JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Noon time at Chick-fil-A can get pretty hectic. But on Wednesday, business was a different beast. Hundreds flocked to the fast food chicken restaurant. Lines spilled out of the doors and wrapped around the corner. Cars were bumper to bumper much like rush hour traffic on I-95.
Customer Bill Moody isn't putting up with the crazy crowd just for the chicken. He likes the chicken, sure. But his reasoning is a religious one. He agrees with President Dan Cathy's bible-based principals. Cathy sparked a social firestorm after he announced his company's opposition to gay marriage.
"Well I'm supportive of the COO because of his stance on Christian values. I am dead set against any marriage being any other way,” said Moody.
"I support the gay community but I also support a persons right to an opinion and being able to express it without being boycotted for that opinion,” said customer Ellen Cooper.
Former presidential candidate, Republican Mike Huckabee called on Christians across the country to take part in Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. An estimated 550 thousand supporters pledged to participate and that’s welcomed business for our local Chick-fil-A owners.
“Kind of feels like a grand opening. I’ve never seen lines out the door like we have right now,” said owner Joel Parker.
Same sex couples plan to turn up to the fast food restaurant and offer public displays of affection on Friday.
The mayors of Chicago and Boston recently announced Chick-fil-A restaurants are not welcome in their cities because of the company's stance on gay marriage.
