Chick-fil-A CEO Faces Backlash After Deflecting Questions on LGBTQ+ Policy
CEO Andrew Cathy declined to comment on Chick-fil-A's stance on LGBTQ+ rights during an interview, prompting criticism from celebrities and advocacy groups.
Chick-fil-A chief executive Andrew Cathy, the founder's grandson, was interviewed on NBC's "Today" program as part of the "Business in America" segment. When co-host Craig Melvin asked whether the company's position on LGBTQ+ rights had changed, Cathy answered by emphasizing the chain's hospitality and food quality, saying the restaurant welcomes all customers and offers "great-tasting food and great service."
"We’re focused on hospitality, serving great-tasting food and great service," Cathy said when pressed for the company's "official position on equal rights."
The interview clip posted to the program's Instagram account generated a wave of negative reactions from public figures, including Bravo host Andy Cohen, comedian Chelsea Handler and actress Valerie Bertinelli, who expressed disappointment and indicated they would not patronize the chain.
Chick-fil-A's involvement in the LGBTQ+ debate dates back to 2012, when former CEO Dan Cathy publicly supported a "biblical definition of the family unit," prompting protests and boycotts. The company later pledged to avoid a political or social agenda and, in 2019, altered its charitable-giving policy to reduce contributions to groups opposing LGBTQ+ rights, though advocacy organizations remain skeptical.
The recent interview highlights ongoing scrutiny of the fast-food chain's policies and the challenges it faces in reconciling its corporate messaging with public expectations on social issues.