Eat up, you godless Sodomites!

[Eddie]

Chick-fil-A donates to Winshape, a foundation set up by Chik-fil-A's owners, which in turns donates to a variety of anti-gay organizations.

I thought that a number of these places were franchises, meaning that there are a number of different owners.

I'm sure that the franchisees have to agree to certain obligations - like it appears being closed on Sunday is one.

But in the middle of all of this, I'm curious how many of the franchise owners knew of the parent company CEO's stand on gay marriage, etc., when they were contemplating purchasing a restaurant. How many of them knew that this is where things could be headed for them?

[Jeff Lebowski]

This thread title really needs a comma.

[Moliere]

From what I have read, the mayors are using zoning to justify their positions and I believe the Boston mayor backed down on that front but the Chicago mayor has not. This is the same logic used to keep adult-oriented businesses and all but a tiny handful of bars out of Utah County. Nobody seems to have a problem with it in those cases. But yes, you got me there. I think the mayors are wrong. Yet, I have seen very few people focus on that. Most of the discussion I have seen has been in response to overall criticism of CFA and talk of a boycott. I am surprised how many people think that any kind of criticism or backlash to perceived bigotry is an infringement of free speech. I suppose they are taking their cue from Sarah Palin:

And by the way, this is not just a gay marriage issue. From what I understand, CFA donates heavily to groups that work to reinstate the ban on gays in the military and fight attempts to eliminate anti-gay discrimination in adoption, employment, housing, etc. To me this is basic, fundamental bigotry and discrimination. Not exactly a cause worth rallying around.

I'm glad to see that I agree with you, especially the bolded part. I know some that are making the sound argument that the mayor threats are an infringement on free speech (in spite of that speech being bigoted) but most people are misinterpreting "free speech" as the ability to say anything without repercussions. I'm no lawyer (just ask falawful) but even I can understand how the latter argument is ridiculous.

On a somewhat related note, I went to CFA for lunch today. After eating I took my drink back to my office. I'll admit I felt a bit ashamed walking around in the tunnels with a CFA cup in my hand because I felt like I was giving the perception that I don't support gay rights. That perception was put in place by the people that patronized CFA yesterday and now I have to decide if I keep eating CFA and continue giving off that perception or if I just go somewhere else.

[UtahDan]

I thought that a number of these places were franchises, meaning that there are a number of different owners.

I'm sure that the franchisees have to agree to certain obligations - like it appears being closed on Sunday is one.

But in the middle of all of this, I'm curious how many of the franchise owners knew of the parent company CEO's stand on gay marriage, etc., when they were contemplating purchasing a restaurant. How many of them knew that this is where things could be headed for them?

I have thought about that issue too. I would assume, based on other franchise agreements I have reviewed, that the franchisor is taking a cut of what the franchisee is bringing it, maybe with a minimum of some kind. So what the local franchises sell does directly effect what the franchisor gets. But I have also done some reading about how hard it is to get one of these franchises, that the "interview" process can take as long as a year, that they have a preference for married people, etc. It sounds like it is so in depth that you would have a very good idea of what they were all about. It also sound, contrary to what some have suggested, that given this process the chances of a gay person or couple getting a franchise is negligible.

[Uncle Ted]

I thought that a number of these places were franchises, meaning that there are a number of different owners.

I'm sure that the franchisees have to agree to certain obligations - like it appears being closed on Sunday is one.

But in the middle of all of this, I'm curious how many of the franchise owners knew of the parent company CEO's stand on gay marriage, etc., when they were contemplating purchasing a restaurant. How many of them knew that this is where things could be headed for them?

It seems that Chick-Fil-A has a little bit different franchise model...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A uses a model significantly different from other restaurant franchises, notably in retaining ownership of each restaurant. Chick-fil-A selects the restaurant location, builds it, and pays the rent, while retaining ownership. Whereas franchisees from competing chains need about $2 million to operate a franchise, Chick-fil-A franchisees need only a $5,000 initial investment to become an operator. The company gets 10,000-25,000 applications from potential franchise operators for 60-70 slots they open each year. Chick-fil-A gets a larger share of revenue from its franchises than other chains, but the formula works well for operators — franchisees make an average of $190,000 per year. In 2010 Chick-fil-A took the industry lead in average sales per restaurant, making an average of $2.7 million per restaurant in 2010 (McDonald's was second with $2.4 million per restaurant).[8]

Not bad... only a $5,000 initial investment. I wonder if all of this will reduce the number of operator applications.

[UtahDan]

I'm glad to see that I agree with you, especially the bolded part. I know some that are making the sound argument that the mayor threats are an infringement on free speech (in spite of that speech being bigoted) but most people are misinterpreting "free speech" as the ability to say anything without repercussions. I'm no lawyer (just ask falawful) but even I can understand how the latter argument is ridiculous.

On a somewhat related note, I went to CFA for lunch today. After eating I took my drink back to my office. I'll admit I felt a bit ashamed walking around in the tunnels with a CFA cup in my hand because I felt like I was giving the perception that I don't support gay rights. That perception was put in place by the people that patronized CFA yesterday and now I have to decide if I keep eating CFA and continue giving off that perception or if I just go somewhere else.

Interesting. I can't imagine you are the only one. While CFA might have seen a boost for a day, and gotten some good pub and exposure in that group, and while I have no idea what the net effect is, what you just described is the power of the boycott.

[Uncle Ted]

I have thought about that issue too. I would assume, based on other franchise agreements I have reviewed, that the franchisor is taking a cut of what the franchisee is bringing it, maybe with a minimum of some kind. So what the local franchises sell does directly effect what the franchisor gets. But I have also done some reading about how hard it is to get one of these franchises, that the "interview" process can take as long as a year, that they have a preference for married people, etc. It sounds like it is so in depth that you would have a very good idea of what they were all about. It also sound, contrary to what some have suggested, that given this process the chances of a gay person or couple getting a franchise is negligible.

Being a christian outfit they most likely have a bias against "non-christians" like mormons as well. So I don't have much of a chance as well.

[UtahDan]

Being a christian outfit they most likely have a bias against "non-christians" like mormons as well. So I don't have much of a chance as well.

This is the irony of Mormons ever making common cause with Evangelicals or Baptists.

[Eddie]

It seems that Chick-Fil-A has a little bit different franchise model...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A

Not bad... only a $5,000 initial investment. I wonder if all of this will reduce the number of operator applications.

That is interesting - I have a family member who is in it up to his ears with a franchised restaurant right now and bankruptcy is a real possibility. I'm sure he wishes that he was only in it for $5K. Since I'm lazy - did the wiki say anything about the commitment a franchisee makes? I'm just curious if they could determine after a couple of years that it isn't what they thought, and they can walk away. I would assume that with 10,000 + applications each year, they could simply offer the existing restaurant to a new applicant.

I have thought about that issue too. I would assume, based on other franchise agreements I have reviewed, that the franchisor is taking a cut of what the franchisee is bringing it, maybe with a minimum of some kind. So what the local franchises sell does directly effect what the franchisor gets. But I have also done some reading about how hard it is to get one of these franchises, that the "interview" process can take as long as a year, that they have a preference for married people, etc. It sounds like it is so in depth that you would have a very good idea of what they were all about. It also sound, contrary to what some have suggested, that given this process the chances of a gay person or couple getting a franchise is negligible.

Yeah - I would assume that if they are doing those in-depth types of interviews and targeting married couples, they probably include some level of discussion of what is important to them in a franchisee and why.

And while they may focus on other issues - like I could see them talking about marriage and a stable relationship as something that they've identified in successful franchisees - it seems likely that other discussion points might also come up.

[Commando]

This thread title really needs a comma.

Maybe that was intentional?

[Paperback Writer]

Being a christian outfit they most likely have a bias against "non-christians" like mormons as well. So I don't have much of a chance as well.

Don't know about ownership but Chick-fil-A is not biased against hiring Mormons. At least in the store I'm most familar with. At one time, they had over 5 LDS teenagers on staff (this is a Dallas area location far from Utah). And its a good fit for kids who don't want to work on Sundays (or who have parents that make it difficult).

[Commando]

I have a friend on fb who is super into gay rights. He keeps saying that if this man made known his opinion of the Book of Mormon, far fewer of the LDS would be hitching up to his wagon. I wonder how many of the LDS don't actually give a shit one way or the other what is going on but love that heavenly menu?

[UtahDan]

Maybe that was intentional?

I don't see how it would make sense with a comma.

[TripletDaddy]

I have a friend on fb who is super into gay rights.

[Commando]

While I sympathize with the gay man's plight, I swear it's not me... not that there would be anything wrong with that.