Proposed New York bill specifically targets Chick-fil-A rest stop locations to force opening on Sunday

ALBANY, NY- It isn’t like crime is out of control in New York City, and it is being overrun by illegal immigrants or anything. After all, for New York Democrats, it’s all about priorities. 

NBC New York reports that a bill proposed in the New York Assembly would force Chick-fil-A restaurants operating on the New York Thruway to remain open on Sundays. Currently, the fast food chain closes all of its restaurants on Sundays in deference to the Sabbath day. The company’s website explains the policy of closing on Sunday so employees can enjoy time with their families and “worship if they choose.” 

The proposed bill, A08336, “would require that food services at rest stops and other transportation facilities ‘owned and operated by certain public authorities’ remain open seven days a week,” the outlet reported. 

The bill targets Chick-fil-A specifically, which is evidenced by the fact the chain is the only restaurant targeted in the bill, explicitly mentioning the chain by name as a means to justify the proposed new law. Currently, seven Chick-fil-A’s are operating at newly renovated service areas across the Empire State. 

Chick-fil-A has served as a target for unhinged leftists due to the personal opinion expressed by the company’s CEO in opposition to same-sex marriage. Despite that, no evidence has been presented that shows the company systemically discriminates against the alphabet community. 

Some leftists have accused the company of being homophobic, and the chain was subjected to boycotts in 2012 after it offered financial support to groups opposing the legalization of same-sex marriage. Since then, Chick-fil-A scaled back such interests' financial support and ended it in 2019. 

The bill is proposed by Assemblyman Tony Simone, who represents the west side of Manhattan. He and other bill sponsors claim the closing of Chick-fil-A restaurants on Sunday is a “disservice to travelers.” He says the bill's purpose is to give travelers access to several choices at rest stops and claims it is not targeted at Chick-fil-A despite the chain being named explicitly in the bill. 

“Look, if you want to eat fried chicken while traveling over the holidays, then Chick-fil-A should be open on Sundays,” Simone, who clearly has too much time on his hands, said. 

“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 reads. “Publicly owned service areas should use their space to maximally benefit the public. Allowing for retail space to go unused one-seventh of the week or more is a disservice and unnecessary inconvenience to travelers who rely on these service areas.” 

In 2021, an Irish convenience store chain, Applegreen, signed a 33-year contract with New York State to take over the leases of all service areas along the New York State Thruway. This primarily toll road connects New York City to Albany and Buffalo. According to Thruway Authority spokesperson Jennifer Givner, the fast food chain was permitted to maintain its regular hours under the contract terms. 

Currently, there is a redevelopment project underway to modernize the 27 service areas along the Thruway. Under terms of the project, 23 service areas are slated to be rebuilt, with significant renovations being facilitated on the remaining four. 

After the project is complete, Chick-fil-A will operate restaurants in 10 service areas on the Thruway, all of which will have at least one other food option with convenience stores open daily. 

While the bill wouldn’t force all Chick-fil-A restaurants, such as those at standalone locations, to remain open seven days per week, the proposed bill goes beyond just highway rest stops. The legislation could also impact operations with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. 

The legislation would have a limited impact on existing Chick-fil-A locations; however, it would affect all future contracts for food concessions at transportation facilities and wouldn’t include temporary concessions such as farmer’s markets. 

The proposed bill has incensed conservative lawmakers far beyond New York, however. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Friday he would introduce legislation to withhold federal funds from any city or state government, forcing Chick-fil-A to open on Sundays, Fox Business reported. 

“This is war,” Graham wrote on “X.” If this goes forward, I will be introducing legislation withholding federal funds from any city or state that requires @ChickfilA to open on Sunday. New York is off base, and their actions will not go unanswered.” 

“The founders of Chick-fil-A made a decision early on to close on Sunday, consistent with their faith,” Graham wrote. “For any government to try to reverse this decision flies in the face of who we are as Americans.” 

Graham noted that the fast food chain “is a great company with thousands of locations serving the public with a quality product and taking care of their employees.”