Business & Tech

Brookfield Reacts to Chick-fil-A Coming to Town

We asked, you answered: Will you be the first in Connecticut to sink your teeth into the fried chicken that made Chick-fil-A famous?

When word got out that Chick-fil-A plans to open in Brookfield in 2014, it generated a good amount of conversation on Brookfield Patch.

Chick-fil-A made headlines when its CEO Dan Cathy spoke about the company’s support of the “biblical definition of a family unit,” including contributions to anti-gay organizations totaling almost $2 million through their WinShape Foundation in 2010. The remarks sparked both protests and shows of support for the chain and its CEO, the son of the restaurant’s founder.

Despite some adverse media attention, Chick-fil-A was named the No. 1 chicken chain in the U.S. in a market study in November 2012.

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Shuns & Support

Today, Chick-fil-A continues to receive both shuns and support.

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"The chik-fil-A (sic) corporation opted to voice a personal opinion and viewpoint on an issue that demonizes a demographic, and pushes forth an agenda of hate and discrimination," said Jeff Albarn in the comments section of this article. "It's crap food, and sure it may be franchised out by great, local owners, the parent company is bigoted...I will NOT be going to this 'restaurant'."

Some are happy to have a new restaurant in town.

"So Excited!!!" Andrea Dihel wrote on the Brookfield Patch Facebook page. "This will make living in CT a little easier for me!!! So HAPPY!!!!"

"Love that stuff," said reader arkay. "Makes Wendy's chicken sandwiches look sad."

Reader Erik called the political situation surrounding Chick-fil-A stupid. 

"All political stuff aside, I'm super excited as they have insanely good food," he said. "Besides the whole political thing is stupid. Owner comes out to support the now defunct DOMA, he gets bashed and his restaurant and employees get boycotted. Employees and franchises that have have their own minds and don't necessarily agree with the owner. Yet, it put their livelihood and jobs on the line. And boycotting wouldn't have changed the owners political views. There were even tons of examples of of the LGBT communities came out to support them in support of expressing their political views, even if they clearly did not agree with them."

A Mobile Matter

One reader had a traffic matter to discuss.

"Please let them know a turn signal and lane is needed headed north bound," DJRyze said. "Accident waiting to happen."

Another reader stressed the importance of exercising one's rights, while another reminded readers what the site looks like now.

"For the same reason your (sic) expressing what you believe in morally, is the same reason they can express what they believe in..," Mike Heck said on the Brookfield Patch Facebook page. "Nobody is forced to eat at the location..."

Gina Esposito-Ostergard made reference to the present building when she commented on Facebook: "It's fast food people, relax! Would you rather look at an abandoned building?"

Readers, will you shun or support Connecticut's first ever Chick-fil-A?

Aaron Boyd contributed to this article.


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