Lindsey Graham declares ‘war’ on NY to protect Chick-fil-A Sundays

Sen. Lindsey Graham announced he would go to “war” with New York over recently introduced legislation that could force Chick-fil-A to stay open seven days a week.

New York state legislators presented a bill that would require restaurants operating in state highway rest areas to stay open all week. That legislation would interfere with Chick-fil-A’s policy to shutter on Sundays.

“This is war,” Mr. Graham wrote on X.

If passed, the bill would apply to all restaurants operating in rest areas in the New York State Thruway Authority. And Chick-fil-A is directly mentioned in the legislation.

Mr. Graham threatened to withhold federal funding against New York or any other state that makes the chain stay open seven days a week. Chick-fil-A, headquartered in Atlanta, has remained closed on Sundays since its founding in 1946 as part of the company’s effort to infuse its Christian values into its business practices.

Employees are given the option to “worship if they choose” on Sundays, according to the company’s website.

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

He continued, “Chick-fil-A is a great company with thousands of locations serving the public with a quality product and taking care of their employees. New York is off base, and their actions will not go unanswered.”

The legislation was spurred by a  redevelopment project in the New York State Thruway Authority’s 27 rest areas. Chick-fil-A operates in seven of the rest areas. When the project is completed, the company’s locations will expand to 10. 

Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled Sen. Lindsey Graham‘s last name.