Chick-fil-A sees growth in business despite gay marriage controversy
A report from a California-based research group on the third quarter earnings of Chick-fil-A has shown that the company experienced growth in its business during the fallout from this past summer’s controversy.
Chick-Fil-A cow toy photo/Phroziac via wikimedia commons
According to Sandelman & Associates of San Clemente, the fast food chicken chain saw a 2.2% growth in visitors from July to September.
“Despite protests and predictions that the fast-food chain would be hurt by the publicity, Chick-fil-A appears stronger now,” reads the statement.
“When compared with the same period 2011, Chick-fil-A in Q3 2012 broadened its past-month user base (chain “regulars”) in 28 of the 35 U.S. media markets where the fast-food restaurant chain is monitored in Sandelman & Associates’ Quick-Track® study.”
Sandelman & Associates, which describes itself as a “market research firm that tracks attitudes, awareness and usage for the restaurant industry,” noted other trends positive towards Chick-fil-A.
In July, Chick-fil-A COO Dan Cathy made headlines when he declared his opposition to same-sex marriage, stating that America was “inviting God’s judgment” for saying “we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.”
Cathy’s remarks drew outcry from supporters from same-sex marriage, with efforts by some city mayors and colleges to ban the restaurant from conducting business.
[…] media a year ago after Cathy made comments supporting traditional marriage. However, the backlash inspired a “Chick-fil-A day” across the nation, in which his supporters rallied behind him by eating at the restaurant […]