Chick-fil-A said it set a one-day sales record Wednesday after thousands of diners poured into the chain's stores from coast to coast .

In what was dubbed "Appreciation Day" by organizer Mike Huckabee, the GOP presidential candidate-turned-Fox News show host, thousands came out to show support for the company after its president, Dan Cathy, made controversial comments about gay marriage that month and in June.

"We are very grateful and humbled by the incredible turnout of loyal Chick-fil-A customers on Aug. 1 at Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country," Steve Robinson, the company's executive vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was not a company promotion; it was initiated by others."

The privately held company declined to provide revenue figures. The company has released annual sales figures in the past, though not profits.

"While we don't release exact sales numbers, it was an unprecedented day" Robinson said.

Stores throughout metro Atlanta and the state were packed with diners, who waited in lines that snaked out doors. Drivethru traffic also outpaced capacity, reaching into streets and stretching for blocks.

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