Despite a slew of protests since 2012, Chick-fil-A has continued to thrive.
Sales for the quick-service eatery totaled $4.6 billion in 2012, the same year CEO Dan Cathy voiced his support for the Biblical definition of marriage and family, comments that caused proponents of gay marriage to call for boycotts.
In 2018, sales reached an astounding $10.46 billion, making Chick-fil-A the third-largest restaurant chain in the U.S., right behind McDonald’s and Starbucks.
While the boycotts may have been marginally successful, the Atlanta-based restaurant has proved itself to be nearly bulletproof. Their quality service and beloved product resulted in the chain opening nearly 700 new locations since the boycotts began seven years ago.
It all started when Cathy told the Biblical Recorder he does, in fact, hold to a scriptural understanding of marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
“We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit,” he told the outlet. “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”
“We operate as a family business,” he continued. “Our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that.”
While many on the left called for boycotts of Chick-fil-A, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican, launched what he called “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” on Aug. 1, 2012, which resulted in record-setting sales for the restaurant.
Chick-fil-A has been setting records ever since.