Chick-fil-A is a major fast-food restaurant well-known for its food and Christian beliefs, but recently, the popular chain has announced updated adjustments to the restaurant’s policy of inclusion.
The company recently revised its policies to say the restaurant is gearing toward being more culturally inclusive. Famous for its strong Christian background, the chain wants Chick-fil-A to be a restaurant that people of different religious beliefs and cultures can enjoy, not only Christians.
“We are not a political organization. We are not a social change organization. We are a restaurant,” said David Farmer, Chick-fil-A’s vice president of menu strategy and development, in an interview with Business Insider.
Although Chick-fil-A has done well in sales, with each restaurant averaging about $3.1 million sales in 2015, the company has begun tearing down walls at its Atlanta headquarters in order to form a more collaborative workspace and create a modern environment.
In an effort to help the brand’s public image, Chick-fil-A has been staying away from letting their company’s private beliefs mix with its public role as a restaurant.
Some have expressed concern that the revamping of the Chick-fil-A brand will impair the Christian foundation upon which it was built.
“Chick-fil-A should stick to their values just like all of the other places stick to whatever they believe in; they shouldn’t feel compelled to change,” said Amber Lewis, junior communication disorders major. “There’s nothing wrong with having a restaurant geared toward Christians because they share similar values and want to support Christian businesses.”
Although the company is attempting to expand to a wider audience, their faith and community will always be important to them, even during a heated election cycle featuring some candidates who align their religious beliefs with the Christian faith.
Farmer said Chick-fil-A still separates itself from mixing core brand values with public affairs that could reflect negatively upon them.
The company continues to encourage non-Christians, whether employees or customers, to be involved in church activities promoting charitable work, regardless of religious beliefs or values.
The company said their slogan, “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A,” still remains true.
“It’s important for Chick-fil-A to reach outside of its comfort zone,” said Jasmine Hughes, senior behavioral science major. “Everyone, including non-believers, should be able to enjoy Chick-fil-A and understand the importance of its overall message regardless of religious background.”
With all the new changes occurring at the company, Chick-fil-A will hold true to its values, regardless of its revisions. Chick-fil-A wants Christians to understand they will remain a Christian company despite major changes to the restaurant.
