Chick-fil-A placing a focus on diversity has a specific group heated. 

Conservatives have rallied online after learning that the popular food chain appointed Erick McReynolds as vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion, according to the New York Post.  The appointment isn’t news however. McReynolds has had the role since November 2021 and been with the company since 2007. Still, it seems the conservatives are aligned with Chick-fil-A being against same-sex marriage, and are opposed to it becoming “woke.”

“This is bad,” conservative strategist Joey Mannarino said, according to the outlet. “Very bad. I don’t want to have to boycott. Are we going to have to boycott?” 

Mannarino went on to create a poll, in which around 47% of his 166,000 followers agreed on boycotting Chick-fil-A.

A main factor that further grew the conservatives’ opposition is the restaurant chain’s DEI page on its website, which amplifies its message that it is “Committed to being Better at Together.” 

“When we combine our unique backgrounds and experiences with a culture of belonging, we can discover new ways to strengthen the quality of care we deliver: to customers, to the communities we serve and to the world,” the company shared on its DEI page. “We understand that getting Better at Together means we learn better, care better, grow better and serve better.”

It continued, “Chick-fil-A, Inc.’s commitment to being Better at Together means embedding Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in everything we do.”

In his role, McReynolds believes that Chick-fil-A’s DEI commitment will further exemplify that its restaurants provide top-notch customer service.

“Modeling care for others starts in the restaurant, and we are committed to ensuring mutual respect, understanding and dignity everywhere we do business,” McReynolds said on the Chick-fil-A website. “These tenets are good business practice and crucial to fulfilling our Corporate Purpose.”

The DEI statement that’s outraging conservatives isn’t Chick-fil-A’s first time being outspoken on supporting marginalized communities. As previously reported by AfroTech, in 2022 the company pledged $5 million through the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards to nonprofits that are either Black-led or serve communities of color. The amount was to be split between 34 organizations.

According to Chick-fil-A’s website, the True Inspiration Awards was created in 2015.