Two days after a Chicago alderman said he had struck a deal with Chick-fil-A to put in writing a pledge to be more inclusive, the company released the discussed document.
In “Chick-fil-A: Who We Are,” the company says in part that its employees have a variety of opinions and that “If someone in Chick-fil-A offers a personal viewpoint, they do not presume to speak for the everyone.”
The Atlanta-based chicken chain became embroiled in controversy this summer after its president and chief operating officer, Dan Cathy, made comments in news interviews that sided with traditional marriage proponents.
That touched off a firestorm among gay marriage supporters and leaders in several cities, including Chicago and Boston. They accused the company of supporting discrimination and promised to make it difficult for the chain to open stores outside of its core southern region.
Also at issue has been allegations that the company has given to anti-gay marriage groups through its franchises and its WinShape Foundation.
In releasing the “Who We Are” document, the company said, “For many months now, Chick-fil-A’s corporate giving has been mischaracterized. And while our sincere intent has been to remain out of this political and social debate, events from Chicaco this week have once again resulted in questions around our giving. For that reason, we want to provide some context and clarity around who we are, what we believe and our priorities in relation to corporate giving.”
Here is the text of the company’s “Who We Are” document:
Chick-fil-A is a family-owned and family-led company dedicated to serving the communities in which we operate. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business. For example, we believe that we are stronger because of such principles as closing on Sundays, going the extra mile in service, treating others as we want to be treated, and devoting a percentage of profits back to our communities. Those same principles have been applied throughout the history of Chick-fil-A and still apply today.
The Chick-fil-A culture and 66-year service tradition in our locally owned and operated restaurants is to treat every person with honor, diginity and respect — regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We are a restaurant company focused on food, service and hospitality; our intent is not to engage in political or social debates.
There are many diverse viewpoints and opinions among those associated with Chick-fil-A, including our independent Owner/Operators and their team members, Chick-fil-A corporate staff, suppliers and business partners. Chick-fil-A and the Cathy family, who own the company, value and respect all of these differences. If someone in Chick-fil-A offers a personal viewpoint, they do not presume to speak for everyone.
Chick-fil-A is built and sustained by long-term, enduring relationships, with our Operators, our staff, our business partners, our suppliers, community organizations we support, and — most importantly — our customers.
In Chick-fil-A, we have a foundational commitment to service — service to our customers, service to our Owner/Operators and their team members, and service to our communities. This begins in the restaurant — one customer at a time. We firmly believe in treating every person who comes through our doors with honor, dignity, and respect. We teach it to everyone who comes to work for Chick-fil-A, and it’s something that they take with them throughout their careers — whether they choose to stay with Chick-fil-A or go on to other promising careers. We also make a commitment to taking care of the people who take care of our communities. For example, by giving sandwhiches to first responders in times of crisis, we honor the commitment they make to serve all of us. And our philanthropic giving reinforces that commitment to service by helping children and families in need. This is what makes us who we are.
The Chick-fil-A Corporate Purpose is: “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A.”
