Chick-fil-A turns rotten eggs into dough

In a huge marketing event that gives credence to the phrase, "Any publicity is good publicity," the chicken fast food eatery Chick-fil-A, which is closed on Sunday for religious reasons, has packed in customers in the last two days.

On August 1, customers were urged to support the company whose founder and chairman, S. Truett Cathy, recently held to his stance denouncing gay marriage in an interview and was accused of being prejudiced.  On August 2, customers were still packing into restaurants, and a press release stated the company was thankful for their loyalty. August 3 will be "Gay Day" at Chick-fil-A.

"We are very grateful and humbled by the incredible turnout of loyal Chick-fil-A customers on August 1 at Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country," said Steve Robinson, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Chick-fil-A, Inc. "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was not a company promotion; it was initiated by others.

Chick-fil-A drive-thru on Sandy Plains Rd. in Marietta, Ga.

"We congratulate local Chick-fil-A Owner/Operators and their team members for striving to serve each and every customer with genuine hospitality. While we don’t release exact sales numbers, it was an unprecedented day," Robinson stated.

He said that Chick-fil-A, in business for 66 years, has a cultural tradition to "treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender." The company's mission statement is "Be America's Best Quick-Service Restaurant" and it challenges itself  "to serve great food, provide genuine hospitality and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A." 

Members of the gay and lesbian community have said they are planning a kiss-in when they will go to their local Chick-fil-A restaurants and "make out."

According to the company's website, as of March 2012, Chick-fil-A has more than 1,600 restaurants in 39 states and Washington, D.C. and will open 77 stand-alone restaurants and 15 licensee locations in 2012.

©2012 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.