A Case review of
Leah Anderson
Dan Johnson
Joel Taylor
An exercise in Moral Discernment
Background
◦ Founded in early 1960’s by S. Truett Cathy
◦ Privately held and family owned,
headquartered in Atlanta, GA
◦ Built company values around Cathy’s
Christian values
◦ Company meetings and retreats include prayers
◦ $4.1 billion in annual sales in 2011 a 13% increase over 2010
◦ $68 million in contributions to educational and charitable
organizations and millions of dollars in food donations over the
past 3 years.
◦ 1982 Started the WinShape Foundation
Locations
As of June 1, 2011
Issue Statement

Corporate Purpose
"To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all
that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence
on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.“
-Dan Cathy
Ethical Issue

Anti-Gay Statements by CEO

In 2010 Chick-Fil-A’s charitable arm, WinShape, donated nearly $2 million
dollars to anti-gay groups (equitymatters.org)

Dan Cathy reinforced his views in an interview on the Ken Coleman radio
show in which he stated
“I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when
we shake our fist at Him and say ‘we know better than you
as to what constitutes a marriage’ and I pray God’s mercy
on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude
to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about.”

Should companies promote their religious beliefs?
Ethical Dilemma

Pluralism: Affirms that every “ism” has its own
independent validity and an equal right to our
respect (Stott, 19)
◦
Statement by CEO supports company’s values is spite of potential
financial ramifications
◦
Taking a stand towards beliefs
Ethical Dilemma

Ethical Relativism – Def. the belief that morality
is relative to the society where it exists and that
its criticism and evaluation are irrelevant
◦ CEO’s statement outlines societal issue of defining marriage as
opposed to accepting God’s definition
◦ CEO has said he would probably fire an employee or terminate an
operator who "has been sinful or done something harmful to their
family members.“
◦ Closed on Sabbath
Ethical Dilemma

Using Religion in Business
PROS:
◦ Company saw a 2.2 percent increase in visits from July to Sept.
◦ Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee, created Chick-Fil-A Appreciation
Day on August 1, 2012 which led to record setting day of sales
◦ The turnover among Chick-fil-A operators is a low 5% a year. Among
hourly workers turnover is 60%, compared with 107% for the industry
CONS:
◦ Students at several colleges and universities launched grassroots
efforts to ban or remove the company's restaurants from its campuses
◦ 1 in 5 adults have no religious affiliation
◦ 13 million (6% of US population) self-described atheists and agnostics
◦ Chick-fil-A, the corporate parent, has been sued at least 12 times since
1988 on charges of employment discrimination, according to records in
U.S. District Courts.
Objective Viewpoints

Adverse effect on corporate culture

Increased sales

Religion in the workplace

Philanthropic model and contributions of the
business
Open Forum

How should Chick-fil-A proceed?
◦ Stay Firm?
◦ Stand Down?

Religious beliefs in a business model
◦ Corporate vs. Personal Values
◦ Requirement for employees to uphold values
In Closing

Company’s Response
◦ Amended affiliations
◦ Revamped philanthropic donations
We intend to stay the course," he said.
"We know that it might not be popular with everyone,
but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our
values and operate on biblical principles."
- Dan Cathy

By following principles and beliefs, company has flourished
Thank You