A bill has been introduced in the state of New York that would require Christian-owned restaurant chain, Chick-fil-A, to open on Sundays or face potential removal from a major highway system in the state. Assemblyman Tony Simone is the sponsor of the bill and has publicly voiced his concern about the restaurant chain’s “terrible record on LGBT rights.”
Simone’s proposed bill, known as Bill A08336, would mandate that the New York State Thruway Authority only continue or enter into contracts with businesses that remain open all seven days of the week. Simone has stated that his goal is to ensure that New Yorkers and travelers have options for eating and drinking each day of the week.
Chick-fil-A’s closure on Sundays has raised concerns for travelers who rely on the restaurant chain for quick service and hot meals. Jennifer Givner, a spokesperson for the New York State Thruway Authority, has clarified that there is already a standard in place that requires at least one hot food option to be available at rest stops every day of the week. If Chick-fil-A is closed, there are other restaurants available.
However, Simone argues that these alternatives are not enough. “To serve New Yorkers and travelers, things should be open seven days a week, including Chick-fil-A, and if they can’t, they shouldn’t be in our rest stops,” he said. Simone’s main concern is that travelers have enough options to choose from, especially considering the long hours spent on the road.
Chick-fil-A has faced controversy in the past for their stance on LGBT rights. In 2019, the company was banned from opening in the San Antonio International Airport due to their alleged anti-LGBTQ stance. This sparked a nationwide debate on the role of businesses in political and social issues.
It is important to note that Chick-fil-A’s closure on Sundays has been a longstanding company policy, rooted in the beliefs of the chain’s founder, Truett Cathy. However, Simone’s proposed bill raises questions on whether a company’s beliefs should impact their ability to do business or secure contracts with government entities.