Chick-fil-A's CEO evaded a question on the company's LGBTQ+ stance in a rare televised interview years after the chain first stirred controversy over its position on same-sex marriage.
Andrew Cathy, who has been the chain's CEO since 2021, dodged addressing the issue in an Oct. 14 interview on "Today."
When asked by anchor Craig Melvin what he would say to those who have protested Chick-fil-A over its stance on the LGBTQ+ community, Cathy said the company is "focused on hospitality."
In 2012, Cathy's father and then-Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy sparked backlash after he confirmed the company supported the biblical definition of a "traditional" family.
The comments, plus Chick-fil-A's charitable donations to groups with anti-LGBTQ+ views, ignited widespread
protests of the chain. Dan Cathy said in 2014 that he regretted wading into the issue, and the company announced in 2019 it was adjusting its approach to charitable donations.
But Andrew Cathy's latest interview has ignited a fresh slate of criticism. Here's what to know.
Chick-fil-A CEO sidesteps question on LGBTQ+ stance. What he said
In the "Today" interview, Melvin raised Chick-fil-A's religious roots, suggesting that the company was "built on God."
"It is our anchor, in the sense of what our corporate purpose states, that we're in business to glorify God by being a faithful steward to all that's entrusted to us," Andrew Cathy said.
When Melvin asked the CEO for his response to those who have protested the chain over its track record on LGBTQ+ issues, Cathy said, "For anybody that hasn't tried us, we'd love for you to come try us and have our great tasting food and the hospitality we're known for."
"I think that everybody that will be willing to walk in the door, they'll see that they’re welcome to come eat with us," he said.
After Melvin commented that it appeared Cathy did not want to address the company's stance on same-sex marriage, the CEO responded, "We're focused on serving everybody that comes in to eat with us."
Pressed again to address the company's "official position on equal rights," Cathy responded, "We're focused on hospitality."
Chick-fil-A CEO's comments criticized. 'A non answer answer'
Cathy's interview stirred up new reactions, with many saying the CEO was playing chicken.
After "Today" posted a clip of his comments on Instagram, several celebrities even weighed in.
Katie Couric, a former "Today" host, commented, "A non answer answer."
"A good follow up would have been: 'Do you agree with (your) father?'" she added.
Andy Cohen commented that Cathy's answers "AINT IT."
"You had a chance to win us all back and you blew it," he said.
Actor BD Wong wrote, "ok well this helps me! i mean there ya have it folks! i hate you so much i cant even talk about it but im happy ta take your money come on in!"
"No thank you," Chelsea Handler commented.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Indiana, wrote on X that he was "proud" of Cathy for "standing firm on Christian family values."
Will Chick-fil-A open on Sundays?
Cathy also addressed the brand's longstanding policy of remaining closed on Sundays, indicating no plans for it to change.
"It does give team members an opportunity to know that hey, at least one day on the weekend I'm not going to have to go to work, which is great," he said.
He also said that he has never calculated how much the company loses in revenue by only being open six days a week.
"I never have because it's never something that we're entertaining. It's just too important for us," Cathy said.
He added: "That's one of the things about being a private business and a family business is we can make those types of investments because we know it means so much to our team members."
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chick-fil-A CEO dodges question on company's LGBTQ+ stance
