The amusing Chick-Fil-A meme: A meme which tastes like chicken

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Thursday, July 26. 2012

The amusing Chick-Fil-A meme: A meme which tastes like chicken

I am getting a kick out of this dumb Chick-Fil-A story. I suppose it's a good story for late July, for the entertainment value.

As I understand it (never seen one in NY or New England), it's an Atlanta-based, family-owned and very popular chain of fast-food chicken joints. Chicken sandwiches! I don't know whether the outlets are franchised or company-owned.

The founder is a traditional Christian who happens to hold a traditional view of marriage. Most Americans do, but that doesn't matter. President Dan Cathy had the temerity to say:

“We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit,” Cathy said. “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”

I suspect good ol' Col. Sanders felt the same way. So do I. Politicians who desire to show their cultural leadership (who asked them to do that?) are now all about banning Chick-Fil-A from their burgs. You have to laugh. People want to eat these sandwiches.

I mean, like, you know, they aren't banning Catholic churches, are they? Or Baptist churches? Or Muslim mini-marts? Or mosques? Or businesses whose CEOs are Catholics? I suspect the folks at Chick-Fil-A HQ are just enjoying the free publicity, and wondering about this crazy world. They don't need the money. I think the family is still amazed by their popularity and the growth of their recently-tiny, simple business. Plain old fried redneck chicken on a hamburger bun.

Driscoll on the topic

The Boston Globe weighs in (against the Boston Govt for once)

"What I think is funny is that if you have the same view on gay marriage that Obama had when he was elected, now you’re an enemy of humanity or something."

Intolerant Chicago Politicians Block Chick-fil-A From Building on Logan Square …(They’re Christian) …Update: But Welcome Farrakhan

When will the word get out that the owner of Subway is a married, never divorced and never-gay Roman Catholic? Funny thing about this dumb brouhaha is that it makes me hungry for a Chick-Fil-A. I've never thought about it before. They must be pretty darn tasty to deserve all of this attention.

Probably tastes like chicken.

(Almost forgot to mention that the family didn't build that family food business. The government did it. Let's nationalize Chick-Fil-A, and Subway too.)

Posted by The News Junkie in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects, Our Essays at 13:47 | Comments (25) | Trackbacks (0)

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I lived in Atlanta for several months in 2010, and discovered Chick-Fil-A there and then. Surprise! An excellent sandwich, one that would, I suspect, bring a smile to the face of Frank Perdue (were he still a tough man in the smiling business, selling tender chickens), because it's a successful product differentiation brought to a product that, as we all know, cannot be differentiated, but this time after its prepared, and not just in its more-or-less natural state, under plastic and in the supermarket. Mikey in Boston, or Chicago, would like it, guaranteed.

#1 Everyman (Link) on 2012-07-26 14:29 (Reply)

I had my first Chick-Fil-A lunch recently. They have a big menu as most fast food places do, but I tried their original classic Chick-Fil-A sandwich. It was really quite tasty, and I generally do not like any fast food fare, I only eat at such places once every other year or so. It did not leave me with a greasy mouth or annoying aftertaste, just nicely seasoned chicken flavor. I believe the wrapper had a scriptural verse written on it, and the store had no Sunday hours.

#2 Ed on 2012-07-26 14:34 (Reply)

My son also informed me if you show up and order, but are short cash, they won't withhold your food. The assumption being that most people are honest and will not only come back to pay for their food, but buy more.

Apparently, they have studied this and it works.

Is this an urban myth he's sharing with me? He says no, that the Christian owner has said nobody should be denied a meal.

#2.1 Bulldog on 2012-07-26 16:47 (Reply)

They often will also honor expired coupons.
And the employees are always polite. Yes, even the teenagers. ;)

#2.1.1 LS (Link) on 2012-07-26 17:16 (Reply)

I always liked the Cow Campaign http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Cows/Campaign-History, but I swear I saw the water tower painting before 2008!

#3 Steve in CT on 2012-07-26 14:37 (Reply)

I first discovered Chick-fil-A on a trip to Atlanta in 2005, and I agree, I am almost certain I saw that campaign prior to 2008. Here's why - I started my last job in 2008, but by then Chick-fil-A was a known entity to me, they weren't doing anything unusual that they hadn't before.

Yet prior to my taking that job, I was spending quite a bit of time in the South, where Chick-fil-A is very common, and their campaigns ran regularly. So I was very familiar with the "eat mor chikin" campaign in particular by 2008 and I'm certain I saw the cows on water towers before then.

I could be wrong, but I really don't think I am. I haven't spent nearly as much time down in that region since 2008. I know this campaign is all over, but none of it was catching my eye any more.

#3.1 Bulldog on 2012-07-26 16:45 (Reply)

It is something of a tempest in a tea pot truthfully. It's not as if the founder of Chik-Fil-A wasn't a Southern Baptist and held tightly to his basic Christian values when beginning his business and expanding his business empire. Having said that, Chik-Fil-A is something of a closed society in a corporate sense - hyperbole would make you think it was some kind of corporate cult. I'll let you decide for yourself.

The Cult of Chik-Fil-A

The issue isn't as much about his view on gay marriage as it is freedom of speech and religion. And the fact that this is a Christian business. I don't believe you would have seen this much false outrage if, for instance, the company had been Muslim or Hindu or something.

I found myself in the middle of a discussion about this the other day and I finally had had enough - I posted this which, for some reason, seemed to shut up all the complainers, whiners, gay marriage advocates, liberal weenies and even conservative commenters.

I didn't know I had it in me. :>)

"Why is it that any and all resistance to gay marriage is considered bigotry and "homophobic" personal hatred of gay humans? Why is supporting the more traditional view of marriage as man and woman viewed as something unworthy? Can not any individual express the view that one finds moral and practical value in supporting the traditional view without being considered a "bigot"? Are these traditional views automatically "thought" or "hate" crimes? Why is it that criticism of the traditional view of marriage is not viewed as "hateful" and "thoughtless" no matter how vicious or angrily expressed?

Why is it that a successful American company with 1,600 stores and over 6,000 full and part-time employees is being harassed because it's CEO is a Southern Baptist and holds biblical views of marriage? Is that not the very definition of bigotry and hatred - intolerance of a religious viewpoint?

James Madison in the first draft of the First Amendment of the Constitution wrote: "''The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretense, infringed.'' Congress eventually rewrote Madison's concept - to wit: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Certainly, those supporting gay marriage have the right to do so and act as they have - that's the whole point of Freedom of Speech and Religion. But to claim some sort of moral superiority when attacking an individual's right to speak as they wish based on religious beliefs is absurd if not downright antithetical to the very basis of our freedom as citizens of the US."

#4 Tom Francis on 2012-07-26 14:50 (Reply)

Here here !! Well said Tom.

#4.1 Garry on 2012-07-27 06:40 (Reply)

This isn't very strange when you look at the larger picture.

What about resistance to Walmart? They ban those things in several cities. Given what goes on there, I can't blame them. It's like a trashy person magnet. People in pajamas all hours of the day, deserted at 9am because everyone is still sleeping off their last night's fun. One would hope that the presence of a Walmart doesn't induce this behavior in people... but it's not about class, it's about Liberal Tolerance, or the lack thereof for anything outside their wiki.

I grew up on Chick-Fil-A, it's damn good food. How could you apply the same rules to them? Do they cause crime, are they a trashy person magnet? Are they "destroying the community" as Walmart supposedly does? Running mom and pop Chick stands out of business? You simply cannot make the cultural case that Chick-Fil-A brings havoc and destruction as you can for Walmart.

But, lefties cannot simply let people be and that is what's wrong with so much the left does. Totally anti-human.

#5 Philistine on 2012-07-26 16:22 (Reply)

I've eaten at Chick-fil-a many times and love it.
I don't care about their political views. I disagree with them, but I disagree with most of Hollywood and I still go to see their movies.

In-n-Out makes some of the best fast food on earth, and they have the same point of view.

The problem with politicians making hay with this by blocking their stores is simple:
They are putting social views ahead of jobs.
WONDER OF WONDERS - isn't this what Democrats are accusing a "do nothing" Republican Congress of?

It's a fascinating story because it exposes the inherent problems of politicians, their ability to take on a view, even if it runs counter to what they know is best.

So what if Chick-fil-a doesn't support gay marriage? As my son says "they still make a tasty sandwich and they aren't making me believe anything, I just want their food."

#6 Bulldog on 2012-07-26 16:29 (Reply)

That is an excellent point about In-N-Out. I thought the same thing when I first heard about this manufactured controversy. In fact, the food packages at In-N-Out contain references to Bible verses, most of which are listed here: http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/inandout.asp.

#6.1 Kurt on 2012-07-26 18:39 (Reply)

Deviation from the required path must be punished!

Required = That which is approved by the Left.

#7 Sam L. on 2012-07-26 16:46 (Reply)

This might turn out to be a good thing for Chick-fil-a in the end ... I tried to lunch there yesterday ... could not get in the parking lot ... every parking space full and drive-thru was wrapped around 3 sides of the building. I lunched elsewhere, but I plan to try again. I can't be the only one ...

#8 lethargic on 2012-07-26 17:33 (Reply)

Chic-Fil-A is always packed around here. A good friend of mine owns a couple of them and made me a hell of a deal catering my oldest daughter's wedding. It's an overtly Chrisian organization and these days it's highly fashionable to hate Christians. Meanwhile we're expected to treat Islam as something other than a cancer. The scum in our society have the biggest microphones.

#9 ccoffer on 2012-07-26 18:00 (Reply)

One of their stores just opened nearby (in the Midwest). My fiance, a Southerner, said I HAD to try their food, I would love it.

The food's terrific, the service is prompt, polite, and professional.

I think I will ask him if we can go there more often!

#10 Flyover Pilgrim (Link) on 2012-07-26 18:01 (Reply)

Two can play this game of demonizing companies based on the political beliefs of their owners. I for one will never buy an insurance policy from Progressive Insurance Company. As one might suspect from the name itself, Progressive was co-founded by the father of an enormously wealthy, far-Left, big Democratic donor by the name of Peter B. Lewis. Lewis teamed up with George Soros in 2004 to spend mega-millions of his vast fortune in a failed attempt to defeat George W. Bush in that year's election. He's a big supporter of Obama. IMO, any friend of my enemy is my enemy.

#11 Agent Cooper on 2012-07-26 19:04 (Reply)

I have lived in Atlanta for more than 25 years and love Chic-Fil-A!! They have been honored with the best menu among fast food restaurants several times.

What is most interesting about this issue is how intolerant of diversity, the diversity crowd is. The preach tolerance and diversity but do not practice their speech.

#12 Reverendyo on 2012-07-26 19:06 (Reply)

There are lots of companies that I do business with whom I disagree with a couple of things they support. I just recognized though that the companies also supported tons of other charities that I do love. If I desert one company, then I had to ask myself how much I knew about the new company I was substituting for the one I would be boycotting. Well, I realized that I knew absolutely nothing and boycotting was pretty useless then.

I love Chick-fil-a for their service and tastiness.

#13 molloaggie on 2012-07-26 19:30 (Reply)

CFA is the only fast food I'll eat. I do so because I like the food (their chicken noodle, and chicken tortilla soup are outstanding) but more so because they have the concept of service down pat. And they come to your table to offer free refills on drinks! Also, if you're lucky enough to hit one up on opening day, lunch is free. And here in Atlanta a new CFA opening is a regular happening.

Liking CFA makes me no more of a homophobe, whatever the hell that is, than liking Wagner makes me an anti-semite.

To the OP, there are two CFA in Mass., Burlington mall and Northshore mall.

#14 Pete on 2012-07-26 20:18 (Reply)

There IS a Chick-Fil-A in Manhattan. Only one, and it's in the village and is a licensed food vendor for NYU.

#15 peter on 2012-07-26 21:33 (Reply)

Hate to admit it, but I don't like the food. My wife and kids love it, but I don't care for it. I've never had the heart to tell my buddy I didn't like it. Whats the point? I prefer Kentucky Fried Chicken. I think a pickle on a chicken sandwich is gross as shit. Pickles and fried chicken? WTF? That's like mayonnaise on a damn hot dog. Gross.

Good people though.

#16 ccoffer on 2012-07-26 22:04 (Reply)

Boycotts are fair game. Nobody has to spend there money anywhere they don't want to. They don't even have to justify why they aren't spending their money there. Telling others why you don't spend there and requesting others not to is also fair game, as long as you don't force them.

What's not kosher, though, is preventing a business from operating in any locale, because they don't have the same political beliefs as you.

If you don't want to patronize Chick-Fil-A, fine, don't then. That's your right to decide how to spend your money. But you don't have the right to decide that they can't have a restaurant in your city, and that other people can't patronize them if they want to.

There are companies that use fetus cells to test flavor enhancers. This makes me sick. It's not canibalism, yet, but it's heading in that direction while skating on thin ice. So I try to avoid those brands. But I don't demand the companies fold.

There are grocery stores in my local area that donate to abortion funds. I don't want my money going to that. So now I shop elsewhere. But I don't demand the stores shut down.

So, if you don't want to go to Chic-Fil-A, that's your business. But don't demand they stay out of the community.

#17 Sweet Marmot on 2012-07-26 22:29 (Reply)

I like chic-fil-a, and I now avoid JCPenney. It's my money but I'm not going out of my way to demand that Penney's changes their ads. I spend consistent with my values when possible.

#18 KF on 2012-07-27 11:24 (Reply)

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#19 skyrock riem (Link) on 2012-07-28 08:17 (Reply)

Fortunately, the ACLU has realized that if you can ban a business for opposing gay marriage, you can also ban one for supporting it and is taking up the Chik fil a side. After mentioning of course that THEY, ACLU, were, of course, in favor of gay marriage.

If this idiocy were to succeed, it wouldn't be long before Catholic and other churches were banned from certain localities.

While I oppose any change to the definition of marriage including civil unions, domestic partnerships, or whatever other euphemisms for marriage can be dreamed up), I am not going to stop buying from Amazon.

#20 lhf on 2012-07-29 08:16 (Reply)

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Thursday, July 26. 2012

The amusing Chick-Fil-A meme: A meme which tastes like chicken