Kitchener Chick-fil-A grand opening met with long line, protests
A new fast food franchise in Kitchener has been greeted by many customers as well as protesters.
The Chick-fil-A on Fairway Road officially opened its doors to the public Saturday morning, with roughly 100 people lined up beforehand waiting to get in, and some even camping out overnight.
"Very worth it to wait the 13 hours," said customer Joshua Toma.
The line to get into the Fairway Road Chick-fil-A in Kitchener on its first day open. (Carmen Wong/CTV Kitchener) (Aug. 7, 2021)
Later in the morning, about a dozen protesters showed up at the location to demonstrate.
"When I see the people lining up, all I can think about is you're supporting something that has a huge impact on my life," said protester Holly Ardelean. "The more I see Chick-fil-A pop up in Canada, the more I worry for my freedoms and rights as a gay person."
The restaurant chain has attracted opposition from LGBTQ2S+ groups whenever a new store has opened, including the two locations in Toronto.
"We're compromising respect for the LGBTQ community," said protest organizer Gavynn Mckay. "Where you spend your money matters. I would hope some folks look it up when they get home."
Spectrum Waterloo Region issued a statement expressing concerns with the company and its CEO’s backing of conversion therapy and anti-LGTQ2S+ groups.
"We're not calling for a boycott, just for people to be aware of who they are and whether they want to spend their money there," said President Caitlyn Glasson.
In 2020, the Atlanta-based company's charitable arm, the Chick-fil-A Foundation, committed to stop donations to two groups that opposed gay marriage. They instead refocused its donations to homelessness, hunger, and education.
In a statement Chick-fil-A Kitchener said in part, "everyone is welcome and we respect people's rights to share their opinions."
Despite the protests, some customers say they plan to visit again.
"I can't comment on the people, I'm just here for the food and hospitality," said customer Ankush Verma. "They haven't done anything to directly target me."
In celebration of the grand opening, Chick-fil-A will be donating $25,000 to the Waterloo Region Food Bank.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police
A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities.
2 Canadians confirmed dead in Poland, as consular officials gather information
Two Canadians have died following an incident in Poland, CTV News has learned.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls Donald Trump 'funny guy' in Fox News interview
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called U.S. president-elect Donald Trump a 'funny guy' on Wednesday in an interview with Fox News for his comment that Canada should become the United States's 51st state.
DEVELOPING As police search for suspect, disturbing video surfaces after U.S. health-care CEO gunned down in New York
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
Toddler fatally shot after his 7-year-old brother finds a gun in the family's truck
A two-year-old boy was fatally shot when his seven-year-old brother found a gun in the glovebox of the family's truck in Southern California, authorities said.
Millions in Cuba remain in dark after nationwide blackout
Cuba said it was generating only enough electricity to cover about 1/6th of peak demand late on Wednesday, hours after its national grid collapsed leaving millions without power.
'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has rebuffed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's offer to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to present the awaited fall economic statement as 'utterly absurd.'
Canada Post stores continue to operate during strike — but why?
As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open.
Mattel sued over 'Wicked' dolls with porn website link
Mattel was sued this week by a South Carolina mother for mistakenly putting a link to an adult film site on the packaging for its dolls tied to the movie 'Wicked.'