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New York Lawmakers Introduce Bill That Would Force Chick-fil-A to Stay Open on Sundays
Red State ^ | 12/19/2023 | Jeff Charles

Posted on 12/19/2023 9:28:31 PM PST by SeekAndFind

Chick-fil-A, a popular fast-food restaurant known for its chicken sandwiches and world-class customer service, might be forced to violate one of its most cherished principles due to a New York bill being considered in the state legislature.

New York state lawmakers have introduced a measure that would require restaurants operating at state Thruway service plazas to remain open seven days per week. Chick-fil-A, which was founded by Christians, has traditionally closed on Sundays in observance of the Sabbath.

However, the new bill would put this to an end. The proposal would amend an already existing law and require restaurants to provide services “every day of the week.”

The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 390 to read as follows: 

Contracts for food service. Any contracts entered into for the operation of food services or food concessions at public  transportation facilities owned or operated by the authority shall require that such services be provided every day of the week. For the purposes of this section the term "public transportation facilities" shall mean and include thruway rest areas, service areas and welcome centers. The provisions of this section shall not apply to temporary concessions or events including farmers' markets, flea markets or local vendors licensed or permitted to operate by the authority.

Those supporting the bill argue that it would maximize the use of public service areas and provide consistent service to travelers each day. In the text of the bill, the lawmakers make the following argument:

While there is nothing objectionable about a fast food restaurant closing on a particular day of the week, service areas dedicated to travelers is an inappropriate location for such a restaurant. Publicly owned service areas should use their space to maximally benefit the public. Allowing for retail space to go unused one seventh of the week or more is a disservice and unnecessary inconvenience to travelers who rely on these service areas.

Nevertheless, this type of measure reeks of government overreach. The notion that the state should possess the authority to dictate when a business chooses to conduct its operations is absurd. Chick-fil-A’s decision to remain closed on Sundays is a reflection of the company’s foundational values. Mandating this type of operational change is not only an infringement on business autonomy, it could also be an encroachment on cultural and possibly religious expressions of a private entity.

Moreover, there are plenty of other restaurants in the area where people can grab a quick meal. This bill is just another way for the state to assert control over the populace.

Of course, we would be remiss to ignore the greed factor. If Chick-fil-A is open an extra day of the week, that means it is serving more customers who are paying taxes each time they buy a chicken sandwich and waffle fries. The only one who truly benefits from such a move is the state government, which is likely the primary reason why these lawmakers are making this proposal in the first place.



TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; Society
KEYWORDS: chickfila; ny; sunday
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To: SeekAndFind

What the hell is THAT?? Hey about forcing NY Lawmakers to work 7 days a week? Freakin’ psychopaths.


61 posted on 12/20/2023 4:03:42 AM PST by GrandJediMasterYoda (As long as Hillary Clinton remains free, the USA will never have equal justice under the law)
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To: SeekAndFind

No. If you have a government concession you play by government rules. I cannot imagine a turnpike concession closed on Sunday.


62 posted on 12/20/2023 4:03:59 AM PST by Chickensoup
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To: SeekAndFind

However now I understand that the travelers have other food concession options on Sunday more than one restaurant. In that case this is government overreach


63 posted on 12/20/2023 4:07:19 AM PST by Chickensoup
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To: heartwood

Damn. I hate the voice of reason, but thanks for reading the article, which I had not!

But wouldn’t this fall under the category of “ex post facto” laws?

I guess it would depend on the contract between Chick and the govt.

Still, there is no doubt in my mind that this action is Wokefare on the part of New York.


64 posted on 12/20/2023 4:26:00 AM PST by Liberty Ship ("Lord, make me fast and accurate.")
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To: SeekAndFind

Do like a lot of people and leave the fascist state.


65 posted on 12/20/2023 4:27:23 AM PST by GrumpyOldGuy
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To: SeekAndFind

effen fascists...evil collective. GOVERNMENT v citizens


66 posted on 12/20/2023 4:27:59 AM PST by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization?)
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To: BenLurkin

Deep State is doing the company’s owners a solid.

Thruway patrons need service on Sundays.

If CFA doesnt like that, CFA doesn’t have to take the contract.

But CFA likely wants to start opening on Sundays, doesn’t want to alienate patrons and employees by being seen to jettison the closed on Sunday policy, so Deep State is doing the board’s dirty work for it.

Neither Deep State nor CFA’s board give a rat’s hairy hind end about the public or its needs.

It’s a match made in Hades.

No skin off our noses.

We no longer patronize CFA.

That ship sailed long ago.


67 posted on 12/20/2023 4:35:18 AM PST by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: mewzilla

“Deep State is doing the company’s owners a solid.

“Thruway patrons need service on Sundays.”

Huge step across the line re First Amendment. Siding with the government against Christian principles is dangerous.


68 posted on 12/20/2023 4:40:14 AM PST by MayflowerMadam ("A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once.")
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To: SeekAndFind

Close the stores then and open up in a new location not under a stupid government contract. We’re finally getting one in my little city and will be damned glad to get it 6 days of the week.


69 posted on 12/20/2023 4:42:51 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: SeekAndFind

I tend to agree with this. If you want to do business within the scope of public transportation that operated 7 days a week than your services should also be available 7 days a week. If you do not wish to provide services on Sunday then do not opt to operate in that venue.What would happen if a certain gas station decided they would not sell gas on sunday and they were the only service station at the service plaza and your gas needle is almost on E.


70 posted on 12/20/2023 4:44:13 AM PST by eastforker (All in, I'm all Trump,what you got!)
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To: MayflowerMadam

CFA wouldn’t know.

Truett Cathy is spinning.


71 posted on 12/20/2023 4:45:40 AM PST by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: eastforker

If you want an explanation for what’s really going on, see my reply #67.


72 posted on 12/20/2023 4:46:31 AM PST by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Chick Fil A should respond by shutting down every restaurant the have in New York State.


73 posted on 12/20/2023 5:09:56 AM PST by nonliberal (Z.)
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To: EinNYC
NYC electronics store earns gelt with Orthodox business model

Satmar Hassid owned B&H offers great prices and expert salesmanship — with a dose of Old World inequality

B&H is closed on Saturdays. B&H is also closed after 1pm on Fridays, and on all major Jewish holidays, including, but not limited to, Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot. B&H is owned and operated by Orthodox Satmar Jews, and religious observance is one of the company’s key defining characteristics.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/nyc-electronics-store-earns-gelt-with-orthodox-business-model/

74 posted on 12/20/2023 5:18:51 AM PST by Lockbox (politicians, they all seemed like game show hosts to me.... Sting…)
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To: SeekAndFind

It’s much more crass than this. The bastards just want the tax money. They will kill people selling “loosie” cigarettes…so…


75 posted on 12/20/2023 5:19:50 AM PST by The Antiyuppie (When small men cast long shadows, then it is very late in the day.)
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To: SeekAndFind
And yet

NY E-ZPass Contact Information

Toll Free Phone Number and Hours 1-800-333-8655

Monday-Friday - 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday - 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

76 posted on 12/20/2023 5:23:30 AM PST by Lockbox (politicians, they all seemed like game show hosts to me.... Sting…)
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To: SeekAndFind
'If fascism ever comes to America, It will come in the name of liberalism' -

Ronald Reagan 1975

77 posted on 12/20/2023 5:26:44 AM PST by Fzob (“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential)
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To: Cowgirl of Justice

Rush is right, no doubt.

They are going to hate Judgment Day even more.


78 posted on 12/20/2023 5:27:22 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.)
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To: SeekAndFind

One more reason not to live in that miserable state, I guess. Why can’t they just regulate businesses in a sensible manner? Opening & closing hours should be left entirely up to that particular business. If it turns out to be non-competitive, the business can decide, not the government.


79 posted on 12/20/2023 5:28:03 AM PST by oldtech
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To: heartwood
This is only at Thruway service plazas. Kind of reasonable to have minimum hours.

Golly! If only New York had known this about Chick-Fil-A when they entered into a contract to have them at service plazas. /sarc I-90 is a toll road. If one doesn't like the existing amenities they can always travel Route 20.

Regarding religion, the first amendment prevents Congress from prohibiting the free exercise thereof. If anyone wants that camel's nose in their tent, and it is possible to have the result effect only them, go right ahead, and good luck with that.

It is completely inappropriate (and likely illegal) for the USSNY to stick its disgusting nose in Chick-fil-A's tent on this issue. And if they continue, I hope Chick-fil-A stands its ground and leaves and/or sues the state.

80 posted on 12/20/2023 5:29:16 AM PST by 70times7 (Serving Free Republic's warped and obscure humor needs since 1999)
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