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It’s not exactly on the level of serving cheeseburgers. But a recent addition at Chick-fil-A has some loyal customers upset.
The fast-food chain based in Atlanta hired a Vice President of a new Diversity, Equality and Inclusion division in November 2021.
For some conservatives who adore Chick-fil-A’s Sunday closing policy and consider DEI a liberal plot, it’s trouble.
“What is going on with Chick-fil-A?” Baptist missionary Spencer Smith asked on social media last week. He followed up more specifically Tuesday by asking if the company “has officially gone…” followed by a “pride” rainbow flag.
Chick-fil-A’s website has a DEI page. It notes the company’s purpose is to “glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.”
DEI Vice President Erick McReynolds adds that the goal is to treat all customers well with three focus points: “ensuring equal access… valuing differences” and “creating a culture of belonging.”
The page goes on to note that Chick-fil-A does not discriminate or allow harassment due to sex, race, religion, “sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression…”
But the conservative critics have come to expect Chick-fil-A to be different from other restaurants. So different that it was blocked from the San Antonio airport for a time because of upset city council members.
“DEI is a slippery slope to go woke, go broke,” wrote Justin Dean, marketing director of the Tithely app which assists churches with their finances.
A step too far for conservatives came when a Louisiana restaurant recently saluted an employee named Tavion. Christian Post noted the young man looked too effeminate for some.
But so far, any changes in Chick-fil-A’s corporate thinking are not affecting its bottom line.
The company’s “global impact report” shows it added 138 new restaurants last year, including its first-ever locations in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. QSR Magazine reported last week that U.S. sales were up 13%.
But the company’s first-ever restaurant at Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall will close later this year.