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Chick-fil-A Might Be Coming To Boston, But Is It Welcome?

The fast-food chicken chain is beloved for its eats, but has strong ties to controversial anti-gay groups.

 

As The Huntington News, Northeastern University's student newspaper, reports, the fast food chain Chick-fil-A is in talks with the school to open the franchise's only Boston location at the school.  

The chain is controversial because because it donates millions of dollars to groups that are considered anti-gay, including $994,199 dollars in 2009 to the Marriage & Family Legacy Fund, a group that supports "traditional marriage," as well as funds to Exodus International, a group that believes GLBT folks can be "cured" by religion, the Family Research Council, and Focus On The Family

It also has controversial hiring policies, including a belief mentioned in a Forbes article on the chain that married workers are "more industrious and productive." 

The Forbes article also states that "Family members of prospective operators--children, even--are frequently interviewed so Cathy [S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A's CEO] and his family can learn more about job candidates and their relationships at home," and that Cathy would fire an operator who "has been sinful."  

UniversalHub readers are having their say on Twitter, but we want to know what you think.  Vote in our poll, and leave a comment letting us know if you're excited, disgusted, or a little bit of both.  

Editorial note: this poll and the comments section is shared with the South End and Back Bay Patch.com sites.  

  • Should Boston welcome a Chick-fil-A, even though it supports anti-LGBT causes?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Yes, I'm really glad it's coming, and I agree with their political stance.
        98 (13%)
    • Yes, it shouldn't matter who businesses support as long as they offer a good product.
        489 (68%)
    • No, not even really good chicken makes their position acceptable.
        131 (18%)
    • Other: see my answer in the comments.
        1 (0%)
    Total votes: 719
  • This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: Business and Chick-Fil-A

Cory Gudwin

12:39 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012

Love Chick-fil-A, beter chicken than any other chicken chain.
Yes, the owners are religious fanatics. Everyone knows that.
This will change when the founder dies.
Many other companies including Dominos Pizza and Coors have been forced to change policies on gay rights and abortion as political problems became public.

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Chris Helms

3:04 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012

I'm an expatriated Southerner. I don't agree with their politics, but their restaurants are always welcoming and their sandwiches are a must-have when I visit North Carolina. (And the fact that they don't open on Sundays never bothered me -- my friends who worked there growing up could have at least one weekend day off.)

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