An American fast food chain has won the backing of the Free Presbyterian Church with its recent opening in Northern Ireland.
Chick-fil-A is known for its commitment to never opening on Sundays, offering employees a day to rest, recharge, and worship if they choose.
The fast food chain began serving its signature lemonade and sandwiches at a new location within an Applegreen service station in Lisburn, Co Antrim, last week. A second outlet is set to open at another Applegreen station north of Belfast next month.
The Sunday policy is rooted in the values of founder Truett Cathy, a devout Baptist and has been in place since the chain opened its first restaurant in Georgia in 1946. This is now being implemented at the new locations in Northern Ireland. The commitment has been welcomed by many, including Rev David McIlveen, a retired figure from the church who has long advocated for Sunday as a day of rest.
He said: “We have protested against sporting events and other occasions that have taken place on the Lord’s Day. It’s nice to hear that there is a company that’s not opening on Sundays. There is also a dimension in preserving the Lord’s Day that is of benefit to those who are non-Christian. We need bodily refreshment, and that is part of the whole purpose of having a day set apart out of seven.”
Chick-fil-A is continuing its expansion plans in the UK, with future locations in Leeds, Liverpool, and London.