A new bill could mean New Yorkers and those driving through the state will be able to eat at Chick-fil-A on Sundays for the very first time.
According to the New York State Assembly, under Bill A08336, contracts entered into by the New York State Thruway Authority with food providers at transportation facilities and rest areas would require the food services to remain open seven days a week.
Aside from being famous for having yummy fried chicken and waffle fries, Chick-fil-A has been known for only being open from Mondays to Saturdays since the first restaurant opened in Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946.
“Our founder, Truett Cathy, made the decision to close on Sundays in 1946 when he opened his first restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia”, as stated on the company website. “Having worked seven days a week in restaurants open 24 hours, Truett saw the importance of closing on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest, enjoy time with their families and loved ones, or worship if they choose…”
Will Chick-fil-A actually open on Sundays?
In an update reported by USA Today, The New York State Thruway Authority has accounted for Chick-fil-A closures on Sunday by offering other restaurants in the rest stops to provide additional options for travelers according to Thruway spokesperson Jennifer Givner.
“Our requirement is that we have at least one hot food option available,” said Givner. “If Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, we have other alternatives for our customers.”
Currently, seven Chick-fil-A locations are in operation on the Thruway, with three more scheduled to be built. So far, patrons in Chittenango have told CNY Central they don’t have a problem with the restaurant closing on Sundays as they’ve always been.
“I think they’re taking away their right of choice,” said Daniel Locke, a truck driver for MXC. “This is a country of free enterprise. Just because they’re closed on Sundays, I don’t think they should ban them.”
Another customer at the service area added that if Chick-fil-As were banned from service areas, she believes it would violate their constitutional rights.
“We have freedom of speech in religion,” said Adrien Lamora. “Just because they choose not to be open on Sundays, they are very open about that, and I think everyone needs to respect that.”