Posted on 04/08/2014 6:13:42 AM PDT by GIdget2004
Chick-fil-A is finally crossing the road.
The iconic chicken chain, as well-known for its conservative heritage as its savory eats, is recalibrating its moral and culinary compass. It wants to go from old school to almost cool. It wants to evolve from a place where gays once picketed to a place where they'll feel comfortable going to eat. It wants to broaden the brand as it expands nationally and plows into the Millennial-driven urban arena. Above all: it wants to be a serious player on fast-food's biggest stage.
USA TODAY was exclusively invited inside to visit the company's sprawling, wooded campus, get the first look at its new test kitchen, tour its store-of-the-future development facility and interview Chick-fil-A's controversial CEO Dan Cathy. Cathy, whose comments condemning gay marriage in 2012 set off store picketing and a social media firestorm, has now fully backed away from such public pronouncements that mix personal opinion on social issues with corporate policy.
"All of us become more wise as time goes by," he says, apologetically, in a rare, one-hour sit-down interview. "We sincerely care about all people."
(snip)
Chick-fil-A's socially conservative agenda, which formally led the company to donate millions to charitable groups opposed to gay marriage, has been tempered. This, just as the company aims to quickly expand into Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Southern hospitality must give way to urban reality as the 1,800 store chain moves to compete with big city success stories like McDonald's, Panera Bread and Chipotle.
If nothing else, Cathy has listened. In 2012, Cathy not only heard from some unhappy consumers about his comments against gay marriage, but also from some store operators and employees. Now, he says, "I'm going to leave it to politicians and others to discuss social issues."
(Excerpt) Read more at kens5.com ...
Oh, and that last comment, as in many here, is a response to a very snarky private mail name calling remark made to me from RA.
Well, I’ve run out of time for playing his silly game. Places to go, things to do. Have a bright and blessed day. :)
Who says I didn’t appreciate your sarcasm?
That wasn’t the subject of my comment. Neither did I deny that last-minute (and sincere) acts of repentance can occur.
I didn’t name call. I said you were basically a jerk, which you have become with your jerk comments. So if it fits, it fits.
He was never ‘anti-gay’ he was pro traditional marriage. We need to stop giving in to the gay lobby lies.
I really supported C-F-A when the gays picketed their stores. Went out of my way to eat at their restaurants and found good food and a very polite staff. Happy - Christian based atmosphere.
I was very disappointed when the CEO appeared to cave to the radical gays and I felt anger at the possible loss to anti religion groups.
If C-F-A opens on Sunday they will be making a big mistake. I have no evidence that they will open on Sunday.
Chick fil A was NEVER anti-gay. The owner was against gay marriage. Gays turned it into a pity party bash that became a ‘hate hit’ on conservatives. I’m bored with gays and their lies just like I’m bored with Obama, Holder and their lies.
I agree with you.
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