A controversial fast-food chain, Chick-fil-A, is reportedly initiating a collaboration with the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall as it gears up for the launch of five new sites across the UK, commencing early next year. This news follows the company’s tumultuous history in the UK, where it has faced significant backlash from LGBTQ+ communities due to its past support for anti-gay organisations and its CEO Dan T. Cathy’s opposition to same-sex marriage.
Chick-fil-A’s initial attempt to penetrate the UK market in 2019 concluded unfavourably when its Reading outlet closed after just six months, reportedly as a result of protests spearheaded by Reading Pride. In the same year, another location in the Scottish Highlands shut its doors shortly after opening, following a petition that attracted 1,200 signatures calling for its closure.
In a bid to improve its standing, the company appears to be taking a proactive approach this time by seeking guidance from Stonewall to foster a more inclusive workplace environment. A spokesperson for Stonewall stated, “We frequently have conversations with companies and organisations at various stages on their journey to becoming more inclusive workplaces for their employees.” They added, “We have had some recent conversations with Chick-Fil-A about the training and services we could provide to support the company on this journey,” signalling a potential shift in the chain’s corporate culture.
Chick-fil-A has made several attempts to mend its reputation within the LGBTQ+ community. In 2019, Tim Tassopoulos, the company’s president, announced a decision to cease donations to organisations that oppose LGBTQ+ rights. Historically, the company has funded groups that campaigned against marriage equality and supported conversion therapy, a practice widely discredited by health professionals as an attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Paul Trotti, Chick-fil-A’s international vice president, highlighted the importance of the UK market in the company’s global strategy, stating to the Daily Mail, “The UK place in the world market is something that we absolutely can’t ignore as we think about wanting to be a global business.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/09/26/chick-fil-a-lgbtq-row-explained-as-us-fast-food-giant-plans-to-launch-in-uk/ – Corroborates Chick-fil-A’s past support for anti-LGBTQ+ organisations and CEO Dan Cathy’s opposition to same-sex marriage, as well as the company’s history in the UK.
- https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-plans-uk-return-after-past-anti-lgbtq-controversy-2023-9 – Details Chick-fil-A’s initial attempt to enter the UK market in 2019, the closure of its Reading outlet, and the backlash from LGBTQ+ communities.
- https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-plans-uk-return-after-past-anti-lgbtq-controversy-2023-9 – Explains the closure of another location in the Scottish Highlands following a petition and the company’s decision to cease donations to anti-LGBTQ+ organisations in 2019.
- https://ground.news/article/chick-fil-a-in-fresh-attempt-at-uk-launch – Mentions Chick-fil-A’s collaboration with the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall and their efforts to create a more inclusive workplace environment.
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/09/26/chick-fil-a-lgbtq-row-explained-as-us-fast-food-giant-plans-to-launch-in-uk/ – Provides details on Chick-fil-A’s historical funding of groups that opposed marriage equality and supported conversion therapy.
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/09/26/chick-fil-a-lgbtq-row-explained-as-us-fast-food-giant-plans-to-launch-in-uk/ – Highlights the company’s pledge to donate to local not-for-profit organisations and its commitment to positively impacting local communities in the UK.
- https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-plans-uk-return-after-past-anti-lgbtq-controversy-2023-9 – Quotes Joanna Symonds, Chick-fil-A’s head of UK operations, on the company’s intention to partner with local organisations that support and positively impact their communities.
- https://ground.news/article/chick-fil-a-in-fresh-attempt-at-uk-launch – Includes a statement from a Stonewall spokesperson about their conversations with Chick-fil-A regarding training and services to support a more inclusive workplace.
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