At first it was funny, now it is just ... almost sad. Every few seconds, there is a new comment bashing the restaurant's statement they made on gay marriage.
According to some, they are censoring posts. Which is really getting people riled up. I cant' say I agree with that policy, as I think it'd just make people more determined. But there are so ~many~. What the hell could anyone do to stop this? Just wait it out? Seriously?
https://www.facebook.com/ChickfilA
A nice little story: Once, UK budget airline Jet2 decided that they didn't want to carry on using Twitter, as it was causing them PR problems. Their solution was to close their account entirely. Their username was soon picked up by a disgruntled customer who christening himself 'Jethro2 (definitely not Jet2)', and proceeded to post highly amusing tweets at Jet2's expense on an almost daily basis. For all I know, he's still going. Sadly, Jet2 were so disengaged with social that they had no idea that this was going on.
well, don't say something so blatantly stupid I guess. (Whichever side of the debate you fall, you have to know that making a public statement over a contentious issue will kick things off - I assume from the comments I read that's what they did).
In truth, their problem isn't social media - looking at the comments they seem to be about 50/50. Its huge scale but if they ignore it it will eventually go away, insofar as people will stop posting. There are numerous case studies that show that once you hack off n people 'with a cause' there's no possible way out of it as the social media mob mentality kicks in.
Having already alienated half the population they can either decide not to stir things at all and wait until people get bored, or they can come out all guns blazing and defend their position. Apologies wouldn't work and will only upset the 50% who are currently defending them.
As it's bad press directed at the company/owners and not their products, I'm sure, and would probably put money on it that sales have increased considerably because of it.
It seems their stance is getting international attention.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19087889
...and for every company boss that still lives in the dark ages, there's one who's prepared to support marriage equality:
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/07/27/jeff-bezos-dumps-25-million-dollars-into-wa-states-marriage-equality-campaign
As a franchise owner I would be pissed if the CEO/president of the company I am locked in with took any stance on a political issue with such strong emotions.
http://www.webpronews.com/chick-fil-a-is-one-of-the-fastest-growing-brands-on-facebook-2012-08
Bet they're getting loads more sales due to the publicity and also from people who are opposed to gay marriage.
All seems a bit of storm in a teacup imo. Last time I looked it wasn't illegal to oppose gay marriage, so don't see why a CEO can't say he's against gay marriage.
All very politically motivated.
Lets just hope they're monetising on the situation
Local restaurants have been crazy busy lately with support ChikFilA day or month or whatever.
It started with the line going around the building. Then it basically shut down one of the main 4-lane roads where most of the shopping is done here.
I was wondering how many merchants have considered making a similar statement regardless of their real beliefs.
There's certain factors involved (i.e. as long as it's not about the product) but bad press is good for business.
I would class Jonah Berger (https://marketing.wharton.upenn.edu/faculty/berger/) an expert in the area and has studied the effects of bad press.
Lots of juicy information in his publication here - https://marketing.wharton.upenn.edu/files/?whdmsaction=public:main.file&fileID=897
It's a good read and recommend every business owner to read it :)