Chick-Fil-A Opening

It started out simple. A taste test. Some friends, some chicken, a few fries, and a mission to figure out whether the spot was worth our lunch money. We weren’t expecting it to get philosophical. 

But then the sauce hit the fan. One question kept resurfacing: can you enjoy Chick-fil-A without thinking about the controversy behind it?

The recent opening of a Chick-fil-A on the GW campus brought that question a little closer to home. For a lot of students, it was a win. It’s close, it’s fast, it’s relatively inexpensive, and it’s familiar. However, food and price aren’t the only factors in deciding where to eat. 

Chick-fil-A’s complicated legacy continues to linger over the choice many students make about whether to dine there. In 2012, CEO Dan Cathy publicly opposed same-sex marriage. That alone drew criticism, but soon after, documents revealed that the company’s primary foundation, WinShape, had donated millions to organizations that promoted anti-LGBTQ+ views, including some tied to conversion therapy. The backlash was immediate, with protests, boycotts, and nationwide headlines. Supporters launched a counter-campaign, Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, which sent sales soaring. The company eventually scaled back donations to controversial groups and attempted to redirect attention to more neutral causes, but for many people, the damage was done. 

That legacy still matters to students today, especially LGBTQ+ students, who often find themselves having to choose between convenience and principle. It’s one thing to grab a sandwich; it’s another to feel like your money might be supporting a company with values that don’t align with your own. And for some, that’s not a choice they’re willing to make.

Rory Felton (‘29), a student who’s familiar with both restaurants, said she’s aware of the controversy but still eats there. “I like to distinguish between the owner and the food,” she said. “I don’t support the owner. The food is very good, so I will continue to eat there.”

Felton further explained, “Yes, I’d listen to Kanye West or shop at Brandy Melville, that doesn’t mean I agree with them.” Plus, she noted, Roaming Rooster once forgot to include sauce in her order. “How am I supposed to eat my fries and nuggets without sauce?” she said. 

Emonn Bowie (‘28), a member of the school’s Gay Student Union, brought a different perspective to the conversation, emphasizing that choosing where to eat can carry broader implications. “If you enjoy the food and it fits your budget, you can eat there, but think about the choices you’re making. I wouldn’t personally recommend Chick-fil-A because I don’t want to support that kind of business.”

This started out as a chicken taste test. But by the end of it, we were talking about history, values, and why something as small as where you eat can feel bigger than it should.  Every order carries a little bit of what you care about, whether you intended it to or not.

Next time you’re standing in line, checking the menu, or waiting for your fries, you might find yourself thinking less about what’s in the bag and more about what’s behind it. Because in the end, we weren’t just asking which chicken tasted better. We were asking: What exactly are you biting into?

So the question stands; Do you pick your bite, or do you pick what’s right?