ATLANTA: Chick-fil-A set a one-day sales record on Wednesday amid an ongoingcontroversy over a company executive's public stance against same-sex marriage,company officials said Thursday.
The Atlanta-based company confirmed in a statement that the sales record wasbroken Wednesday after it was declared "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day"by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister and Fox Newstalk-show host.
Chick-fil-A vice president Steve Robinson said the company won't release salesfigures for Wednesday. Customers lined up outside restaurants and the Rev.Billy Graham, the 93-year-old evangelist, dined on a Chick-fil-A lunch on therecord-setting day.
"We are very grateful and humbled by the incredible turnout of loyalChick-fil-A customers on August 1 at Chick-fil-A restaurants around thecountry," Robinson in the statement.
Restaurant chain president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press last month that thecompany was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblicaldefinition of a family." Gay rights activists and others answered withcalls for boycotts. They plan a national "Kiss In" at Chick-fil-Arestaurants on Friday to protest the owners' position. They are asking peopleof the same sex to show up at Chick-fil-A locations and kiss one other.
"We understand from news reports that Friday may present yet anotheropportunity for us to serve with genuine hospitality, superior service andgreat food," Robinson said.