The Roaring Success of Chick-fil-A in New York City

 

Remember when Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said that Chicago would not welcome a certain chicken sandwich restaurant? Or when Boston Mayor Tom Menino wrote a letter to that same company’s president saying that there was “no place for your company” in Boston? Good times. But in spite of liberal outrage over an executive expressing his views on marriage and sexuality, the hateful bigots at Chick-fil-A have opened a restaurant in Manhattan. And each day the line to enter winds down the sidewalk.

Just another success story the Mainstream Media won’t tell you.

Your humble correspondent’s interviews in line last weekend revealed that patrons were mostly New Yorkers originally from the South, or people who had tried Chick-fil-A previously while in the South. They were loyal, eager, and willing to wait for a few minutes in a line that looked daunting but moved rapidly. All our orders were handled with typical Chick-fil-A courtesy, and we had our order in less than twenty minutes.

The place was full, but not chaotic, and they clearly had a system for handling the volume. When I asked one of the staff if the crowd was typical, he said Saturday is their slow day; they are even busier on weekdays.

So, I imagine the clientele is made up of people who: 1) Don’t know they’re supposed to be offended by Chick-fil-A; 2) Know but don’t care; or 3) Go there on purpose to support the business. Or maybe people just love delicious waffle fries.

The restaurant opened in October, and almost immediately broke the chain’s sales records. Chick-fil-A itself outperforms similar restaurants in terms of sales even though it has fewer locations and is only open six days a week.

Published in Culture, Marriage
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  1. Jimmy Carter Member
    Jimmy Carter
    @JimmyCarter

    REED

    MOR

    RIKOCHET

    • #1
  2. Whiskey Sam Inactive
    Whiskey Sam
    @WhiskeySam

    I need to hit this next time I’m up there.  They have two locations within a mile of each other here, and both stay packed.

    • #2
  3. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Chick-fil-A is good eating. I’d drive past a McDonalds to get to a Chick-fil-A.

    • #3
  4. Pencilvania Inactive
    Pencilvania
    @Pencilvania

    Haven’t seen you lately, Olive, nice to hear from you again! Great story!

    When the whole Chik-fil-A boycott-turned-buycott blew up a while back, I determined to sample the one about 20 minutes from my home.  It was raining steadily that day and I just wanted to do the drive thru, support the restaurant, and bring home a nice dinner for my husband & me.  I drove into the packed parking lot and maneuvered into the drive thru line; all around, people were parking and jumping out of cars with two, three, four kids, running through the rain into the restaurant. I finally got to the order window with one smiling attendant, then to the pay window with another smiling attendant, and was ready with a $20 bill to keep the line moving fast.  The girl handed me my bag of food and said “You can keep it, ma’am, the man ahead of you paid for your order!”

    I stared for a sec, then said, well, then take this to pay for the people behind me.

    “Oh, ma’am,” she said, “he paid for you and three cars behind you!”

    • #4
  5. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    That’s what happens when you make good food, nobody cares about your politics, they care about your delicious crispy chicken sandwich.

    I have super liberal, I love gay marriage friends that when they see a Chick fil-a, HAVE to stop and get a sandwich because there because there wasn’t one in New York,  and, because it’s amazing!!

    It’s like Ben and Jerry’s I don’t care that they are super lefty commie types, their ice cream is yummy, and I will eat it and love it. They had to sell to unilever anyway because commies can’t run an ice cream business apparently, but their ice cream is still great.

    • #5
  6. Rightfromthestart Coolidge
    Rightfromthestart
    @Rightfromthestart

    This all broke the last week of July 2012 IIRC, Romney’s team did nothing to take advantage of it . I would have immediately made a point of buying lunch for all the reporters as a show of support. And then make clear that the issue had nothing to do with gay anything, it had everything to do with the fascist left and a man’s right to hold a private opinion. But no , Mitt’s Band of Bumblers clammed up and headed for cover in the tall grass. As you can see I’m still ticked off over it, I hate political consultants.

    • #6
  7. MJBubba Member
    MJBubba
    @

    Dan Cathy never intended to become a standard-bearer in the culture wars.   His initial remarks were not particularly notable, except that he affirmed traditional Christian morality as a prominent element of company and family emphasis.

    Being standard-bearers in the culture wars clearly makes the Cathys uncomfortable, but it has generated huge amounts of good will for their chain.   What amazes me is how consistent they are.   The cheerful demeanor of their staff and the quality of their product are both refreshing and reliable.

    • #7
  8. Vance Richards Inactive
    Vance Richards
    @VanceRichards

    When tastebuds square off against principles, it is not even close.

    • #8
  9. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    Vance Richards: When tastebuds square off against principles, it is not even close.

    Nor should it be. Jeremy Corbyn’s devotion to principles seems bizarre and fanatical. As Theodore Dalrymple explains,

    He divorced his second wife, according to some reports because of disagreement over the schooling of their son. She, a Chilean refugee, wanted their son to attend a selective school because he would get a better education there. Mr Corbyn is against selective schools as a matter of principle and would not compromise, even in the case of his own son.

    I find that incredibly creepy. You ought not care more about politics than you do about your family or food.

    • #9
  10. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    In April, we missed our plane home from Denver because we were caught in the drive-through line at Chick-Fil-A on the way.  They have opened two stores in our area of Western Washington this year, and they are both always packed.

    • #10
  11. American Abroad Thatcher
    American Abroad
    @AmericanAbroad

    It must be hard work and joyless to make each and every lunch a political statement.

    • #11
  12. Severely Ltd. Inactive
    Severely Ltd.
    @SeverelyLtd

    Henry Castaigne:

    Vance Richards: When tastebuds square off against principles, it is not even close.

    Nor should it be. Jeremy Corbyn’s devotion to principles seems bizarre and fanatical. As Theodore Dalrymple explains,

    He divorced his second wife, according to some reports because of disagreement over the schooling of their son. She, a Chilean refugee, wanted their son to attend a selective school because he would get a better education there. Mr Corbyn is against selective schools as a matter of principle and would not compromise, even in the case of his own son.

    I find that incredibly creepy. You ought not care more about politics than you do about your family or food.

    Perhaps it isn’t only a political principle but an ethical one. If your wife threatens to leave you unless you violate an ethical principle that is important to you, will you cave to stop her? It could be the case that she was the intransigent one.

    • #12
  13. Severely Ltd. Inactive
    Severely Ltd.
    @SeverelyLtd

    RushBabe49: In April, we missed our plane home from Denver because we were caught in the drive-through line at Chick-Fil-A on the way.

    Bet it was worth it.

    • #13
  14. John Berg Member
    John Berg
    @JohnBerg

    Those same lines can be seen in liberal Seattle area.  In Bellevue Washington the lines to eat at the Chick-fil-A happen every day (except Sunday, of course).

    • #14
  15. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    They make a consistently tasty sandwich for $3.50. That’s hard to beat.

    • #15
  16. Songwriter Inactive
    Songwriter
    @user_19450

    In my neck of the woods, running a Chik-Fil-A would appear to be a license to print money. The lunch crowds at the two stores nearest me would make any restauranteur jealous.

    And how many times have I headed to Chik-Fil-A on a Sunday, only to get halfway there and remember- they are closed on Sunday???

    • #16
  17. Pathfinder1208 Inactive
    Pathfinder1208
    @Pathfinder1208

    I often have lunch with a certain co-worker. Because a new Chick-fil-a opened nearby I asked if she wanted to go there for lunch. She said “no, they oppose homosexuality.” I asked, “do you mean the girl who takes your order opposes homosexuality?” She said “no.” I asked, “do you mean the individual franchise owner of this location opposes homosexuality?” She said”well, no.” I asked “do you mean that it is an official position of the corporate board to oppose homosexuality?” She said “of course not.” I asked, ” do you mean that the founder of the company opposes homosexuality?” She said “yes, that is what I mean.” I said that she was wrong and that the founder had merely expressed his disagreement regarding same sex marriages but made no comment regarding homosexuality. She said, “regardless, I am still not going to eat there.” For some, it is impossible for facts to get in the way of an intolerant position.

    • #17
  18. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    I love it when we get to serve liberals a little crow with their chicken sandwiches. Yum!

    • #18
  19. Songwriter Inactive
    Songwriter
    @user_19450

    Pathfinder1208:I often have lunch with a certain co-worker. Because a new Chick-fil-a opened nearby I asked if she wanted to go there for lunch. She said “no, they oppose homosexuality.” I asked, “do you mean the girl who takes your order opposes homosexuality?” She said “no.” I asked, “do you mean the individual franchise owner of this location opposes homosexuality?” She said”well, no.” I asked “do you mean that it is an official position of the corporate board to oppose homosexuality?” She said “of course not.” I asked, ” do you mean that the founder of the company opposes homosexuality?” She said “yes, that is what I mean.” I said that she was wrong and that the founder had merely expressed his disagreement regarding same sex marriages but made no comment regarding homosexuality. She said, “regardless, I am still not going to eat there.” For some, it is impossible for facts to get in the way of an intolerant position.

    Like Thomas Sowell says – you cannot reason a person out of a position they did not reason themselves into.

    • #19
  20. Spin Inactive
    Spin
    @Spin

    The reason this is so amazing is that Chil-fil-A is actually crap.  I don’t know why anyone would choose to eat there.

    • #20
  21. Songwriter Inactive
    Songwriter
    @user_19450

    Spin:The reason this is so amazing is that Chil-fil-A is actually crap. I don’t know why anyone would choose to eat there.

    Agree to disagree.

    • #21
  22. American Abroad Thatcher
    American Abroad
    @AmericanAbroad

    Spin:The reason this is so amazing is that Chil-fil-A is actually crap. I don’t know why anyone would choose to eat there.

    Compared to most fast-food, especially KFC, Chik fil A is the manna of the gods.

    • #22
  23. Jennifer Johnson Lincoln
    Jennifer Johnson
    @jam

    I love their waffle fries.

    • #23
  24. A-Squared Inactive
    A-Squared
    @ASquared

    Pathfinder1208: I asked, ” do you mean that the founder of the company opposes homosexuality?” She said “yes, that is what I mean.” I said that she was wrong and that the founder had merely expressed his disagreement regarding same sex marriages but made no comment regarding homosexuality. She said, “regardless, I am still not going to eat there.” For some, it is impossible for facts to get in the way of an intolerant position.

    As you probably recall , many people who simply supported a traditional definition of marriage were called bigots and anti-gay by fellow ricochetti.

    • #24
  25. donald todd Inactive
    donald todd
    @donaldtodd

    Spin:The reason this is so amazing is that Chil-fil-A is actually crap. I don’t know why anyone would choose to eat there.

    Well perhaps it is because it is better than the other crap?

    • #25
  26. billy Inactive
    billy
    @billy

    Spin:The reason this is so amazing is that Chil-fil-A is actually crap. I don’t know why anyone would choose to eat there.

    This may be sacrilege around here, but I am with you.

    • #26
  27. Eric Mawhinney Inactive
    Eric Mawhinney
    @TypicalAnomaly

    Pathfinder1208:I often have lunch with a certain co-worker. Because a new Chick-fil-a opened nearby I asked if she wanted to go there for lunch. She said “no, they oppose homosexuality.” I asked, “do you mean the girl who takes your order opposes homosexuality?” She said “no.” I asked, “do you mean the individual franchise owner of this location opposes homosexuality?” She said”well, no.” I asked “do you mean that it is an official position of the corporate board to oppose homosexuality?” She said “of course not.” I asked, ” do you mean that the founder of the company opposes homosexuality?” She said “yes, that is what I mean.” I said that she was wrong and that the founder had merely expressed his disagreement regarding same sex marriages but made no comment regarding homosexuality. She said, “regardless, I am still not going to eat there.” For some, it is impossible for facts to get in the way of an intolerant position.

    Well spoken and instructive for us. The opportunities to impact the culture abound…

    And lest I be misunderstood, I mean your opportunity to impact the culture by demonstrating critical thinking.  Apparently, the quality of a chicken sandwich is at least a bit strained today. I remain agnostic on the food, but thrilled the market continues to speak. In spite of certain mayors.

    • #27
  28. N.M. Wiedemer Inactive
    N.M. Wiedemer
    @NMWiedemer

    As it turns out, America is more into fried chicken than gay sex.

    • #28
  29. Penfold Member
    Penfold
    @Penfold

    Spin:The reason this is so amazing is that Chil-fil-A is actually crap. I don’t know why anyone would choose to eat there.

    To paraphrase Patrick Henry (or Voltaire or Evelyn Beatrice Hall or whomever):

    “I Disapprove of What You won’t eat, But I Will Defend to the Death Your Right to not eat It”

    • #29
  30. The Forgotten Man Inactive
    The Forgotten Man
    @TheForgottenMan

    I have been blessed by a Chick-fil-A a couple of miles from home.  I go there for the food and to hear them say “my pleasure” every time I say “thank you”. I think they hold auditions to find people who are excellent at saying that phrase.

    • #30
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