Chick-fil-A reports record-setting day for sales

By Rene Lynch, Los Angeles Times
Posted: August 03, 2012

Chick-fil-A appears to have set a company record in sales on Wednesday, a day on which Americans were encouraged to show their support for the fast-food restaurant whose leadership has drawn both criticism and praise in recent weeks for its opposition to same-sex marriage.

The privately held company declined to give specific sales figures but released a statement confirming that frenzied sales of chicken sandwiches and cross-cut waffle fries had made for a record-setting day.

"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 of marketing, in the statement. "While we don't release exact sales numbers, we can confirm reports that it was a record-setting day."

Robinson said the Atlanta-based company was "grateful and humbled by the incredible turnout of loyal Chick-fil-A customers" who showed up at outlets coast-to-coast. Customers often waited in long lines, many weathering the blistering summer sun, just to get in the front door.

Such images - as well as those of crowded Chick-fil-A counters and long lines of cars - created a social media frenzy on Wednesday as they were shared and reshared on a variety of platforms, including Twitter.

The images suggested that sales were indeed going gangbusters, and confirmation of those suspicions arrived when Orange County pastor Rick Warren tweeted a snippet of a conversation he'd had with Dan Cathy, president of the chain:

"@DanCathy just called me. #ChickFilA has already set a world record today, with 7 more hrs to go in the West. #OutOfChicken"

The company, which abides by biblical principles and closes its doors on Sundays, stressed in its statement that Chick-fil-A did not promote Wednesday's turnout.

Robinson's statement alluded to rumors that another protest (including "kiss-ins") will be staged at Chick-fil-A's on Friday by same-sex-marriage supporters, which in turn has led to rumors of counter-counter-protests.

The company said that Friday would be just another day, and another opportunity: "We understand from news reports that Friday may present yet another opportunity for us to serve with genuine hospitality, superior service and great food."

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