ever. Let the gays marry it has nothing to do with anyone life. And let the privately held company say and believe what they want.

#7.1 Anonymous on 08/04/12 at 11:33 PM [Reply]

You are wrong. It affects me greatly. There are 2 gays that live across the street from us. I think is disgusting what goes on over there.

#7.1.1 Michael Robinson on 08/05/12 at 08:26 AM [Reply]

Gay people are no different from either of us. Why don't you go over there and get to know them? You might be surprised at how completely ordinary they are.

#7.1.2 John Galt on 08/05/12 at 09:07 AM [Reply]

It may "offend" you. But if you let it "affect" you, then that's your issue, not theirs.

On second thought, even if it "offends" you, that's their business, and not yours. "Judge not, lest ye....."

#8 Anonymous on 08/04/12 at 08:12 PM [Reply]

Because since Obama and the left has been in power and you don't agree with them then you are a racist or a sexist . There is NO middle ground anymore. And it is just the beginning. If re-elected you want be able to disagree with the left. Then we will be the former USSR. Again he NEVER said he would not serve gays or that gays could work there. He has broken NO laws.

#9 DuWayne R. Anderson on 08/04/12 at 09:04 PM [Reply]

Many thanks to Chick-fil-A for taking their stand for what they believe in.
DuWayne

#10 Matt Brock on 08/05/12 at 02:27 PM [Reply]

I agree with Neal Boortz. How does the actions of two men or two women in their own home affect any on us? It doesn't. Right wingers yell about not letting the government control our lives. I guess it's OK for the government to tell you what you - or can't do - if you are born a certain way. The height of hypocrisy.

#10.1 Anonymous on 08/05/12 at 02:53 PM [Reply]

I do not care what Boortz sez. He is wrong. They are not born that way. They choose that life style. That is like saying a bank robber or rapist was born that way.

#10.1.1 Anonymous on 08/05/12 at 03:37 PM [Reply]

Actually, they probably were born with a predisposition to steal or rape or kill. People are born with all sorts of genetic defects just as people are born with certain talents. However.. just because someone is born with something doesn't mean its right, just as someone who was born blind has to let this define who they are.

#10.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/05/12 at 04:44 PM [Reply]

I think you should try to back up the generalizations you made with credible sources of information.

#10.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/05/12 at 08:11 PM [Reply]

That's like asking someone to backup generalizations about the color of clouds. I feel kind of silly backing up claims that are generally well know. You're telling me you don't believe people are born with specific talents or defects? How about being born bi-polar or with savant syndrome? The FBI alone has countless books on the subject of genetic predispositions in criminals. You can google them yourself if you don't believe me.

#10.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/06/12 at 07:28 AM [Reply]

I want you to be able to back up your claim that people are born with genetics that make them predisposed to kill, still, or rape. (unless you were being sarcastic) Don't give me the "google" argument. Don't tell me about the labor, just show me the baby.

By the way, I found some interesting things about the color of clouds on wikipedia. I know its Wikipedia, but they cite their sources. Honestly, a lot of the things I though about what the color of clouds meant, appear not to be true. It was a good read, really!

#10.1.2 Tao on 08/05/12 at 05:12 PM [Reply]

As humans we currently only have two strands of DNA. In reality we are supposed to have 12.

#11 Matt Brock on 08/05/12 at 09:05 PM [Reply]

Why would you want the government dictating what two consenting adults do in the privacy of their home? Or is it you just want the government dictating to others different from you what they can do? Loved how Boortz gave it to one knuckle dragger who called in about this. It was classic Neal. Telling the caller to quit wanting the government to dictate consenting behavior for adults. The caller then tried to bring the Bible into the argument and the Talkmaster tore him another new one!

#12 dawgmom on 08/05/12 at 09:41 PM [Reply]

As long as a corporation or business is not funded by any government money, they can donate their money to whatever or whomever they please. I just believe that many people who are out marching or hollering about "their rights" have not got a job, or do not have a life. Get one and see how things really work in the world. Everyone on the planet would probably like everything the way "they" want it, but guess what? It doesn't work that way so get over it. Cathy, a CONSERVATIVE, won this one. What company needs boycotting now? Most conservative Americans don't have time to get on the media outlets to stir the pot because they are actually doing something, like working, going to church, family time, maybe eating at Chick fil a!!! Have a nice day.

#12.1 Angel on 08/06/12 at 07:54 AM [Reply]

Who cares who "won", whether it was "conservative" or "liberal"? It's a fast food restaurant, guys. Have we (myself included) as a society reduced ourselves to having a fried chicken sandwich represent our beliefs and opinions or antithesus thereof? Extreme left AND right-wing movements have used media outlets to encourage boycotting of several corporations. To my knowledge, I think most people in general, regardless of political affiliation, are "doing something" like working, going to church, etc.

I think a lot of people are tired of both sides arguing over Chik-Fil-A. The truth is, if we boycotted every single company that stood for something we didn't agree with, none of us would have clothes, cell phones, coffee, cable services, automobiles, etc. There are more important issues in this world to become concerned with other than a tasty fast-food chain.

#12.1.1 anoniemouse on 08/06/12 at 09:46 AM [Reply]

Angel, you are so right! This whole Chik-Fil-A thing has been overdone by both sides. I respect Mr. Cathy's right to his opinion and to run his corporation based on his personal values. I, personally, believe that two consenting adults should be able to get married to one another, regardless of sexual orientation, if they so desire.
I do not think religion, of any kind, should dictate law, as was very well stated above by "anyosigh".
BTW, the statement by "blah blah blah": "If you want to marry someone of the same sex, then you might as well let people marry animals, the dead, or children", is just plain IGNORANT.

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