We recently stopped at Chick-fil-A while on a road trip. I know their values can be controversial, but going off of taste and price alone, they’re doing some pretty good work over there. I’m a fan of their chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat bread, with Chick-fil-A sauce, of course.
While we were ordering, I saw a picture of their new frosted coffee on the menu. “Is that tasty?” I asked the cashier. “Oh yes!” She replied. I thanked her and said I would come back after eating my meal to order one.
A few minutes later, another employee brought our food to our table. “Here’s a frosted coffee, on the house,” she said with a smile. What a lovely gesture! It’s encouraging to know that there are still classy, generous people out there, don’t you think?
Shela G
Love chick-fil-a it is one our favorite places always have good food and great service. My husband and I always consider it a treat when we get to eat there.
Anonymous
That is so sweet!
Anonymous
Ugh. Chick-Fil-A.
Anonymous
Corporate policies aside, most of their food is completely gross. Just drink melted fat and eat salt – same thing. Chicken Deluxe Sandwich – 23 grams of fat (or almost 50% fat) and 1,500 grams of sodium. Add fries for another 21 grams of fat and 180 grams of sodium. Grilled chicken sandwiches or nuggets are no better, drenched in sodium. Ugh. Stay home & grill your own fresh chicken breast.
Anonymous
Whats ur favourite Chickfila sauce mine is the buttermilk ranch?
Anonymous
Oh that is so great! The service there is fantastic.
Anonymous
Yeah chick-fil-a is a great place for anyone and everyone!
One time my friend ordered desert from there when we were kids and the cashier saw that I wanted one but I didn't have enough money and the cashier said "here you go! It's what your friend ordered…I hope you like it!" That made my day! I'll always remember that. π
Anonymous
If only they were as generous to others in the community. No, I will not eat there, and glad that I have that choice. But if they continue to give their (really, their customers') money to political causes that aim to take away other people's choices, then everyone is in trouble. "We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness…"
Anonymous
I totally agree with you. I boycott Chick-Fil-A for that exact reason.
Anonymous
Read the King James Version of the Bible.
Anonymous
Read the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and all the other documents that govern this country, no matter what your religion or ethnicity or orientation. All are created equal. Thank goodness.
Anonymous
If you are going to quote the Declaration of Independence, then please do it correctly. It says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." All men are created equal by God and created to have free choice. It doesn't mean that all men are free to do anything they want. When it says that we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we are not free to impede others rights. We cannot kill someone and take away their right to life. As a Bible believer, I have the right to read God's Word and follow it. Homosexuals have the right to make their choices, but I don't have to support that lifestyle (Romans 1). True Christians are not trying to force anyone to change their thinking, but we are also saying don't try to force us to either. Part of being an American is that we have the freedom to make those choices and choose what companies/politics/etc. that we will support or not support.
Anonymous
Does anyone really know for sure what companies do with their profits, what causes they support behind the scenes? If everyone did research, we'd all be surprised at what we as consumers are unknowingly supporting.
Anonymous
I try to do my research but often companies channel money on purpose through other people or organizations, and the money trail gets fuzzy. But other times, it's pretty clear what's going on.
Anonymous
Yeah this is a pretty clear example, we know exactly what they do with their profits, which is why I choose not to support them. I agree other companies can be murky, it can be hard to always know where your money is going, but once I do, I make sure it won't go anywhere that I would not be ok with.
Anonymous
The owners are lucky they can operate their business in a country that gives them the right to speak out against what they don't believe in. Too bad they want to take away rights from other people, though. For that reason, they and some other places won't get my business.
Anonymous
Same here!
Anonymous
I wouldn't work for them. Or if I did, I'd give all the money to a group that fought for rights for everyone. That's what I did with my state income tax refund. Gave it to a good cause that I knew the state would never support itself.
Anonymous
This is so well said. While I don't think businesses should be able to deny service to groups of people, they most definitely should have the right to donate their profits to who they see fit. However, I don't have to agree with them (and I don't), which is why they don't get my money. That's the beautiful thing about America.
Anonymous
Yes, well said!
Callie
The frosted coffee is delicious!! I will have to go and get one now! οΏ½οΏ½
Anonymous
Cracks me up that people against this restaurant are usually typing on a smartphone or tablet (Android and iOS)made in an overseas sweatshop. Where the employee suicide rates are through the roof.
And I'm sure they don't investigate the other businesses they use.
They just jump on CFA because the television and social media tells them too.
While CFA provides Americans with jobs and does not discriminate in their hiring practices.
While many "liberal" companies are sending jobs overseas and do discriminate in their hiring.
But who needs facts.
Anonymous
You've made some pretty hefty allegations there. Do YOU have the facts to back them up?
Anonymous
So the CFA in New York City rents space from the owners of the whole block of storefronts and the apartment building above it. (I know this because I know people in business in those spaces.) Rent is $10,000 a month for CFA (ditto). CFA pays their rent to the holding corporation for those spaces & owners. That corporation in turn donated about $10,000 to a Democrat woman who was running for mayor (campaign contribution records are available online). This woman was a huge advocate for the LGBT community in the city, so much so that she boycotted a famous annual event put on by another group that is not pro-LGBT. So basically, CFA paid a month's rent to support a LGBT supporter, although the owners of CFA themselves would never have supported her directly. I'm not even sure they realize where their rent money could go with that corporation, which contributes frequently. Everything is connected, if you look deep enough.
Anonymous
So because it's difficult to not support all unethical businesses, we should just not try? Here's a good analogy. It's really difficult to limit my impact on the environment. I have a long commute to work. Most things I need/want to buy contain plastic. Most of my electricity comes from burning coal. But I can easily choose to not buy bottled water. Because those other things are more difficult to control, should I just say, "Oh, well" and buy the bottled water anyway? Of course not. Let's face it. Most large companies are unethical in one way or another. It's very difficult to avoid all companies I consider unethical. But if I can easily avoid eating at one restaurant that I don't agree with, I will. And you know what? If you don't consider Chick-Fil-A unethical, that's ok! You're allowed that opinion, and I'm allowed mine (and no, I didn't form that opinion because TV and social media told me to).
Anonymous
Honestly, who cares? It is not our place to judge. We are supposed to love thy neighbor. And I could truly care less what people do with their personal lives. We should all love one another as Jesus intended!
Anonymous
We SHOULD care what people do with their personal lives, especially when it involves working (or donating) to deny rights to others. This country has already declared that certain rights be given to ALL.
Just to clarify, it's $10K rent for the CFA street-level storefront only. They rent 3 stories there, so their total rent is more like $30K. The storefronts they put out of business were 2 jewelry/accessory stores who were "mom & pop" owned and who couldn't afford the rent there after CFA wanted to move in. And the landlord, seeing that he could get more rent from CFA, didn't want to renew their leases anyway. This is happening all over the city, as little businesses are getting squeezed out. So enjoy your chicken sandwiches.
Anonymous
What are you talking about when you mention "employee's suicide rates"? Because it seems very random to me without facts to back it up.
Anonymous
They made a big deal last year of opening their first store in New York City. The line was around the block. I went past it recently and it had a big "C" sanitation grade posted in the front window. And no line.
Anonymous
I've never even SEEN a restaurant in NYC with that rating lol…at least not one that stayed open, I suppose!
Anonymous
It's scary what you can come across in sanitation grades. Sometimes they take those grade papers they have to display in the windows and add other letters to spell out their business name or a message. So they could have added "HICK-FIL-A" after the "C" and you might never have noticed. It has happened!
Anonymous
Glad they aren't in Canada!!!
Anonymous
Speaking of nice things that have happened to us…The other day I was at the laundromat and the owner was there and I asked her if they had drier sheets because I didn't know if the vending machine had any and she said yes. I went to get some quarters and when I came back she was holding a box of drier sheets and she said here don't worry about it. That was super nice of her!
Anonymous
I wish i couldt try CFA but live in MI & don't remember ever seeing one – for sure not around here
Anonymous
There is one in Lansing. Drove by it last weekend.
Anonymous
They recently opened one or two in Michigan. This has been only since this year, I believe.
Ashley
Dear Ellie,
Awww. That was such a nice surprise. Did you really like their frosted coffee? π I love it, and am so glad they are keeping it out for good. (It used to be out for a limited time only, but we asked last time we visited and they said it's for good. ) I figured out how to make frosted coffee at home, almost like Chick fil a's. Just take black coffee, mix in a lot of vanilla ice cream, add some whip cream (we made homeade whip cream and it tasted almost identical), and viola! {{smiles}}
I hope you have a lovely weekend. π
Love in Christ,
Ashley
Anonymous
Definitely can't drink that everyday :)))
Anonymous
Makes your day just that much more joy filled when some one treats you like that!Happens from time to time, but not always!
Anonymous
Why do you apologize for the values another's business wants to be founded upon? Saying you know their values can be controversial BUT their food was good seems like you are trying to placate the people who disagree. People who have values should not have to lie about them to be accepted if their values would be known. That is just being like the world to get the world's approval. It will be a sad day for the Christian people when they are persecuted for their Biblical beliefs. But when it comes to that it comes to that, there is no changing to get out of it, no pleasing all sides. But they all like a hood meal. In the final outcome there will be a wedding feast in heaven that everyone is invited to so everyone should RSVP right now, without accepting their invitations people won't have places waiting for them at that heavenly wedding supper.
Anonymous
Meant to say all like a good meal, not hood meal.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thanks for all the comments, everyone. My goal with this post was not to spark controversy. I only wanted to highlight one employee's action that brightened my day.
I think we can all agree that it's a wonderful blessing to have the freedom to choose what businesses we spend our money at.
I value the readership of each and every one of you. π
Ellie
Anonymous
Very wise.
I actually think it's good that there is discussion, because it encourages all of us to actively think, inform ourselves and not just keep doing things just because we are used to.
Odie Boggs
I love CFA and commend and support them for standing for what's right.
Anonymous
The owners stand up for what THEY think is right. But it makes other people very VERY sad and upset. I can't support a business owner who unabashedly does that to fellow human beings.
Anonymous
What's it going to take for people (including owners of big corporations) to learn to put their individual religious beliefs aside when it comes to basic human rights? Which includes the right to love and be loved. I don't understand how you can fight against that, in the name of your religion. Boil it down, and nothing is more important in this life than having and giving love, no matter how. I thought that was what religions were all about in the first place? Or did I get that wrong…only love for certain people, not others?
Anonymous
I agree. I think we can all agree that we are against terrorism and religious fanatism when it comes to Islam, but isn't this a very similar things? Suppressing people's rights in the name of religious beliefs. Think about it people. Ellie, please, please, publish this comment.
We are experiencing some dark times in the world today and we must all stand together in the defense of basic human rights.
Anonymous
People who don't stand for something, will fall for anything.
Anonymous
This may seem hyper religious for a blog, but I would like to say that the God of the Bible is called Holy, Holy, Holy three times to express inexpressible Holiness, God is very Holy. It was because God so loved the world the he sent his only begotten son, Jesus, into the world to save sinners. That is how God can forgive us our sins. The Bible asks each of us not to neglect such a great salvation, because there is no other way to eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Jesus came into the world not to condemn the world but so through Him the world might be saved. People should not see Christians as condemning them but rather they should see the saviour and respond to their salvation. God wills that this always works and happens, He does not want any to perish but all to be saved through a knowledge of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To as many as received Him He gave the power to become the Sons of God.
Anonymous
I don't mind reading religious things but please add the disclaimer that this is only YOUR religious view, and name the religion you are representing. Acknowledge that others won't have the same view or the need to have the same view. No religion should try to tell others that they are the "only" way to do something. There are many religions in the world and no one religion can claim they have found the "only" or "true" path to anything. Look at all the troubles and wars that kind of thinking has ever started. How about teaching acceptance for all humans on Earth and actually following through with actions, no matter what the other person's beliefs?
Anonymous
@2:14, I agree with you. There is no place in the world for radical thinking, religious or not, that leads to violence or hatred against innocent people. We're all responsible for what happens, starting with our own actions. When you decide you don't accept certain groups of people and make it your mission to strip them of their rights for any reason, the seeds are sown.
Anonymous
I'm not really following what you're saying?
Anonymous
To the "religious" commenter: with all due respect, this is only one version of the Christian faith. You may think it's the right one and I'm not going to open a discussion on that, but it's only an opinion. π
Anonymous
In responding to religious I suggest you remember that God truly is above and we are no doubt here on the earth, so to come along to the description of His light and add to it controversy and confusion is to try to place dark clouds between mankind and His glory when truly He has opened up a way to Him and this is a fair description of the Hope man kind has in their saviour Jesus Christ.
Anonymous
Anonymous at 4:24 PM: that's exactly what I meant! We shouldn't accept any restriction of people's right based only on a single group's restrictive views.
Anonymous
Chick-fil-A is amazing. Especially their values!
Anonymous
I agree!
Anonymous
Wow, why is this all so negative?? All Ellie was doing was trying to share something nice that some employee had done for her at a restaurant. Can't we just let her enjoy the memory of her gift in peace?? Thank you, Ellie, for sharing.
Anonymous
Ellie herself acknowledged the owners' controversial values, so the discussion ensued.
Negativity is not a bad thing, it's just the opposite of what you yourself happen to think. Nothing wrong with hearing differing opinions. Even an atom has both positive and negative charges, but it still works.
Anonymous
I don't think I've seen any negativity towards Ellie. After all she's so correct in how she handles things that even those of us who sometimes disagree feel welcome in this place of discussion. π
We all have different ideas and perspectives and that's good!
Anonymous
The employee did nothing wrong, I agree. In fact, she could teach the company's owner a thing or three about compassion and basic human kindness to one another.
Anonymous
Coffee is the way to my heart too.
Anonymous
I am staying in a cabin on a property in a small town. I went to the store and the cashier gave me pieces of cake.
Then my neighbor met me in the street and gave me a plate of delicious hot food. Wow! They are so nice I am overwhelmed!
Anonymous
I'd like to just sit down and eat a chicken deluxe and fries! π yummy!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Their fries are something else, aren't they? π
Ellie
Anonymous
I recently was at my first chick fil a. It can be a healthier travel option but without the sauces (or fried) the bun is gummy and bland,chicken non seasoned. The fries were a total soggy disappointment reminding me of school cafeteria fries. I was really surprised considering its popularity.
Anonymous
That was sweet of them to surprise you. I enjoy their food as a special treat when traveling on the road.