Chick-fil-A, founded in Georgia in 1967 by a conservative Christian, has long been a staple in American fast-food culture.
With a business model deeply rooted in its religious beliefs, the chain keeps its restaurants closed on Sundays, demonstrating a commitment to its principles, even at the cost of potential revenue.
Notably, there have been instances when Chick-fil-A locations opened on Sundays in times of community crisis. For instance, in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, two outlets opened their doors to feed first responders and volunteers.
The company’s commitment to community service and adherence to its religious beliefs made it a favorite among conservatives.
However, recent controversy was sparked when a Twitter user shared outdated information about the company, misleadingly presenting it as recent news.
Chick-fil-A’s DEI Efforts, VP Appointment Contradict Mannarino’s Claims
Political strategist Joey Mannarino stirred controversy with his recent tweets, alleging Chick-fil-A’s recent hire of a vice president to oversee its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives was “very bad.”
The announcement made ripples online Tuesday morning, with “Chick-fil-A” trending shortly after political strategist Joey Mannarino tweeted it out, writing, “This is bad. Very bad. I don’t want to have to boycott. Are we going to have to boycott?”https://t.co/t5GPNDuQ4s
— James Weed (@JimBobW49) May 31, 2023
Mannarino suggested this move would cause the corporate structure to “become way less white, way less male, and way less straight,” reducing the company’s value and compromising the quality of its food.
These statements resulted in calls on Twitter for a boycott of the restaurant chain.
Fact-checkers, however, were quick to challenge Mannarino’s narrative. Contrary to his claims, the DEI page on Chick-fil-A’s website has existed since 2020.
The DEI VP, Erick McReynolds, a black man, has been in his position since 2021. He was the executive director of DEI from July 2020 to November 2021.
Company’s Corporate Purpose Remains Unchanged Amidst DEI Controversy
Chick-fil-A, refraining from commenting on the recent controversy, maintains its commitment to a harassment-free workplace, as detailed on its DEI webpage.
The organization reinforces its corporate purpose, which is “To glorify God by conscientiously managing all that is entrusted to [them] and to have a positive influence on all those who come into contact with Chick-fil-A.”
Italian American political commentator Joey Mannarino—who says his pronouns are Shut/Up—was at the forefront of whipping up right-wing outrage against Chick-fil-A: https://t.co/JgYSAhvjFG
— The New Republic (@newrepublic) June 1, 2023
Despite the controversy, Mannarino’s informal Twitter poll found more than half of respondents do not plan to boycott the company.
This article appeared in Right Wing Insider and has been published here with permission.
