The firestorm that has resulted from Chick-fil-A President and COO Dan Cathy’s recent comments are overly excessive and another example of the loss of civility in American culture. As Americans, we have to reach a point where varying opinions can be respected and the subsequent debate result in healthy discourse.
With that being said, I would like to offer my opinions about Mr. Cathy, the Chick-fil-A franchise, and the services they provide.
In short, I am a RAVING fan of Chick-fil-A!!! There is literally nothing about this organization or its leadership that I do not have the absolute highest amount of respect for.  Privately owned, the Cathys and Chick-fil-A are truly an American success story.
The following are 13 Reasons I Love Chick-fil-A:
- I visited my first Chick-fil-A restaurant in 1983. In 29 years, I have never been dissatisfied or gotten anything less than exceptional customer service.
- The Chick-fil-A organization has created their own experience that is as unique and distinctive as what you will get at Starbucks. Different than Starbucks but equally distinctive.
- They are closed on Sundays. This creates scarcity which actually increases my desire for their food.
- The restaurant has the type of environment where I and other leaders meet regularly to discuss life’s issues.
- An employee named A.J. who works at the Peachtree Industrial Boulevard location in Suwanee, GA. She walks the room at lunchtime, refills everyone’s drinks, gives us mints, takes care of children so mothers can get their meals together, smiles, says “Hello”, and most importantly, somehow knows all our names.
- I personally attended hundreds of church, business, educational, and non-profit events where Chick-fil-A has provided our meals for free or reduced costs. As a result, Chick-fil-A restaurants, more than member of the business community, are part of the fabric of each community they reside in.
- Chick-fil-A and the Cathys have provided millions of dollars in scholarships for young people so they can attend college and have a hope and a future.
- The Saturday morning breakfast buffet at the Dwarf House in Woodstock, GA is marvelous.  Heaven just may have a Chick-fil-A breakfast bar.
- They care for and love our children.  With its Father-Daughter date nights, toy cows, playgrounds, balloons, and other items, Chick-fil-A creates opportunities for families to have healthy experiences, build solid foundations, and create lifelong memories.
- Incomparable Service.  Chick-fil-A restaurants have the fastest service, friendliest employees who are happy to be there, and I have never been in a store that was not absolutely clean and spotless.
- The marketing team’s ad campaigns with the cows are sheer genius. EAT MOR CHIKIN!
- Many locations play Christian music over their speakers. Eating at Chick-fil-A truly is good for the soul.
- Oh, and did I mention the food? Chick-fil-A serves absolutely the best chicken sandwich you can buy.
In a couple of years, my daughter will be entering the workforce. The highest compliment I can give any business is that I would want her learning, growing, and developing as part of your organization. The place my wife and I are praying she gets a job is at Chick-fil-A.
I would like to thank the Cathy family for their integrity, character, and vision for making lives better by serving our communities great food with a smile. My family will be at one of your stores on August 1st showing our support, if not sooner simply because we are hungry.
As a bonus, located below is a CNN interview with Ken Coleman after Mr. Cathy appeared on his radio program. Ken brings a balanced approach to the debate that gives us a model for how our nation should handle differing opinions.
What are your thoughts of Mr. Cathy’s comments and the Chick-fil-A franchise?
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