
<p>Chick-fil-A is getting some backlash for going woke. ; It has to do with the existence of a “diversity” department in the corporate structure. ; That has put the fast-food operation in the sight of some folks on the right. ; This is in keeping with the backlash against Anheuser Bush, for putting transgender influencers on its Bud Lite cans, Target, for putting up a major display of LGBTQ+ promotional items, and Disney for taking a position on legislation banning sexual content directed at young children in schools. ; (It was never a “Don’t Say Gay” bill as the left so eagerly misrepresented.)</p>



<p>In the Bud, Target, and Disney cases, there was a clear promotion of the most extreme alternative lifestyles – and in the case of Target, it included children’s “message” clothing. ; That is a far different situation than Chick-fil-A, which has had an internal diversity operation for several years – most dealing with employment practices. ; ;</p>



<p>What makes the Chick-fil-A case significantly different is that the company has historically been the target of leftwing backlash for the owners’ conservative Christian beliefs. ; The only noticeable impact that it has had on the food chain operation is that the outlets are not open on Sundays. ; ;</p>



<p>The owners have been criticized for their pro-life position on abortion. ; As conservative Christians, the owners have followed the position of abhorring the sin but loving the sinner. ; More importantly, those beliefs have not impacted the serving of great chicken sandwiches to everyone – and to hire regardless of race, creed, or lifestyle.</p>



<p>Several years ago, Chick-fil-A was on the top of the news for their owners’ conservative values – with those on the left calling for a boycott. ; It did not work – just as most left–wing boycotts do not. ; Chick-fil-A soared to one of the most successful fast-food franchises in the country. ; </p>



<p>In fact, the one near me has a line of cars in the drive-thru at almost any hour of the day. ; One of my liberal friends – with whom I dine frequently – refuses to eat at Chick-fil-A as her personal protest. ; ;</p>



<p>It was interesting to see how knee-jerk reactive the left can be. ; MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” line up – with some of the leading voices in leftwing propaganda &#8212; was suddenly in praise of Chick-fil-A. ; Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist – three hardcore lefties – were all in praise of Chick-fil-A as one of their favorite eateries. ; They even praised their Christian values. ; (Brzezinski must have forgotten about her pro-abortion stand in that moment).</p>



<p>It should be noted that the backlash against Chick-fil-A on the right is very limited compared to the attack on Anheuser Bush, Target and Disney. A lot of conservatives are not joining the anti-Chick-fil-A backlash. ; As the situation becomes clearer, the protest is likely to evaporate. ;</p>



<p>I doubt that their business will be hurt – unlike AB (with a $19 billion drop value) and Target (with a $16 billion drop). ; The consumer jury is still out, but the Bud Lite brand may be dead. ; Numbers vary in the Disney case, but gate revenues and product sales are noticeably down – and the Disney animated movie released at the height of the controversy, “Strange World,” bombed like no previous offering by the number one producer of Childrens’ content.</p>



<p>History seems to suggest that leftwing boycotts generally fail – and may even make the target more popular. ; Chick-fil-A is but one example. ; Many conservative voices speak out against all corporate boycotts, such as Sean Hannity. ; But boycotts against corporate wokeness seem to have an effect. ; Perhaps because conservative backlashes tend to be more organic, Conservative folks may be more willing to give up on companies that push against their values. ; It is more of an instinct than a response to any call-to-arms.</p>



<p>One of my major services as a public affairs consultant has been to advise businesses to stay away from intermingling their marketing strategies with partisan or controversial issues. ; It limits their growth potential and is a fiduciary disservice to stakeholders. ; Anheuser Bush, Target, and Disney have learned this the hard way. ; While proclaiming their righteousness, all three are cutting back on their promotion of controversial causes.</p>



<p>Personally, I will avoid the Anheuser-Bush family of beers (I do not imbibe much anyway) – and I have never liked shopping at Target. ; I am too old for most Disney movies – and as far as Disney World – been there and done that. ; As for Chick-fil-A, this commentary has made me hungry. ; I may have to endure the line at my local outlet in the next day or two.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis. ;</p>

Did Chick-fil-A Really Go Woke?
