1

Ryan Wilson
Professor Westerling
Lead 101
March 30, 2016
Chick-fil-a Case Study
Chick-fil-a is a fast food restaurant established in 1967 thats known for their
classic chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and southern charm. They originate in the
south but have recently been expanding to more northern locations and major cities
up North. Chick-fil-a has recently opened their 2000 th location and intend to expand
more. Additionally Chick-fil-A Foundation Donates More Than $1 Million to Youth
Organizations Selected for 2016 True Inspiration Awards this foundation donates to
22 organizations nominated at the aims of, fostering leadership and
entrepreneurial spirit in children.. With Chick-fil-as big push to open more locations
in the North they have been expanding their menu with items such as a spicy
southwest salad or a frosted coffee.

Recently the organizations leader Dan T. Cathy (Chairman, President, and CEO) has
been making his personal views public and adding them to Chick-fil-a. He has been
quoted by the New York Times saying he believes in, the biblical definition of the
family unit. He goes on to state that same sex marriage invites, Gods judgement
on our nation. Many people were offended by this statement one important person
being Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston. Mayor Menino wrote a letter to Mr. Cathy
urging him to keep his business out of Boston. The beginning of his letter reads, In
recent days, you said Chick-fil-A opposes same-sex marriage and said the
generation that supports it has an "arrogant attitude. Now -- incredibly -- your

2
company says you are backing out of the same-sex marriage debate. I urge you to
back out of your plans to locate in Boston.

Primary Stake Holders

Chick-fil-a- want to build in Boston yet oppose gay marriage

Mayor Menino- Supports gay marriage and doesnt want discriminatory

company in his city

Mr. Cathy- Wants to expand his company and increase products while

introducing a product to a population untouched by his company

Same sex marriage couples and supporters- Do not want discriminatory
companies in a city they feel allow freedom to be gay.

Relevant Facts

Chick-fil-a is attempting to open a location in Boston

The owner doesnt approve of same sex marriage
Boston was the first city to recognize same sex marriage
The Mayor asked that the Chick-fil-a not be built in Boston
Jim Henson Company no longer makes toys for Chick-fil-a

Implied Facts

Boston as a city doesnt want a company that oppose the freedom of same

sex marriage which the city was the first to recognize in the country.
The mayor only suggests that Chick-fil-a not be built in Boston he legally cant

ban them
Mr. Cathy feels this way because of his southern roots and sees it as normal

3
Recommendation
I recommend the following, I recommend that the ACLU (American Civil Liberties
Union) carefully look at the negative effects that this company will have and
reconsider their support of this persecuting, judgmental, poisonous company. Chickfil-a is the opposite of everything Boston stands for with its freedom to be and do
whatever you would like. Boston was the first major city to accept same sex
marriage so why should we let this corporation come into our pure city and poison it
with their medieval beliefs, its 2016. If you will not change your mind at least show
the various people of Boston and this country some respect by changing the
location of the Chick-fil-a in Boston away from City Hall Plaza where some of the first
same sex marriages were recognized in our country. The mission statement of
Chick-fil-a explicitly states As part of our mission to have a positive influence on all
who come in contact with Chick-fil-A all who come in contact includes people who
marry others of the same sex. Mr. Cathy is clearly unprofessional and shouldve
never voices his opinions. The personal views of a CEO, although irrelevant, should
be kept private to avoid controversy. No matter what the CEO believes there will
always be opposition to their belief which could potentially cost the company
business so CEOs opinions should ALWAYS be kept private. In terms of having
customers with different beliefs you should find some mutual ground between views
so even though customers may have different beliefs they can still come into your
business and spend money. The easiest way for this to happen is for a CEO to keep
his/her beliefs to themselves.
Works cited
http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Company/Highlights-Fact-Sheets

4
New York Times Article Handed out in class