Chick-Fil-A has long differentiated itself from other take-out and Fast Food chains by its (almost) unbending ‘Closed Sundays’ policy. The company is a family operation, and that family practices a strict, fundamentalist brand of Christianity…
One of the two Chick-Fil-A stands at Atlanta’s Mercesdes-Benz Stadium.
Closed on Sundays, regardless of the opportunity to make a killing…
So… That has brought them into conflict with the management at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, because Chick-Fil-A is refusing to open its concession on the food court for Super Bowl LIII, one week from today.
Family values…
Chick-Fil-A founder Truett Cathy established the Closed-On-Sundays policy back in 1946, based on his belief that employees should have a day off for rest and worship. And the company has stood firm on that principle ever since – except in a few very special situations.
Following the 2015 hurricane that devastated much of southern and western Texas, Chick-Fil-A stores opened on Sunday to feed first responders and rescue workers. In 2016, following the mass shooting in Orlando, Chick-Fil-A employees made sandwiches for first responders and people who donated blood to help the victims.
Missing, but not missing out?
The hometown Atlanta Falcons NFL franchise played seven of its eight home games this past season at the stadium on Sundays. Did Chick-Fil-A loose out big time on a sales bonanza? No, company spokesman John Mattioli told the Atlanta Journal and Constitution (AJC): “We’re excited to have the chance to serve customers at a number of other events taking place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium throughout the year, including non-Sunday Falcons games, concerts, and the many other marquee events this best-in-class venue will host.”
What will Super Bowl LIII fans have to eat?
The M-B Stadium hosts nearly 30 different food vendors, some with multiple stands. No shortage of edibles, even on Sundays. So, Super Bowl fans who spent up to (US)$3,000 for their tickets shouldn’t feel too deprived.
My take…
First, I would never spend anywhere near $3,000 for a ticket to a sporting event of any kind. That aside, I see no problem with Chick-Fil-A closing on Sundays if they want to. And I’m sure they have that right written into their contract with the Stadium. Such agreements usually give the venue all the rights and the tenants all the responsibilities. But I’m betting that the M-B Stadium brass decided it was more important to have Atlanta’s own Chick-Fil-A there for at least some events, than not to have them at all.
I don’t think the absence of Chick-Fil-A from the Super Bowl LIII menu will really affect game goers all that much. And I applaud Chick-Fil-A for sticking to its values, rather bowing to the false gods of gain. I’m sure the Truetts would quote The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 6:24): “Thou canst not serve both God and Mammon.”
~ Maggie J.