Chick-fil-A, a prominent chicken sandwich chain known for its historic stance against same-sex marriage, has recently promoted long-time employee Erick McReynolds to the position of Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). His promotion comes in the midst of continuing controversies surrounding LGBTQ rights, inciting further scrutiny of corporate practices around DEI. In the wake of these issues, the company faced potential boycott threats; in a poll with 166,000 participants, approximately 47% supported the boycott, while 52.4% opposed it. This controversy is further underscored by Chick-fil-A’s recent closure of its first-ever restaurant in Atlanta after 56 years of operation.
Chick-fil-A, as an equal opportunity employer, states that it prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce. The company asserts its commitment to nondiscriminatory employment practices and creating workspaces free from harassment. It also emphasizes its core value of “better together”, which encapsulates its aim to blend diverse backgrounds and experiences within a culture of belonging. This culture, it claims, enhances the service provided to its customers, communities, and globally. Despite these claims, some Twitter users have expressed their dismay at the company’s current position, expressing their desire for the corporation to align with their Christian values.
Operating nearly 3,000 restaurants across the US and Puerto Rico, Chick-fil-A has made concerted efforts in recent years to balance its political standing to broaden its consumer appeal. A notable instance of this is seen in 2019, when the company ceased its donations to organizations opposing same-sex marriage. While continuing to manage its legacy and aligning with evolving societal values, Chick-fil-A’s appointment of McReynolds as the VP of DEI represents an explicit move towards supporting DEI, and by extension, LGBTQ individuals.
