Chick-Fill-A writes a memo

Moreno said the statement will be included in a memo called "Chick-fil-A: Who We Are" to be distributed to all corporate employees and restaurant operators. The alderman said the memo will state the company's commitment to "treat every person with honor, dignity and respect — regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender." It also would state that it is the company's "intent ... not to engage in political or social debates."

Company officials did not respond to repeated requests to confirm Moreno's assertions about the document or the foundation's donation policies. Instead, company spokesman Jerry Johnston emailed the Tribune a copy of the statement it first posted on Facebook with very similar language to what Moreno said will be in the "Who We Are" document.

Moreno said he achieved his goal of getting Chick-fil-A to "affirm that they do not have discriminatory policies."

Story here

So did the company back down? Is this just a little PR damage control? More importantly can I start eating there again?

It is member walled off, got a synopsis?

I just read that as "We don't like you or approve of your lifestyle but we'll still hire you, serve you and overall treat you like a human being." Sounds like the kind of attitude a lot of people I know have so might as well make it a corporate philosophy, right?

Almost definitely PR damage control. My guess is that they got a big spike in sales from Conservatives for a week or so, followed by an epic dropoff as Conservatives moved on to the next thing to be excited about, and the hordes of people turned off by their attitudes and donation continued to not shop there.

Meh. I don't really miss eating there, and it's obviously merely lip service damage control.

When their support of anti gay marriage groups came to light, I wrote off Chick-Fill-A as a place to get food. However, I was still impressed that there was no effort to hide their stance or where the money went. Now that their honesty appears to have led to some internal discussions about what sort of company they want to be and a change in direction, I've also begun to debate internally. My opinion on this hasn't been fully formed yet. That's probably because I want to see how their policies translate into action.

O man --- Chick Fil-A --- and our local politics.... look up Santa Barbara Chick Fil-A....

It all happened one story lower than I am now.

Total PR move, I would guess after seeing their sales for the past month. I'm still not eating there. Besides fast food is bad for you and since that was really the only fast food I ever ate, hooray for healthier me.

LouZiffer wrote:

When their support of anti gay marriage groups came to light, I wrote off Chick-Fill-A as a place to get food. However, I was still impressed that there was no effort to hide their stance or where the money went. Now that their honesty appears to have led to some internal discussions about what sort of company they want to be and a change in direction, I've also begun to debate internally. My opinion on this hasn't been fully formed yet. That's probably because I want to see how their policies translate into action.

A dollar per dollar donation to pro-gay rights organizations is about the only thing that could get me to step foot in there. Tasty chicken is not enough to get me to go there otherwise, I'll just go get Chipotle next door.

Kehama wrote:

I just read that as "We don't like you or approve of your lifestyle but we'll still hire you, serve you and overall treat you like a human being." Sounds like the kind of attitude a lot of people I know have so might as well make it a corporate philosophy, right?

I'm okay with this, though. There's so many things people do that others aren't comfortable with that "treating them like human beings" is probably the goal to which we should strive.

Edit: yes I am ignoring the donation-to-hate-groups angle, which is, as always, the most unsavory part of this discussion..

Kehama wrote:

I just read that as "We don't like you or approve of your lifestyle but we'll still hire you, serve you and overall treat you like a human being." Sounds like the kind of attitude a lot of people I know have so might as well make it a corporate philosophy, right?

I'm waiting to see if they stick by this, or if they're just using this to get their foot in the door in Chicago. Call me cynical, but I'm not about to set foot in there.

I certainly hope this means Huckabee and his ilk will boycott them now, but I'm not holding my breath.

Seth wrote:
Kehama wrote:

I just read that as "We don't like you or approve of your lifestyle but we'll still hire you, serve you and overall treat you like a human being." Sounds like the kind of attitude a lot of people I know have so might as well make it a corporate philosophy, right?

I'm okay with this, though. There's so many things people do that others aren't comfortable with that "treating them like human beings" is probably the goal to which we should strive.

The issue wasn't that the company was discriminating against homosexual employees or customers though, it was that the company putting its profits towards denying fundamental rights to homosexual partners. And that doesn't seem to have changed.

farley3k wrote:

Quote:

Company officials did not respond to repeated requests to confirm Moreno's assertions about the document or the foundation's donation policies.

Until they change their donation policies, they haven't changed sh*t.

farley3k wrote:

So did the company back down? Is this just a little PR damage control?

It's too late to be considered PR damage control. That ship sailed weeks ago.

I would imagine this has much more to do with hundreds of Chick-fil-A franchise owners making phone calls and sending emails to corporate saying "Why the f*ck are you screwing around with my business by dragging it into this mess? Just shut your damned pie hole so we can all make some money selling chicken."

bnpederson wrote:
Seth wrote:
Kehama wrote:

I just read that as "We don't like you or approve of your lifestyle but we'll still hire you, serve you and overall treat you like a human being." Sounds like the kind of attitude a lot of people I know have so might as well make it a corporate philosophy, right?

I'm okay with this, though. There's so many things people do that others aren't comfortable with that "treating them like human beings" is probably the goal to which we should strive.

The issue wasn't that the company was discriminating against homosexual employees or customers though, it was that the company putting its profits towards denying fundamental rights to homosexual partners. And that doesn't seem to have changed.

I thought my edit clarified that. . .

Was the company somehow donating directly, or was it doing so through it's philanthropic foundation? Seems to me that's important to know.

Edit: NVM. Talking out my butt.

Tanglebones wrote:

Edit: NVM. Talking out my butt.

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/EToCu.jpg)

I wonder how a mass, rainbow-flag-and-glitter eat-in would go at CFA. Loads of LGBT getting together and eating there, carrying signs saying 'Thank you for finally supporting us!'.

Would that turn off the conservatives but ensure mainstream business?

Robear wrote:

Was the company somehow donating directly, or was it doing so through it's philanthropic foundation? Seems to me that's important to know.

It was donating money through its charitable arm, the WinShape Foundation that was formed by Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy in 1984.

WinShape then donated money to Exodus International and to Family Research Council (FRC). The FRC is particularly troubling because they are on record as supporting federal laws that would not only outlaw gay marriage, but would forcibly divorce married gay couples and would extinguish parental rights of gays and lesbians even if the children are the natural-born offspring of a gay or lesbian person.

Da hell'd I double-post? Oh well.

Would a mall let me protest the Chik-fil-a inside of it?

Apparently CFA is getting around the no donations policy by just hosting fundraisers for the same problematic groups:
http://www.advocate.com/business/201...

Tanglebones wrote:

Apparently CFA is getting around the no donations policy by just hosting fundraisers for the same problematic groups:
http://www.advocate.com/business/201...

*facepalm* ...I mean... really? C'mon man, at least ACT like you learned a lesson or something!

I don't see how this is any different than what they were doing before.

Nomad wrote:

I don't see how this is any different than what they were doing before.

That's because the difference is very miniscule. It's the difference between directly donating and throwing a party to get people to donate. Either way you're still supporting the organization. But now they can say to Chicago we are not donating money to this organization, while they continue to help funnel money into it from other sources instead.

Lying is okay, if it's for Jesus!

Malor wrote:

Lying is okay, if it's for Jesus!

I'm sure Republican Jesus is ok with it.

Demosthenes wrote:
Malor wrote:

Lying is okay, if it's for Jesus!

I'm sure Republican Jesus is ok with it. :)

IMAGE(http://www.thepaincomics.com/Jesus%20vs.%20Jeezus.jpg)

Looks like the franchisees are going to pull even more of their hair out. I like the food there. The management in the last decade or so has been *really* good at the local franchises; I see the shift crews working very happily and the managers discussing personal and career issues with them as needed (can't help it, they use the dining room when it's slow.) And I've *never* seen them give any indication of bias, racial or otherwise.

But hey, free speech. I'd prefer they didn't lie to me about how they are exercising it, but they are entitled to use it, and I'm entitled to take my money elsewhere.