Chick-fil-A: Franchise Operators Must "Participate in Group Prayers"

[Quantum Windbag]

Personally, I think that all this Chick-fil-A brouhaha is much ado about nonsense. People on both sides need to get a life and stop acting so damn childish.

HOWEVER, it has managed to shed a light on some CfA internal requirements for franchisees that, in my humble opinion, is anathema to the notion of freedom in this country and what is and IS NOT appropriate for an employer to expect and demand out of an employee.

I don't read Daily Kos, but this was the first site where I could find this information. That's why I included it here.

Chick-fil-A: Franchise Operators Must "Espouse Christian Values" and "Participate in Group Prayers"


Listening to Randi Rhodes yesterday, I heard something that struck me. So I did a little research and found this, which I thought worth sharing with you all.


An article in the small business section of the Houston Chronicle reports on how one can win approval to become a franchise operator for Chick-fil-A.
First you fill out an application, and the company does some checking into your financial background, etc. Step 2 in winning approval mentions that the company wants franchisees to be "active" in their communities, and notes specifically that they "prefer" people who participate in "community, religious and professional organizations." Now it's getting interesting, but even that's pretty mild stuff compared to what's coming, especially after step 3, which merely emphasizes that operating the franchise should be the applicant's full-time job.

Step 4 Play an active role in your church. Chick-fil-A's owners are devout Christians and expect all of their operators to share Christian values. Operators do not need to be Christian, but must be willing to close the restaurant on Sundays, espouse Christian values and be willing to participate in group prayers during training and management meetings.
​

That's where I took a deep breath. Yes, it says that operators don't have to be Christian, but there's the part about values and prayers. We'll discuss that further in a bit. Step 5 asks applicants to be prepared for a long vetting process. Then Step 6 informs applicants that they will have to clearly declare their marital status, and notes that the chairman, S. Truett Cathy, "prefers" that all franchisees be married. The article goes on to explain that:

One-third of all Chick-fil-A operators have attended Christian relationship-building retreats at the urging of the company. Cathy notes that he would probably terminate the contract of an operator who had done something sinful or harmful to his family.​

Daily Kos: Chick-fil-A: Franchise Operators Must "Espouse Christian Values" and "Participate in Group Prayers"

So?

 

[martybegan]

Personally, I think that all this Chick-fil-A brouhaha is much ado about nonsense. People on both sides need to get a life and stop acting so damn childish.

HOWEVER, it has managed to shed a light on some CfA internal requirements for franchisees that, in my humble opinion, is anathema to the notion of freedom in this country and what is and IS NOT appropriate for an employer to expect and demand out of an employee.

I don't read Daily Kos, but this was the first site where I could find this information. That's why I included it here.

Franchisees aren't employees. They're business owners who purchase the name, reputation, advertising, and business assistance of a large company, and in so doing, take on a contractual responsibility to represent that company's name and reputation according to its rules. "Freedom" has nothing to do with it, since it is a voluntary contract between two private individuals. No one is forcing those franchisees to choose to open a Chick-Fil-A, rather than a Subway or a McDonald's or any other fast-food franchise, and as long as Chick-Fil-A is not requiring anything illegal, they have every right to choose their franchisees however they see fit.

In other words, yes, Chick-fil-A does engage in religious discrimination, but in this case, loopholes in our laws against such discrimination allow Chick-fil-a to get away with it.

What loophole? A franchise is a agreement between two owning parties of a proposed business? Where is the law that says you cannot include morals clauses (which this is) in contracts?

 

[Mustang]

Knowing that, you might think twice about buying into that privately held corporation.

See it how it works. ?

Actually, most business owners are smart enough not to alienate any segment of the population. And do you know why? Because it's NOT good business. You see, everyone's money is green and contributes to the bottom line, regardless of THEIR politics. That's why. Cathy has likely endeared himself to RW Christians with his announcement, but he's also alienated a LOT of people. Once the lines have shortened because the immediacy of the controversy is over, their franchises will probably experience a dip in sales as people take their business elsewhere.

I seriously doubt that.

Well, once things are back to normal, we'll see. Normal means that Christians aren't going to be lining up just because of the controversy. They'll go back to their usual eating habits which is what most people would do. If other people refuse to buy from C-f-A in the future (which COULD happen), then their business will drop off unless Christians (and others who support Cathy) decide to eat there more often than they otherwise would.

 

[Moonglow]

Apple will be crushed to hear of this. Apple has more money than God.

How much money does God have?

$500 less than Apple.

Sorry, This is Gods' world and everything that humans have is a gift from God.

 

[Charles_Main]

If it's truly voluntary to engage in group prayer, then a person may decline to pray as well as agree to pray. Since declining obviously is not an option if one wants to maintain their franchise, then it's obviously not voluntary.

See how that works?

Knowing that, you might think twice about buying into that privately held corporation.

See it how it works. ?

Actually, most business owners are smart enough not to alienate any segment of the population. And do you know why? Because it's NOT good business. You see, everyone's money is green and contributes to the bottom line, regardless of THEIR politics. That's why. Cathy has likely endeared himself to RW Christians with his announcement, but he's also alienated a LOT of people. Once the lines have shortened because the immediacy of the controversy is over, their franchises will probably experience a dip in sales as people take their business elsewhere.

Only this issue is not new, it's just new to the Liberal press. Chic Fil A has always held these beliefs, always pushed for Christians Values, Always been Closed on Sunday.

Anyone that would Boycott a Huge Company with Thousands of Employees and Individual Owners, In order to Punish 1 Man for what he said, is a Pathetic ass.

 

[del]

Personally, I think that all this Chick-fil-A brouhaha is much ado about nonsense. People on both sides need to get a life and stop acting so damn childish.

HOWEVER, it has managed to shed a light on some CfA internal requirements for franchisees that, in my humble opinion, is anathema to the notion of freedom in this country and what is and IS NOT appropriate for an employer to expect and demand out of an employee.

I don't read Daily Kos, but this was the first site where I could find this information. That's why I included it here.

they're not employes.

no one forces them to buy a franchise.

you may or may not wish to unbunch your panties now.

have a pleasant day.

While franchisees supposedly are not 'required' to be Christian, my guess is that most (if not all) franchisees are (or profess to be) Christians. Regardless, as a condition for being awarded a franchise, the operators are required or coerced into participating in group prayer.

Now, let's start with a premise at this point. IF there actually ARE some franchisees who are NOT Christian, doesn't it stand to reason that they feel that they're required to pray to a God they don't believe in just to maintain their franchise?

if they find that to be unreasonable, why would they buy a franchise in the first place?

i'm not sure what part of voluntary is troubling you.

 

[Moonglow]

Franchisees aren't employees. They're business owners who purchase the name, reputation, advertising, and business assistance of a large company, and in so doing, take on a contractual responsibility to represent that company's name and reputation according to its rules. "Freedom" has nothing to do with it, since it is a voluntary contract between two private individuals. No one is forcing those franchisees to choose to open a Chick-Fil-A, rather than a Subway or a McDonald's or any other fast-food franchise, and as long as Chick-Fil-A is not requiring anything illegal, they have every right to choose their franchisees however they see fit.

In other words, yes, Chick-fil-A does engage in religious discrimination, but in this case, loopholes in our laws against such discrimination allow Chick-fil-a to get away with it.

What loophole? A franchise is a agreement between two owning parties of a proposed business? Where is the law that says you cannot include morals clauses (which this is) in contracts?

Including sharia law in businesses that are in the USA?

 

[Quantum Windbag]

A franchisee is not an employee. CFA is not the Federal government. If people dont like it, they dont have to do business with CFA.
So other than being completely off base your post is stupid.

It's not off base in the least. It's religious discrimination which, by the way, is something that conservatives are always crying about. Chick-fil-A is imposing their religious values on people who essentially work FOR them, whether they're called employees, or franchisees, or contract workers. The end result is still the same.

Does a Kosher Deli have the right to insists that its employees all fallow the tenets of the Jewish faith regarding the preparation of food?

Yes.

Does a Halal store have the right to insist that all its employees are following the prescriptions of Islam?

Yes.

Your thread is a massive fail. as usual for anything you do.

 

[OODA_Loop]

Federal law says marriage is between a man and woman.

Sorry.

 

[ScreamingEagle]

Can a person legally be evicted from an apartment for refusing to pray with the apartment building owner when he is otherwise paying his rent on time and is in full compliance with the provisions of his lease?

no.....because it is not in the contract....

what is your big hang-up with praying.....?

And if it was in the contract, it wouldn't be legally binding.

If people want to pray voluntarily, I don't have a problem with it. But someone better not think that they can use their position of authority to coerce someone to pray under the threat (either an explicit or an implied threat) of punishment or sanction. That is just plain wrong, and I believe that it would not pass a constitutional test, contract or no contract.

why would the agreed requirement for a prayer meeting be any different from the agreed requirement of another type of meeting....?

we are talking about freedom OF religion.....not freedom FROM religion....

 

[Moonglow]

Knowing that, you might think twice about buying into that privately held corporation.

See it how it works. ?

Actually, most business owners are smart enough not to alienate any segment of the population. And do you know why? Because it's NOT good business. You see, everyone's money is green and contributes to the bottom line, regardless of THEIR politics. That's why. Cathy has likely endeared himself to RW Christians with his announcement, but he's also alienated a LOT of people. Once the lines have shortened because the immediacy of the controversy is over, their franchises will probably experience a dip in sales as people take their business elsewhere.

Only this issue is not new, it's just new to the Liberal press. Chic Fil A has always held these beliefs, always pushed for Christians Values, Always been Closed on Sunday.

Anyone that would Boycott a Huge Company with Thousands of Employees and Individual Owners, In order to Punish 1 Man for what he said, is a Pathetic ass.

I worked for them in 1977-78, there was no big flashing signs of Chrsitan faith like now.

 

[Mustang]

they're not employes.

no one forces them to buy a franchise.

you may or may not wish to unbunch your panties now.

have a pleasant day.

While franchisees supposedly are not 'required' to be Christian, my guess is that most (if not all) franchisees are (or profess to be) Christians. Regardless, as a condition for being awarded a franchise, the operators are required or coerced into participating in group prayer.

Now, let's start with a premise at this point. IF there actually ARE some franchisees who are NOT Christian, doesn't it stand to reason that they feel that they're required to pray to a God they don't believe in just to maintain their franchise?

if they find that to be unreasonable, why would they buy a franchise in the first place?

i'm not sure what part of voluntary is troubling you.

Do you have a reading comprehension problem? It's not voluntary if it's a requirement.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Personally, I think that all this Chick-fil-A brouhaha is much ado about nonsense. People on both sides need to get a life and stop acting so damn childish.

HOWEVER, it has managed to shed a light on some CfA internal requirements for franchisees that, in my humble opinion, is anathema to the notion of freedom in this country and what is and IS NOT appropriate for an employer to expect and demand out of an employee.

I don't read Daily Kos, but this was the first site where I could find this information. That's why I included it here.

Franchisees aren't employees. They're business owners who purchase the name, reputation, advertising, and business assistance of a large company, and in so doing, take on a contractual responsibility to represent that company's name and reputation according to its rules. "Freedom" has nothing to do with it, since it is a voluntary contract between two private individuals. No one is forcing those franchisees to choose to open a Chick-Fil-A, rather than a Subway or a McDonald's or any other fast-food franchise, and as long as Chick-Fil-A is not requiring anything illegal, they have every right to choose their franchisees however they see fit.

I don't have any problem with garden variety "codes of conduct" in order to set a standard of behavior related to business dealings. I also don't have any problem with work place rules. But imposing one's religious beliefs on another in the work place when the work place is anything other than a house of worship is just plain wrong and it runs contrary to the centuries old tenets of religious freedom on which this country was and is founded.

Aside from that common sense and logic, one can't sign away his or her constitutional freedoms under the provisions of a business contract.

One can, however, be informed in advance of the requirements of the job, which can actually include provisions that are religious. and either agree to them or get another job. Your problem is you assume people have a right to work for a company and that said company actually has to hire people that actively disagree with its religion. You are, as usual, wrong.

 

[Charles_Main]

Actually, most business owners are smart enough not to alienate any segment of the population. And do you know why? Because it's NOT good business. You see, everyone's money is green and contributes to the bottom line, regardless of THEIR politics. That's why. Cathy has likely endeared himself to RW Christians with his announcement, but he's also alienated a LOT of people. Once the lines have shortened because the immediacy of the controversy is over, their franchises will probably experience a dip in sales as people take their business elsewhere.

Only this issue is not new, it's just new to the Liberal press. Chic Fil A has always held these beliefs, always pushed for Christians Values, Always been Closed on Sunday.

Anyone that would Boycott a Huge Company with Thousands of Employees and Individual Owners, In order to Punish 1 Man for what he said, is a Pathetic ass.

I worked for them in 1977-78, there was no big flashing signs of Chrsitan faith like now.

There are no Signs now you fucking Jack ass.

 

[Charles_Main]

While franchisees supposedly are not 'required' to be Christian, my guess is that most (if not all) franchisees are (or profess to be) Christians. Regardless, as a condition for being awarded a franchise, the operators are required or coerced into participating in group prayer.

Now, let's start with a premise at this point. IF there actually ARE some franchisees who are NOT Christian, doesn't it stand to reason that they feel that they're required to pray to a God they don't believe in just to maintain their franchise?

if they find that to be unreasonable, why would they buy a franchise in the first place?

i'm not sure what part of voluntary is troubling you.

Do you have a reading comprehension problem? It's not voluntary if it's a requirement.

Are you Dense, they are Not Required to BUY A FRANCHISE with CFA

 

[del]

In other words, yes, Chick-fil-A does engage in religious discrimination, but in this case, loopholes in our laws against such discrimination allow Chick-fil-a to get away with it.

What loophole? A franchise is a agreement between two owning parties of a proposed business? Where is the law that says you cannot include morals clauses (which this is) in contracts?

Including sharia law in businesses that are in the USA?

why not?

it's a private business contract; you can have sharia law, no brown m&ms, a chicken in every pot, whatever.

 

[Mustang]

A franchisee is not an employee. CFA is not the Federal government. If people dont like it, they dont have to do business with CFA.
So other than being completely off base your post is stupid.

It's not off base in the least. It's religious discrimination which, by the way, is something that conservatives are always crying about. Chick-fil-A is imposing their religious values on people who essentially work FOR them, whether they're called employees, or franchisees, or contract workers. The end result is still the same.

Does a Kosher Deli have the right to insists that its employees all fallow the tenets of the Jewish faith regarding the preparation of food?

Yes.

Does a Halal store have the right to insist that all its employees are following the prescriptions of Islam?

Yes.

Your thread is a massive fail. as usual for anything you do.

Your attempt at making a valid point is what has failed.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Personally, I think that all this Chick-fil-A brouhaha is much ado about nonsense. People on both sides need to get a life and stop acting so damn childish.

HOWEVER, it has managed to shed a light on some CfA internal requirements for franchisees that, in my humble opinion, is anathema to the notion of freedom in this country and what is and IS NOT appropriate for an employer to expect and demand out of an employee.

I don't read Daily Kos, but this was the first site where I could find this information. That's why I included it here.

Franchisees aren't employees. They're business owners who purchase the name, reputation, advertising, and business assistance of a large company, and in so doing, take on a contractual responsibility to represent that company's name and reputation according to its rules. "Freedom" has nothing to do with it, since it is a voluntary contract between two private individuals. No one is forcing those franchisees to choose to open a Chick-Fil-A, rather than a Subway or a McDonald's or any other fast-food franchise, and as long as Chick-Fil-A is not requiring anything illegal, they have every right to choose their franchisees however they see fit.

And I have no obligation whatever to purchase anything from Chicki Poo. Chicki Poo joins my list of companies that will never see a dime of my money. They are in good company with Walmart and Apple.

I know this will make no difference in the larger scheme of things but it makes me feel better.

Good for you. If you really want to impress me stop denigrating them just because you disagree with them, and fully support their right to do business anywhere in this country, the same way I fully support your decision not to do business with them.

 

[del]

Federal law says marriage is between a man and woman.

Sorry.

that heap of shit will be in the dumper as soon as it gets to scotus.

sorry

 

[OODA_Loop]

Federal law says marriage is between a man and woman.

Sorry.

that heap of shit will be in the dumper as soon as it gets to scotus.

sorry

Until and if. Sorry. Law.

You dont have to like it. Just obey it.