Chick-fil-A, the well-known chicken sandwich chain that has garnered support from conservatives due to its stance against same-sex marriage, has sparked controversy with the appointment of a new executive overseeing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), leading to calls for a boycott.
Following the company’s announcement of Erick McReynolds’ promotion to vice president of DEI, conservative voices took to Twitter to express their outrage, claiming that Chick-fil-A had succumbed to the trend of being “woke.”
McReynolds has been with Chick-fil-A since 2007 when he joined the company.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he assumed the position of vice president of DEI in November 2021.
Recent LGBTQ-related controversies involving other well-known companies such as Bud Light, Target, and Kohl’s have redirected attention toward different corporations.
Conservatives argue that DEI’s objective of increasing diversity in terms of race and gender within corporate America is inherently discriminatory.
Republican strategist Joey Mannarino expressed concern about the situation, stating, “Things have taken an unfortunate turn. It’s unacceptable. Hopefully, we can avoid a boycott. Will we need to organize one?”
Mannarino conducted an unscientific survey on Twitter, asking his 166,000 followers if they believed a boycott was warranted.
By late Tuesday afternoon, slightly over 47% of respondents voted in favor of a boycott, while the majority (52.4%) opposed it.
Mannarino directed readers to Chick-fil-A’s website, specifically the section titled “Committed to Being Better Together.”
The company affirms its commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply.
“We do not engage in discriminatory hiring practices and are dedicated to maintaining harassment-free workplaces.”
Chick-fil-A, Inc. also emphasizes the value of unity, stating, “We firmly believe that we are stronger when we work together.”
By embracing our differences and fostering a shared culture, we can enhance the quality of care provided to customers, the communities we serve, and the world at large.
As stated on the corporate website, McReynolds is “dedicated to ensuring mutual respect, understanding, and dignity in all our business endeavors.”
“These principles not only reflect good business practices but are also essential to fulfilling our corporate mission,” commented the new VP of DEI.
Numerous Twitter users voiced their discontent.
One user expressed hope that Chick-fil-A would remain steadfast in upholding their Christian values.
Another user declared, “I will no longer patronize Chick-Fil-A starting today.”
In an attempt to expand its customer base beyond its core supporters, Chick-fil-A has gradually shifted away from political affiliations in recent years. The fast-food chain currently operates around 3,000 locations across the lower 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Since 2019, the company has ceased donations to organizations that oppose same-sex marriage.