Chick-fil-A Ban

Nickster said:
By keeping Chick-fil-A in the park, Cedar Point is really spreading the impression that the park agrees with the chain's homophobic message. Most visitors are not going to search the web for whether or not the park made a statement talking about their opinions on Chick-fil-A's message. If they see the restaurant in the park, they could automatically assume that Cedar Point shares the same opinion as Chick-fil-A.

You're too wrapped up in this.

*Most* visitors, by now, have forgotten about the whole issue, and see that Cedar Fair is offering them a franchised food choice that may not otherwise be available to them (I think the locations at Kings Island and Cedar Point were the first locations in Ohio), and that, perplexingly, is still not available to them if (like me) they happen to be in the park on Sunday.

The people who actually care probably know enough about the issue to know that Cedar Fair and Chik-Fil-A are two different companies, and that Cedar Fair is an independent franchisee.

A separate issue is that among the people who care, the damage to Chik-Fil-A is not repairable. Among a certain segment of the population, the company is now incapable of doing right. They could completely reverse their corporate stance at this point, and it wouldn't make a bit of difference. Pity that people hold grudges...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

RideMan said:

Nickster said:
By keeping Chick-fil-A in the park, Cedar Point is really spreading the impression that the park agrees with the chain's homophobic message. Most visitors are not going to search the web for whether or not the park made a statement talking about their opinions on Chick-fil-A's message. If they see the restaurant in the park, they could automatically assume that Cedar Point shares the same opinion as Chick-fil-A.

You're too wrapped up in this.

*Most* visitors, by now, have forgotten about the whole issue, and see that Cedar Fair is offering them a franchised food choice that may not otherwise be available to them (I think the locations at Kings Island and Cedar Point were the first locations in Ohio), and that, perplexingly, is still not available to them if (like me) they happen to be in the park on Sunday.

The people who actually care probably know enough about the issue to know that Cedar Fair and Chik-Fil-A are two different companies, and that Cedar Fair is an independent franchisee.

A separate issue is that among the people who care, the damage to Chik-Fil-A is not repairable. Among a certain segment of the population, the company is now incapable of doing right. They could completely reverse their corporate stance at this point, and it wouldn't make a bit of difference. Pity that people hold grudges...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Just because I've said my opinion doesn't make me "too wrapped up in this."

Many people may see all of this Chick-fil-A drama on the local news, Facebook, etc. They may automatically think, "Wow... I'm not eating there if they have that message." And that's the end of that. They aren't going to rummage through the Internet, pinpointing every Chick-fil-A location. And furthermore, who's going to search specifically for a Chick-fil-A location in an amusement park?

Then that person walks into Cedar Point, greeted with Chick-fil-A. What are they going to think? "Huh... I didn't know Cedar Point were those type of people." It's going to damage Cedar Point by keeping this restaurant in the park. No, it's not going to be this big, major hit to their reputation, but there is going to be a small impact.

However, it is true that Chick-fil-A's reputation is permanently damaged. I know personally, I won't ever be eating there. There's nothing that this company can do, now. They've now lost the respect of many people.

Kudos for Chick-fil-A if they expressed their belief, or simply answered a question. Woe to them if they support any group that is directly attempting to limit human rights. Religious groups should not push legislation based on their beliefs. If so, deal with adultery first, then move onto other stuff that more people are guilty of. Finally, if you're going to boycott Chick-fil-A because of all of this, that's your right. However, since they choose to remain closed on Sundays, I'm not sure they're worried about your dollars.

You're too wrapped up in this.

Really, Dave? How does one get "too wrapped up" in fighting for others' civil rights? However small of a brick in the wall this might be, its a brick. People are obviously passionate about this, and that's a good thing.

They could completely reverse their corporate stance at this point, and it wouldn't make a bit of difference. Pity that people hold grudges...

Um, no? Completely reversing their corporate stance would be a wonderful thing, and I would welcome them to the light side of the force and congratulate them.

But, the dark side has such cool looking light sabers.

What do you know, we agree. ;)

I haven't read through the whole thread, so forgive me if this is redundant, but all I have to say:

Chick-Fil-A will change its stance with time, or they will eventually die as a business.

If you want to accelerate this process, don't eat there. It won't be long before CP and others start plucking this chicken and replacing it with something more profitable / desirable.

Nickster said:

Then that person walks into Cedar Point, greeted with Chick-fil-A. What are they going to think? "Huh... I didn't know Cedar Point were those type of people." It's going to damage Cedar Point by keeping this restaurant in the park. No, it's not going to be this big, major hit to their reputation, but there is going to be a small impact.

Why would anyone think that? Cedar Fair is a different company. Personally I don't even walk* into a Chick-Fil-A and think that.

*I don't walk into the place at all. Don't think I've ever been to one, but this has nothing to do with any beliefs.

Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner please. :)

Kevinj said:
What do you know, we agree. ;)

Yeah, it happens sometimes.

I do not see why people are making this a big deal. Yeah they blew their mouth off, but they have the right to their views. I'm 100% for gay rights, but I wouldn't boycott a company. Think of it this way.. The CEO ran his mouth but he is already loaded, so in reality boycotting this company will in the long term really only hurt and put a lot of people out of work. So have your opinions, and if you're that offended then don't eat there but don't try to start a complete nationwide boycott.

Kevinj said:
You're right. We are so silly for standing up for human rights and civil liberties. Martin Luther King Jr. wasted so much of his time! Silly black folk. And women? What's the deal? Just stay at home and raise kids you silly vagina-laden people.

This guy makes the most sense of anyone on the thread.

Ffej said:
Chick-Fil-A will change its stance with time, or they will eventually die as a business.

Doubtful. Take a trip south. I think the opposite is true - if they came out promoting gay marriage they'd die as a business. We still have 3.2% ABV beer here in Oklahoma because some back ass religious views making it into our laws.

I definitely agree with how big this chain is down in the south.

bholcomb said:

Ffej said:
Chick-Fil-A will change its stance with time, or they will eventually die as a business.

Doubtful. Take a trip south. I think the opposite is true - if they came out promoting gay marriage they'd die as a business. We still have 3.2% ABV beer here in Oklahoma because some back ass religious views making it into our laws.

You're thinking way too much in the present. I don't think a fried chicken chain supporting slavery or one against women's rights would be doing too well today, regardless of its location.

Westbrady18 said:
I'm 100% for gay rights, but I wouldn't boycott a company.

So really, you're 100% when it's convenient for you. I see what you did there. Non-committal, passive aggressive responsibility is the way to go.

Ffej: You might be surprised down here. Lots of closed-minded people.

I for one would eat at a place against women voting (or driving). ;)

Westbrady18 said:
I do not see why people are making this a big deal. Yeah they blew their mouth off, but they have the right to their views. I'm 100% for gay rights, but I wouldn't boycott a company. Think of it this way.. The CEO ran his mouth but he is already loaded, so in reality boycotting this company will in the long term really only hurt and put a lot of people out of work. So have your opinions, and if you're that offended then don't eat there but don't try to start a complete nationwide boycott.

The big deal is he did not just have a different point of view. They gave $$$ to anti gay causes, with the purpose to take gay peoples rights away.

Is there a point at which Cedar Point becomes culpable? If a person is judged for continuing to patronize CFA, what about a company who continues to do business with them?

Playing the devil's advocate card, would you continue to patronize Cedar Point if they, for example, were to extend their lease/contract/agreement with CFA?

^Which from what I have been told, they renewed the contract this season for another few years.