Lawmakers May Make Chick-fil-A Stay Open on Sundays, Despite Religious Grounds

While the proposal is not specifically aimed at Chick-fil-A, it will nonetheless affect the business’s ability to practice its religious expression.

There are 27 service areas that would be affected on the Thruway, seven of which have Chick-fil-A restaurants.

“While there is nothing objectionable about a fast food restaurant closing on a particular day of the week, service areas dedicated to travelers is an inappropriate location for such a restaurant,” the bill says. “Publicly owned service areas should use their space to maximally benefit the public. Allowing for retail space to go unused one seventh of the week or more is a disservice and unnecessary inconvenience to travelers who rely on these service areas.”

“Closing on Sunday is a practice established by our Founder Truett Cathy that we still hold true to today.” (via Chick-fil-A)

“This is a blatant violation of the company’s constitutional rights, and we’re not going to let that happen without a fight. Lend your voice and tell NY to keep their hands off our Chick-fil-A!”

He suggested if Graham had read the bill, “He would know that the legislation would not affect current Chick-fil-A locations, and certainly has nothing to do with the midtown locations where he has enjoyed his lunch the past couple of days.” (via CBS News)

“The ruffled feathers, however, may be just that, as Chick-fil-A’s Thruway locations are already locked in. Chick-fil-A has signed a 33-year contract with the highway system, and the brand’s Sunday closure was ‘factored into their tenant plan,'” they said. (via CBS News)

This amendment states that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (via National Archives)

This ownership status gives New York a greater degree of control in making rules compared to private companies on private land. Ultimately, any challenges to the bill will have to be settled in court if it becomes law.

Courts have ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution guarantees a US citizen’s right to travel. States have an interest in ensuring they can accommodate travelers to protect this right.

“The right of a citizen to travel upon the public highways and to transport his property thereon, by horse-drawn carriage, wagon, or automobile, is not a mere privilege which may be permitted or prohibited at will, but a common right which he has under his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” The Supreme Court said.

It remains to be seen how Chik-fil-A would respond to the passage of this bill, but some predict they might sue the government, which may land them in the State or Supreme Court.

The viral video captured Kimmy’s disappointment over the reduced size of the heart-shaped biscuit compared to Chick-fil-A’s standard round version.

This modification, however, left Kimmy feeling shortchanged and vocal about her dissatisfaction. In the TikTok video, she highlighted the size difference, audibly expressing, “I feel like a piece of my bread is missing.”

I don’t need this piece of the bread taken out to make a heart-shaped biscuit, Chick-fil-A. Give me the rest of the bread please.”

TikTok user Jasmine commented “girl I’ve always said the same thing!!” This was echoed by user Grimm.3D, who said “I just noticed that this morning. I totally agree.”

Despite the discontent, some found humor in Kimmy’s passionate reaction, highlighting the “conviction” in her voice as a source of amusement.

While the limited-edition item aims to add a festive touch to the menu, the altered size has evidently sparked disappointment among some patrons who have grown accustomed to the traditional round biscuit offered by the popular fast-food chain.