Monday, May 14, 2012
Chick-fil-A Officially Coming to San Jose!
The most eagerly awaited restaurant at the @First development (North First and 237) would have to be Chick-fil-A. There have been many discussions back and forth on whether this restaurant was even going to make it to the South Bay, but today I'm happy to confirm that it's going to happen. I even have a launch date for everyone: July 26th. This will be the very first Chick-fil-A in the Bay Area Correction: This will be the first stand-alone Chick-fil-A (non-mall) within 60 miles of San Jose. There is one in Fairfield, which is technically part of the Bay Area.
Sigh.
ReplyDeletethey didn't open on 07/26/2012
DeleteThey delayed the opening. It will now open on August 23.
DeleteThis is a religious right wing homophobe company - frankly, I am sad & disgusted they are coming to the Bay Area. Not all companies are equal and should not be welcomed with open arms. While their sandwiches are yummy, you are only lining the right wing nut jobs pockets who own it.
ReplyDeleteI like this blog to some extent, but you are a real Polly Anna (naive for the rest of you) sometimes in your posting. This will piss some of you off, sorry.
Keep on posting, I love checking out what San Jose is doing, but accept the views of your readers too.
Seems a bit harsh don't you think?
DeleteI tend to agree with Anonymous. Very easy to spout off your comments Unknown. Can you give us some facts to go along with your opinion? I am open minded and have no problem with accepting your comments as long as you can back them up.
Deleteit's just food. Hopefully we won't see you there!
DeleteGlad to see someone else feels this way too. You vote with your dollar when you patron establishments like this, please consider what that money is going toward.
DeleteThose who are unfamiliar with Chick-fil-a's prejudicial and unethical practices, here are some highlights:
-Fired Muslim employees for refusing to take part in Christian prayers while on the clock.
-Discrimination (and managerial proselytizing) against non-Christians in the workplace and alleged (please note, this is only alleged) discriminatory hiring practices on the basis of religion.
-Fundamentalist Christian founder.
-Co-sponsored marriage "protection" events, giving money to PFI's prop 8 support campaign.
-Gave roughly 8 million dollars to other anti-gay
organizations (Winshape, among others).
-Gives out Christian toys and media in children's meals.
-Regularly sues small businesses on frivolous claims, earning the condemnation of governors, media, and entrepreneurs.
-Does not package or provide Any recycled or recyclable products such as napkins, cups, bags, etc.
-Sources from factory CAFO farms and from farms employing illegal and unpaid labor.
Even one of those issues is enough to make me pause. With all of them, it takes unethical to a new low.
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DeleteSO... you're citing "fundamentalist Christian founder" as a "prejudicial and unethical practice"? I'd find this laughable if it weren't so terribly hypocritical. Muslims wouldn't take part in Christian prayers, but I daresay that if Muslims had expressed a problem with Christians (oh wait... they do) it would be completely acceptable. You're actually incorrect about the recyclable materials. (I have been familiar with Chickfila from a business standpoint for years, and many of their materials are recyclable.) Winshape Foundation provides summer camps and foster home opportunities for needy children (which I suppose you would consider homophobic, since those foster homes offer a MOTHER and FATHER). And Christian toys and media? Let's consider the positive messages promoted (self-worth, forgiveness, love, creativity, etc.) as opposed to... the toys from any other restaurants that aren't teaching those lessons, are they?
Delete"All restaurants are not created equal." I am fairly confident that if I posted an identical remark about a restaurant that supported gay marriage and was founded by, say, an atheist, I would be lambasted as some sort of sicko. But someone can make these same statements simply because an organization stands on Christian principles, and no one bats an eye.
Basically you're saying that all religions and political persuasions and sexual orientations are equal, unless you're a Christian. Then you're just a "religious right wing homophobe." Swallow a little of your own medicine and give some of the respect you demand.
You make me sad, unknown. I forgive you, but still I think you're being mean.
DeleteAMEN!!! Anonymous on 5/14/12 at 3:44PM You are so dead on! Where is equality when you are a Christian???
DeleteI think Hitchens said it best, as is noted by the string of idiotic comments here, religion poisons everything. "Crushing dissent", really? Your desire for a fried chicken sandwich has outweighed your secular humanity; crushing dissent indeed... (Yawn).
DeleteThere is nothing wrong with promoting Christian values at a Christian-ran food chain. At least it is promoting great character values versus not promoting anything at all. And their food is healthier than most other fast-food restaurants. It originated in the South, so the foundations are build on Christianity. If you have a problem with the fast-food chain, then don't eat there- it's that simple!
DeleteThey are not simply "promoting Christianity". They are contributing money to OPPOSE other people. For those who say "let them have their beliefs"; fine, but don't infringe upon mine. And when they contribute to organizations that tell me I can't define MY OWN relationship ("Marriage andFamily [just not Yours]" Foundation, that I need to change (Exodus International), or that I'm a degenerate ("Family" "Research" Council), then that's not "promoting Christianity", that's disparaging others.
DeleteI agree with anonymous.
DeleteI like their food. Good addition to San Jose. If you don like the company, don't eat there. If enough people share your views, they will go out of business.
ReplyDeleteGood point; the problem, though, is that the sort of people who scream "homophobe!" are very typical the sort of people who have a need to crush dissent "by any means necessary".
DeleteClassic SIXHIRB.
This is fast food. Not news.
ReplyDeleteGross food and repulsive company policies.
ReplyDeleteCool-I won't have to wait in the long line-behind you! Good eats for me.
DeleteWhat are their company policies? The only thing negative that I saw about them is that they catered a conservative banquet of a group that campaign against gay marriage, but later rescinded the support of the group after public outcry.
DeleteDid they do something else?
I love Chick-fil-a food, but Im from the south. I personally dont know anything about their politics but Im sure they will become a fixture in the bay area.
ReplyDeleteBTW..I am not a religious homophobe.
I CANNOT WAIT! I used to live in SC and loved eating at Chick-Fil-A! Altho-the actual 1st Chick-Fil-A in the Bay Area was a few years ago-there was one in the Sunnyvale Mall-upstairs! Unfortuneatly-it didn't make it. But-I will be a patron often when we finally get one here in San Jose. Looking forward to July 26!
ReplyDeleteMy dad was the manager of the Sunnyvale Chick-Fil-A when I was born in 1989. My mom handed out samples, while she was pregnant with me. I would stay in the back of the restaurant in my play pen, too. I am so happy to see that it will be near us!
DeleteI lived in Texas a long time ago and ate there often. Food is nothing to write home about, but seriously Unknown at 6:49am, you need to lighten up. Let people do their own thinking. What about Apple and their sweatshops in China, or moving business units to Nevada to avoid California tax, or indeed all the piles of cash that these big corporations hold in foreign bank accounts.
ReplyDeleteJust want to say I am happy they are coming and I will eat there.
ReplyDeleteThere is actually one already open the bay area, so this article is wrong... There us one in a mall in Fairfield..... I've been there a couple times
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time considering Fairfield to be the Bay Area, but technically that's right.
DeleteIt's true Chik Fil-A is uber-Christian (hate teh gay, closed on Sundays, firing Muslims, etc.) and their chicken sandwiches and fries are bomb, their places are super-clean, their food a bit on the expensive side, there's this thing called Wikipedia for those who don't know, and being anti-gay/anti-black/anti-whatever is not a recipe for going out of business no matter how much Rand Paul would like to believe it -- that's kinda what that whole MLK/Civil Rights/police dogs and water cannons thing was about, in case you missed it.
ReplyDeleteSigned,
not anonymouse
Again, they have 1614 locations in 38 states. It's "news" like that that keeps San Jose down and from being taken seriously as a real city.
ReplyDeleteI disagree, a lot of people are waiting to have one here including myself.
DeleteI agree with you that this isn't really big news, but it's his blog and let's face it...
DeleteSan Jose doesn't really have enough exciting developments and happenings to be blogging about on a daily basis.
There are a lot of substantive problems with this company. Normally, any one of the issues in AAR's nice list would keep me far away, but a junkie can't really hold his dealer to a high moral standard.
ReplyDeleteI think CFA should be able to make progress in the health and environment domains since there is no ideological barrier there. They seem to be experimenting with recycling, and are using peanut oil for frying (0 transfat, lower satfat).
But I may have to give $5 to some gay rights organization every time I eat there, as sort of a "terrapass" for chick-fil-a.
Salinas once had a Chick-fil-a and it was one of the best companies I have ever worked for! So all you haters get your heads out of your A**! If you don't like it Don't eat There!! I can't wait!! An I will be taking friends and family there!!
ReplyDeleteActually, this is a *return* to the San Jose area. There used to be one in the Sunnyvale Town Center Mall - when there used to *be* a Sunnyvale Town Center Mall.
ReplyDeleteIf you've never had a Chick-fil-A sandwich and live within driving distance of this location, prepare to have your life finally fulfilled. I live 3 minutes away. Panera, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle and Five Guys all in the same parking lot? It's the biggest thing to happen to San Jose since ... I can't think of anything close.
ReplyDeleteJuly 26!!
so much for peace love and understanding..so much hate...they have thier beliefs and you have yours...if you dont like it then dont eat there moron...
ReplyDeleteAnti-homophobes, why don't we look on the bright side? As Chick-fil-a expands in the Bay Area and other socially progress areas, it will become more exposed to different ways of thought. Just like a person, a company can learn and become more open-minded. Maybe there will be picketers. Maybe the employees themselves will speak out. More likely, Chick-fil-a will just back off on its views in order to appease customers.
ReplyDeleteis there gonna be a chick fil a in morocco? the buisness would boom since moroccans love chicken. i would love it if there was
ReplyDeleteI am fine with gay marriage, but I am also fine with others being opposed to that view and supporting their own viewpoints based on their religious beliefts. What is America coming to??? Aren't we founded on freedom of religion? Why does everyone always have to agree on every issue? Agree to disagree, if you are so vehemently opposed then don't buy what can be described as no less than the most incredible chicken sandwich to ever be created. No one is forcing you to open your wallet and buy one, why attempt to force your beliefs on others saying people shouldn't buy one? A bit hypocritical in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAnd people, if you have ever eaten there before, you will surely realize that this is worthwhile news. Chick Fil A has a cult following and there are thousands eagerly awaiting a south bay opening.
According to Chick-fil-a's web site, the opening has been delayed till August 16.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to San Jose Chick-Fil-A we need more business like you in
ReplyDeletethis area. I will be looking forward to your opening.
I know you will have success. Lots of people love your food.
Politics aside... the LAST thing San Jose needs is another fast (junk) food outlet!
ReplyDeleteAlviso is an interesting location BUT isolated from family living areas of San Jose. I would have thought Hwy 85 & Almaden Expy a better choice – maybe next one! --- Hank M.
ReplyDeleteSo explain to me how it is okay for the spouses of those that work in the auto-industry to get those same benefits (they have nothing to do with the auto industry either) and it is not okay for same-sex partners to earn those same benefits?
ReplyDeleteGive me a break, these discussions are a huge waste of time. Let's skip ahead 2 or 3 years and just give equal right for all and focus on real problems. If you still think there is any meaningful difference between a straight couple and a gay couple, you are living in the past... one which the US will never return to.