Bringing Chick-fil-A To NY Thruway Rest Stops Sparks Controversy

NEW YORK — The recent announcement that the New York State Thruway would be modernizing its service areas and bringing new eating choices has led some state legislators to praise the project and some to raise objections.

The issue is whether Chick-fil-A, the fried chicken fast-food restaurant, should be one of vendors brought in by Applegreen, the Irish company that operates gas stations and convenience stores in the United States and the United Kingdom. The company is taking over the lease on the Thruway's rest stops.

Along with Chick-fil-A, new food providers named by Applegreen are Shake Shack, Panera, Popeyes, Burger King, Panda Express, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Applegreen Convenience Stores and Taste NY.

The Thruway announced the project Wednesday. Ten of the Thruway's service areas will be closing down July 29 to begin the first phase of the project. The modernization of 27 service areas along the Thruway will cost $450 million.

Assemblyman Harry B. Bronson, D-Rochester, wrote in a letter to the Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew Driscoll, co-signed by Democratic Assemblymembers Deborah Glick and Daniel O'Donnell, both of Manhattan, that Chick-fil-A and its founders "have a long and controversial history of opposing the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and families."

Bronson called out the chain's CEO Dan T. Cathy for making public comments opposing same-sex marriage and, through a charitable foundation, donating millions of dollars to organizations hostile to gay rights.

"This move by the Thruway Authority, strikes us, as sending a message to LGBTQ+ individuals and families that it doesn't share the same commitment to their civil rights as New York State," he wrote.

"We are requesting that you re-examine the list of approved concessions for these rest spots considering Chick-fil-A's action against the LGBTQ+ community," Bronson wrote.

The assemblyman said his office has created a petition people can use to add their signatures to his letter to Driscoll.

Assemblyman Colin Schmitt, R-New Windsor, along with 13 other Republican members of the Assembly, praised the selection of Chick-fil-A as one of the dining options.

He said the chain is extremely popular, known for great customer service and well-regarded for its treatment of employees. The chain guarantees Sundays off for all employees and operators.

"While some of our colleagues in the State Legislature have attempted to recast your decision in an ideological context to advance their own political agendas," Schmitt wrote Tuesday in a letter to Driscoll, "rest assured that the decision to add Chick-fil-A has broad public support and has generated excitement among both our constituents and Thruway travelers."

In response to the Democratic pushback, Chick-fil-A said Sunday in a statement that the company doesn't have a political or social agenda, Newsweek reported.

The Thruway Authority issued a statement to News10NBC Monday that said every restaurant that would be partnering with the agency would be contractually and legally required to adhere to inclusive and non-discriminatory standards.