Popeyes Relaunches Chicken Sandwich on Christian Sabbath to Spite Chick-fil-A

Popeyes announced this week its popular chicken sandwich would be returning on the first Sunday in November – a clear swipe at rival fast food chain Chick-fil-A, an unapologetically Christian company that observes the Sabbath.

The company made the announcement by way of a promotional video posted to YouTube on Monday.

The promo shows a Popeyes “Open Sunday” sign alongside a Chick-fil-A “Closed Sunday” sign.

MORE: Snopes Refuses to Label Debunked Claim About Chick-fil-A ‘False’

The debut of Popeyes’ new fried chicken sandwich in August saw it engage in a minor spat with Chick-fil-A on social media.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJxLX9suK6I&feature=youtu.be

For four years running, Chick-fil-A has earned the title of “America’s Favorite Restaurant,” according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

… y’all good? https://t.co/lPaTFXfnyP

— Popeyes (@Popeyes) August 19, 2019

And despite operating for only six days a week, Chick-fil-A reported earning more than $10 billion in revenue last year.

But the company’s stance on LGBT issues have been a point of contention for critics.

Following news of the relaunch of Popeyes’ chicken sandwich, some in the LGBT community resurfaced past complaints about Chick-fil-A.

Daniel Reynolds, a writer and social media editor for LGBT issues outlet The Advocate, claimed an “end to Chick-fil-A would be welcome news to many LGBTQ people and their allies.”

“The chain has a documented history of donations to anti-LGBTQ groups through its foundation as well as homophobic statements by its executives,” Reynolds wrote.

Chick-fil-A President and CEO Dan Cathy came under fire in 2012 for replying “guilty as charged” when asked if the company supported the “traditional family.”

“Closed on Sunday”

Anyone doubting the power of the Chick-fil-A brand to spark controversy – or inspire support – need look no further than hip-hop superstar Kanye West’s single “Closed on Sunday.”

At one point on the track, West raps:

When you got daughters, always keep ’em safe
Watch out for vipers, don’t let them indoctrinate
Closed on Sunday, you my Chick-fil-A
You’re my number one, with the lemonade

West, whose latest gospel-inspired album “Jesus Is King” is partially an indicator of his newfound devotion to the Christian faith, outraged some progressives with his unabashed homage to the company.

“How can anyone act like cancel culture’ is a real thing when a Black man like Kanye West can discredit the impact of slavery, support Trump obsessively, and promote dogmatism, cults, & Chick–fil–A like it’s trendy,” tweeted Philadelphia Magazine journalist Ernest Owens.

“If you’re jamming #JesusIsKing you’re a part of the problem,” Owens added.

(2/2)Anti-lgbt organizations. Kanye only cares for no one but himself. He is not the second coming. He is not a god. He is a complete idiot.

— Typo Joe MMXXIV (@joe_typo) October 28, 2019

Nor have LGBT supporters been shy about actively campaigning against the chain – sometimes in confounding ways.

MORE: Woman Trolls Chick-fil-A by Giving Them Money – Goes Viral

Earlier this year, a photograph of an LGBT-rights supporter “owning” Chick-fil-A by posing with the restaurant chain’s food items went viral.

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