Chick-fil-A's plans on how to fit into city after UK protests

American fast-food chain Chick-fil-A has revealed how it plans to fit into Liverpool’s diverse culture. The chicken sandwich chain recently announced its plans to open a restaurant in the city.

The Atlanta-based firm said it is currently in "the process of selecting operators" for four UK cities - with the aim of opening five restaurants within two years. The UK cities currently in the mix are London, Leeds, Belfast and Liverpool, with chief international officer Anita Costello, stating “serving communities is at the heart of everything” the company does.

The chain already has more than 3,000 outlets across North America, Puerto Rico and Canada, but the UK branches will be the first elsewhere in the world. This isn’t the company’s first time trying to break into the UK, with Chick-fil-A having short-lived branches previously in Reading, Berkshire and the Scottish Highlands.

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The chain found itself embroiled in controversy after it was claimed its founders were supporters of anti-LGBT+ organisations, and boycotts and protests followed. This, however, is a claim the company has since denied, citing the money donated was “never donated with the purpose of supporting a social or political agenda”, but rather to fund sports programmes in deprived areas.

With this in mind, the ECHO asked Chick-fil-A how it planned to fit in with the city’s vibrant and historic queer community. A spokesperson confirmed the company was working to “engage with the local community in Liverpool” to ensure it gets it right.

They added: “We welcome guests from all backgrounds and we aim to have a positive impact on the communities we serve. We're to meet with various community groups so that we can provide an inclusive place for everyone.”

It has been reported the Chick-fil-A Foundation donated almost £1.9 million to a group that opposed marriage equality for homosexual couples and within years, this number allegedly almost doubled. After fulfilling its multi-year deal, the company confirmed to the ECHO it no longer donates to this particular organisation.

In 2012, the billionaire chairman Dan Cathy confirmed his opposition to same-sex marriage. He told the Baptist Press he was “guilty as charged”, when asked about his perceived opposition to equal marriage. He later voiced his regret at involving the company in a social issue but said his views remained the same.

Sahir House, Liverpool’s oldest LGBTQ+ charity and responsible for delivering instrumental HIV education and support, said it “warmly” invites the team to meet with them.

The charity’s spokesperson said: “At Sahir, we are dedicated to supporting our LGBTQ+ community’s health and wellbeing while raising awareness and educating others on the key issues that affect us. We also work to guide individuals and groups through challenging times. News of Chick-fil-A planning to open a restaurant in Liverpool will have an impact on our community.

“So we would warmly invite the management to meet with our team, to better understand the issues facing our community and explore how they can contribute to a more inclusive working culture that fits within our fabulous city.”

The firm was founded by Samuel Truett Cathy in 1946 and has been managed by the family ever since, as reported by the BBC. A policy change in 2020 saw the group appoint its first head of diversity and in light of this, saw its approach to charitable giving change with more focus on education and hunger alleviation taking place.

However, the family's Christian values still take precedence with restaurants remaining closed open on Sundays, so employees can attend church. This policy will also apply in the UK when the time comes.

In announcing its UK investment, the chain pledged a one-off donation of $25,000 to a local non-profit organisation when the chain restaurant successfully opens in the city. It also said it would continue with its donations of surplus food to local shelters, soup kitchens and food charities.

Andi Herring, CEO of LCR Pride Foundation, told the ECHO: “It is understandable that members of our community are alarmed by the views shared by Chick-fil-A in the US and the planned opening of a site in Liverpool.

“More than ever, our community needs to be supported and not feel ostracised, particularly by big chains that wield a lot of influence and power. There are protections under UK law that prevent discriminatory behaviour towards LGBT+ people and we would expect Chick-fil-A to uphold these laws."