A recent legislative proposal in New York might mandate select Chick-fil-A outlets at rest areas along Interstate 90 to open on Sundays, challenging the chain's long-standing tradition of remaining closed on this day.
Chick-fil-A, famous for its tasty chicken and waffle fries, is usually open only from Monday to Saturday, closing on Sundays, unlike most other chains.
But now, a new bill in New York might change this long-standing practice.
Rest Stop Restaurant Act: Operate on Sundays including Chick-fil-A
The state assembly recently proposed a bill called the Rest Stop Restaurant Act. This act would make it a rule for food and drink businesses at rest stops along the New York State Thruway to stay open daily, ensuring travelers have access to meals.
Chick-fil-A operates seven stores along the 570-mile-long highway stretching across New York state.
"While there is nothing objectionable about a fast food restaurant closing on a particular day of the week, service areas dedicated to travelers is an inappropriate location for such a restaurant," the bill said.
The bill added, "Service areas owned by the public should use their space to help the public as much as possible." Leaving retail space empty for at least one-seventh of the week is bad for travelers who depend on these service areas and causes them extra trouble.
Lawmakers aim to ensure that all new deals for food stands at the state's transport hubs, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, have to stay open daily. This rule would not apply to temporary stalls like farmer's markets or local sellers.
The New York State Thruway Authority, aware of Chick-fil-A's Sunday closures, makes sure other eateries are available at rest stops for travelers, says Thruway spokesperson Jennifer Givner.
Givner explains, 'We must have at least one place serving hot food open. So, if Chick-fil-A is shut on Sundays, we offer other choices to our customers.
WRGB Albany reports that there are seven Chick-fil-A locations at different rest stops along the New York State Thruway, and three more are set to be constructed.
Additionally, the bill will make New Jersey follow the same rule for food places at the Port Authority. This law will start once New Jersey passes an ordinance like the one in New York.
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Not Open on Sundays: Long-time Tradition at Chick-fil-A
In 1946 S. Truett Cathy pioneered Chick-fil-A and has maintained a policy of remaining closed on Sundays, allowing employees time for worship or rest. The chain's Sunday closure is not its only religiously influenced practice.
It faced significant backlash for donating to anti-LGBTQ organizations in 2012, a tradition that continued until 2019, when the company ceased such donations.
In 2021, Applegreen, an Irish company with over 600 convenience store stations and a range of companies, including Chick-fil-A, took over the leases for all service areas along the highway.
A New York State Thruway spokesperson told Scripps News Buffalo that Applegreen's 33-year deal requires them to offer both hot and cold food choices every day at each station. They added, 'Chick-fil-A's Sunday closure is part of their brand, which Applegreen included in their planning. Chick-fil-A will be at less than half of the Thruway service areas.
Each area will also have another food option and a convenience store open all week, with up to three more food choices and a store at the busiest, most prominent spots.
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