Let’s face it, there are not many controversial fast-food chains in America when it comes to issues of religion, politics and culture (as opposed to super-size-me issues of fat, cholesterol, calories, salt and other forms of human passion).
However, Chick-fil-A would be at the top of the list for a very simple reason — this family-owned chain is centered in the Bible Belt and operated by people who are not afraid to say that they are Christians and that their faith affects how they run things. If you find that interesting, surf around in the following Google files for a few minutes — click here and then here.
The big, symbolic details is that Chick-fil-A franchises are not open on Sunday.
Anyway, I was surprised to discover that this chain is a major player here in blue-zip-code Baltimore. I learned this in a breezy little business-section interview in the Baltimore Sun with Chick-fil-A president Dan T. Cathy. Here’s the opening:
Move over, blue crab. Baltimore loves its Chick-fil-A.
That’s according to Dan Cathy, president and chief operating officer of the fast-food chain. While on a recent swing through Baltimore, Cathy said the Baltimore-Washington area ranks as the highest average sales market, generating more per Chick-fil-A restaurant than any other market in the nation.
Chick-fil-A Inc. has built a following of devoted customers over the years with its chicken-heavy menu and quirks. Its ads use standing cows who encourage people to “Eat Mor Chikin.” New store openings bring die-hard fans from miles away for a chance to win a year’s worth of free weekly meals. And customers can ask for a behind-the-scene tour of the kitchen.
The focus of this interview with the visiting chicken executive is that fact that Baltimore was one of only two test markets for a new product that the chain has been testing — a spicy chicken sandwich. Now, I know that fried chicken is a key element of the religion of food in the South, but this level of doctrinal innovation is not enough to get one accused of heresy.
Nevertheless, the Sun piece did briefly mention that Cathy is the son the chain’s founder, who is identified as “a devout Christian whose religious beliefs inform company policies.” Thus, readers were kind of asked to read between the lines in these questions at the heart of this interview transcript:
Q: How has Chick-fil-A weathered the recession?
A: Many of our operators decided not to participate in the recession this year. [Laughing] I think we have emotional equity. We have a lot of emotional endearment that has already been built in the minds of our customers, that while they may have to cut back on a lot of things, this is a special treat to eat Chick-fil-A. …
Q: Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Sundays. Have you felt pressure to reconsider that policy?
A: There have been times that we have reaffirmed that decision. We don’t operate outside the U.S. In the ’90s, we thought there might be some markets internationally we might not go into because of our policy of being closed on Sunday. In the U.S., we’re located in some theme parks, but we’re not in all theme parks and a lot of stadiums because we would be required to open on Sundays.
We’ve forfeited a lot of business opportunities because of that policy. But I like to tell people that our food tastes better on Monday because we’re closed on Sunday.
Near the end, the Sun reporter asked a very basic question and, frankly, I am surprised that this very blue-ink newspaper printed the answer. So, kudos to the brave editor who let this get into print.
Q: Is there anything else you want to add?
A: We didn’t talk about our corporate purpose. What really drives us to do all this. It’s a very simple statement: To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.
Now, that’s sort of nice. That certainly sounds like Cathy is a Southern evangelical Protestant, but readers never find that out for sure. He’s just another generic “devout Christian.”
But here is my question: Is that enough? Is this a case in which the Sun team actually needed to press on an ask more pointed questions about the chain and its policies? In effect, I am saying that it would have been appropriate — outside the Bible Belt — to ask a few questions from the point of view of the chain’s critics. I, for one, would have been interested in the answers.
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Comments (16) |
July 26, 2010, at 1:20 pm
Nick
I am plugged into every blog from SF Gate to DC and never heard this newsstory nor an accusation
but if you tell a lie loud enough there is always someone that will believe it.
Me think thou protests in the unverified universe.
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July 26, 2010, at 1:27 pm
Bravo to Chick-fil-A for their policy of closing on Sunday.
I might also note that Hobby Lobby does not open on Sunday either.
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July 26, 2010, at 2:23 pm
Most corporate charters say the purpose of the corporation is to “engage in businesses other than banking to make a profit for shareholders”, or variations of that. I’d love to see if if Chik-fil-A’s corporate charter says the purpose of their corporation is. If it is what the Cathy says it is that would be exceeding cool.
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July 26, 2010, at 5:14 pm
I, too, would like to have read more about Cathy’s religious roots. Our family is Catholic, but we go to Chik-fil-A whenever we have the urge to eat chicken because of their closed on Sunday policy. However, in the Northeast here it sometimes is hard to find one of their places. Decades ago I was a clerk in an A&P at the time the controversy of Sunday openings came up in our state and relied on having Sunday free for homework, term papers, familyy times etc. And I still remember decades later now, the fraud, deceit, and lies that were used by the political establishment and big corporations to steal Sunday from the store workers. Big examples: Noone would be forced to work on Sunday workers were promised. Then workers discovered the law only protected hourly workers, not salaried workers. So, all of a sudden many workers found themselves on salary—so they didn’t get the extra Sunday hours pay AND on scheduling became even more at the mercy of their bosses. And, of course, though stores were smart enough to not put it in print on their application forms, people were verbally asked if they were willing to work on Sunday. Guess who didn’t get hired if they answered the “wrong” way.
And since the state’s media outlets were gung-ho for Sunday openings there never were, that I remember seeing, follow up stories about the persecution of people who believe in observing the Sunday sabbath. And, naturally, today our family also has fallen into the habit of sometimes following the mob to the nearby malls on Sundays. Eating at Chik-fil-A whenever possible has become our tiny Christian protest. I wonder how many, like our family, which is not Evangelical Protestant, also give their business there over the Sunday issue.
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July 26, 2010, at 5:16 pm
I don’t understand the point of your question of “Is that enough?” I live in the south, love the franchise’s food and have personally not heard of any real criticism of the chain. I’m not saying it’s not there; only that I have not heard of it. I think the most profound part of the interview is what you pointed out: that the last answer was printed at all. That was enough for me!
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July 26, 2010, at 6:30 pm
The only reason I already knew about this policy is from a friend who worked in a Chick-fil-A. I suppose it’s a regional thing, but I’ve never heard of controversy here in north Texas.
This appears to be a business focused article; maybe the religious aspects of the company belong in a follow up aticle in the religion section. It did raise questions about other Christian companies that don’t close on Sunday - I’m thinking of the Pilot Travel Centers, but their website is down right now.
I can say the new spicy sandwich is outstanding. Very spicy, too. I like food that breaks me out in a sweat, but not everyone does.
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July 26, 2010, at 8:10 pm
Hats off to Chick-fil-A. I for one, won’t walk in a Drug Mart, due to the fact that not only are they open on Sunday’s, but also Easter and Christmas! Either they care more about the “All Mighty Dollar”, or are atheist-or both for that matter!
Too bad the Blue Book Law isn’t on the books any longer. How sad, that our society seem’s to think that anything doing with retail, must be open 24/7/365! And, that GOD, is no longer permitted to come first!
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July 27, 2010, at 8:07 am
The only thing I dislike about the closed on Sunday policy is that, perversely, I tend to get a craving for Chik-Fil-A right around noon on Sundays, just like clockwork.
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July 27, 2010, at 8:10 am
The writer is careful to not delve into the content of religious belief or practice in any substantive way beyond that stated by the interviewee. I think this is the latest unspoken journalistic practice of keeping an arm’s length from promoting any religion or religious practice. The implicit message is that of multiculturalism, that all religious viewpoints are of equal value, not something for the public square or public consumption and, hence, not really of value. It is the new secularism form of religion.
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July 27, 2010, at 9:57 am
It might have been interesting for the reporter to ask whether the chain’s religious purpose led to a wage or benefits structure noticeably different from those of its competitors.
I’m from the Northeast, and never heard of this place until seminary. But my wife is an ex-employee, and when we lived in Philadelphia she got me hooked on the lemonade. I want some now.
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July 27, 2010, at 12:10 pm
We also go to Chic-Fil-A. We like the chicken, are amused by the ads, and applaud the corporate policy of closing on Sundays. (Hmm, is Sunday to become the new Friday in terms of the penance of not being able to go there??)
I am old enough to remember having businesses close on Sundays. I really wish we would go back to that. It was truly a day of rest. On had to be organized enough to get groceries etc, on the weekdays, but it was nice to not have to go the store on Sundays. That could be reserved for family, quiet time, thinking, visiting with family and friends, listening to ball games on the radio (ok, that really dates me!). I am reminded of the line of a poem - “Getting and spending we lay waste our power.” Sorry, forget the poet/title.
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July 27, 2010, at 2:21 pm
By not opening on Sunday Chic-Fil-A is giving witness to the existence of God, which makes it a noble action. But, I have to admit that I purchase gas, go to restaurants, ballparks etc. on a Sunday and that my conscience does not reprimand me. CJ mentioned drug mart being open on holy days… that kind of reminded me of Luke 14:7 where Christ asks “if one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?” If my wife or son were ill and needed medicine, i would go to a drug store on Christmas, and would be glad that it was open!!
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July 27, 2010, at 3:10 pm
This article was forwarded to me by my Pastor.
I used to be married to a Chick-Fil-A owner/operator. We came on board with CFA in the early 70’s. Cutler Ridge Mall in Miami Florida was the site of our store. There is much I could say about the Christian influence that the Cathy family modeled for my family. I don’t think they need or want the accolades.
Although I’m no longer with Chick-Fil-A, the corporate purpose continues to find meaning and daily influence in my life as I continue to seek to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to me. Yes, as Dan Cathy was quoted as saying, “the Chick-Fil-A corporate purpose is a very simple statement” but supernaturally profound for those who hear and apply it in Jesus Christ.
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July 27, 2010, at 3:27 pm
Patrick, The Christian understanding of Sundays and feast days as being days of rest was never supposed to limit the doing of good, or prevent necessary things like getting medicine for the sick. But do you really think Drug Mart is open on Sunday’s to help people? They’re not. They’re open to make money - and they (and pretty much every business these days) are not about to let that pesky God character get in the way of that objective. Starting sometime around the reign of a certain Henry, we’ve now built a society where moneymaking is considered the one thing needful; contemplation of and communion with God is considered laziness. Kudos to Chic-Fil-A for taking a stand amidst this onslaught of greed and drudgery.
I remember when I interviewed at Trader Joe’s, all their questions, typically, centered around whether I would ‘put the company first’. I told the interviewer that I would gladly put the company second, but that God came first for me, and that when the instruments sounded I would not bow before their golden image. She was so amused with my answer she gave me the job anyway, but she made it clear I would HAVE to work Sundays. I was desperate for money, so I did. Eventually, I got a schedule where I had Sundays off and worked Saturday mornings so I could even go to Vespers. But in the meantime I sacrificed my principles, I bowed to their lifeless corporate idol, if only just a little, and frankly, I was really depressed till I got the new schedule.
I respect Chic-Fil-A for doing what I wasn’t able to do I suppose; but more than that I respect them for refusing to make their workers make the choice I made. Their workers don’t have to choose between being company men or men of God.
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July 30, 2010, at 7:08 am
James, do not be too hard on yourself. We are in a fallen world, and as such we sometimes make choices where before, during, and after we struggle with our consciences, always before God whether we like it or not and whether we realize it or not. And while I wholeheartedly agree it is better not to work on the Lord’s Day, sometimes out of earthly necessity one does.
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July 30, 2010, at 7:14 pm
BJ,
I agree. But when out of earthly necessity one must choose the worse over the better, there is still cause for a bit of lamentation. It is because of Chick-Fil-A’s commitment to allowing its customers, and more importantly its workers, to avoid having to make such a choice against the better that I find them laudable (though I doubt there is much else theologically I’d agree with them on).
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