The family owned fast food chain Chick-fil-A is responding to criticism to comments made by the president of the company.
The Atlanta-based company is known for its chicken sandwiches and Christian values. Its stores remain closed on Sundays as part of its mission.
In an interview with the Baptist Press that was published on Monday, CEO Dan Cathy defended the company's support of the traditional family.
"Well, guilty as charged," Cathy said. "We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that."
Those comments created a strong response on social media. The company's Facebook page was filled with thousands of comments, both in support and against Cathy's comments.
On Thursday morning the company issued a statement saying that its restaurants "treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender."
The company, with 1,615 restaurants and annual sales of more than $4.1 billion, says it wants to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.
The statement went on to say: "Chick-fil-A is a family-owned and family-led company serving the communities in which it operates. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:35 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:35:57 GMT
When it comes to breaking through to the other side, forget Victoria's Secret. Another company, Australia-based HommeMystere, has already done it with lingerie for men.
When it comes to breaking through to the other side, forget Victoria's Secret. Another company, Australia-based HommeMystere, has already done it with lingerie for men.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:04 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:04:00 GMT
Chairman Ben Bernanke is telling Congress that the U.S. job market remains weak and that it is too soon for the Federal Reserve to end its extraordinary stimulus programs.
Chairman Ben Bernanke is telling Congress that the U.S. job market remains weak and that it is too soon for the Federal Reserve to end its extraordinary stimulus programs.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:25:20 GMT
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:21:42 GMT
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:06 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:06:47 GMT
Looking for some waterfront property in tony Greenwich? A 50-acre compound known as Copper Beach Farm has hit the market with an asking price of $190 million.
Looking for some waterfront property in tony Greenwich? A 50-acre compound known as Copper Beach Farm has hit the market with an asking price of $190 million.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:17 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:17:26 GMT
Seamless North America and GrubHub say they're combining to create an online food ordering service covering more than 20,000 restaurants in 500 cities across the U.S.
Seamless North America and GrubHub say they're combining to create an online food ordering service covering more than 20,000 restaurants in 500 cities across the U.S.
Actavis is buying Warner Chilcott in an all-stock transaction valued at about $8.5 billion which would create the third-biggest specialty pharmaceutical company in the U.S.
Actavis is buying Warner Chilcott in an all-stock transaction valued at about $8.5 billion which would create the third-biggest specialty pharmaceutical company in the U.S.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:29 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:29:45 GMT
A man was fatally shot when a team of FBI agents swarmed an apartment complex near Universal Studios in Orlando. The shooting happened early Wednesday.
A man was fatally shot when a team of FBI agents swarmed an apartment complex near Universal Studios in Orlando. The shooting happened early Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 10:45:29 GMT
Survivors of the tornado in Oklahoma are beginning the deliberate process of assessing what's left of their homes and possessions and what comes next.
Survivors of the tornado in Oklahoma are beginning the deliberate process of assessing what's left of their homes and possessions and what comes next. The twister killed at least 24 people, destroyed countless homes and reduced one elementary school almost entirely to rubble, killing seven children inside.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:05 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:05:14 GMT
Experts say that teens aren't just leaving Facebook for just Twitter; they're leaving Facebook for numerous other social media sites as well because for them Facebook just isn't as cool anymore. The study
Experts say that teens aren't just leaving Facebook for just Twitter; they're leaving Facebook for numerous other social media sites as well because for them Facebook just isn't as cool anymore. The study
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:53:47 GMT
(AP Photo Sue Ogrocki)
Rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives, including those of nine children.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:50 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:50:15 GMT
A massive tornado devastated parts of Oklahoma on Monday. It destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing dozens of people. If you would like to help those in need, you can donate to relief organizations.
A massive tornado devastated parts of Oklahoma on Monday. It destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing dozens of people. If you would like to help those in need, you can donate to relief organizations.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:19:47 GMT
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open public meetings.
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open public meetings.
