Chick Fil-A Stopped from going into Denver Int. Airport

                                                                          

The Denver City Council has stalled a deal to renew the lease of a Chick-fil-A restaurant at Denver International Airport, citing the company's reputation as an opponent of same-sex marriage.

The Business Development Committee on Tuesday stalled the seven-year deal with a new franchise of the popular chicken chain for two weeks.

"I think the airport also has a question about our reputation," said Robin Kniech, a Denver City Council Member, during Tuesday's meeting. "It has been the corporate philosophy [of Chik-fil-A] to use the dollars they earn to fund discriminatory lawsuits and to fund discriminatory political rhetoric. So that's of concern to the extent that they will be forming profits from operating in our airport."

Kniech and Council Member Jolon Clark on Wednesday said their focus now is on Chick-fil-A's current practices and policies.

"Constituents of mine, people who are very near and dear to me, have been fighting for their relationships to be recognized and for their rights to be equal," said Clark, who also questioned allowing the lease at DIA during Tuesday's meeting.

If the committee rejects the lease, an individual member could introduce the deal in the full council. At Tuesday's meeting, none of the 10 members in attendance defended Chick-fil-A.

In 2012 Chick-fil-A's president publicly reaffirmed his support of what he called the "biblical definition of the family unit" that did not include same-sex marriage. He has since said he regrets inserting the company into political debates.

A 2013 survey at DIA showed the chicken sandwich chain was the second-most suggested fast food at the airport, following Chipotle, which did not apply for the spot.

"Our passengers have said loud and clear that they like Chick-fil-A," DIA spokeswoman Stacey Stegman said. "We have very strong contracts that prohibit discrimination of any kind, and that’s what we expect of our business partners." 

7NEWS reached out to Chick-fi-A for a statement and received the following response:

Chick-fil-A is a restaurant company focused on serving great food and providing remarkable service to every single customer.

Chick-fil-A, Inc. and its franchised restaurant owners are equal opportunity employers, employing more than 75,000 individuals who represent many diverse viewpoints, opinions, backgrounds and beliefs. 

We are humbled to be named to the 2015 “Top 10 Best Companies to Work For” list by 24/7 Wall Street and to be first in our category in customer satisfaction according to the 2015 American Customer Satisfaction Index.

Jaclyn Allen
thedenverchannel.com