Business

Chick-fil-A at center of controversy

A group of gay-rights and same-sex marriage supporters protest in front of Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hollywood on Friday. LGBT supporters declared Friday to be National Same Sex Kiss Day and encouraged others to show up at Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide to stage a "kiss-in."

A group of gay-rights and same-sex marriage supporters protest in front of Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hollywood on Friday. LGBT supporters declared Friday to be National Same Sex Kiss Day and encouraged others to show up at Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide to stage a “kiss-in.”   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Just two weeks ago, Chick-fil-A was a fast-food restaurant best known for chicken sandwiches and cross-cut fries. Now the chain is known for much more, chiefly its leadership’s opposition to gay marriage. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee declared Wednesday Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, encouraging residents nationwide who support traditional values to plunk down some money and let the company know it’s not alone. Read more

Protest

A group of gay-rights and same-sex marriage supporters protest in front of Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hollywood.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Kissing protesters

Protesters take photos while Jason Arca, left, kisses James Mays, both of Los Angeles, in front of Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hollywood.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Showing support

Passenger in a vehicle show their support for a group of gay-rights and same-sex marriage supporters protesting in front of Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hollywood.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Gay pride flag

Gay pride flags are held up during protest in front of the Hollywood Chick-fil-A restaurant.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Hollywood protest

An anti-Chick-fil-A protester holds a sign outside a restaurant in Hollywood. Thousands of Americans turned out Wednesday to feast on fried chicken in a politically charged show of support for the family-owned fast-food chain which opposes same-sex marriage. Long lines and traffic jams were reported throughout the American heartland after 630,000 people declared on Facebook they would take part in a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.”  (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images)

Hollywood protest

Anti Chick-fil-A protesters hold signs outside a restaurant in Hollywood.   (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images)

Chick-fil-A Laguna Niguel

Hundreds of customers line up to get in the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Laguna Niguel.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Chick-fil-A Laguna Niguel

Tammy Weaver, center, places her order at the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Laguna Niguel. Supporters of the company whose executives made comments about gay marriage turned out in huge numbers here and across the nation. Weaver, who drove 20 miles from her home in Ladera Ranch to support the cause said, “I’m in favor of Biblical marriage.”  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Chick-fil-A Laguna Niguel

Hundreds of customers line up to get in the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Laguna Niguel. Supporters of the company whose executives made comments about gay marriage turned out in huge numbers across the nation.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Chick-fil-A

The Cathy family founded Chick-fil-A. In this Dec. 14, 2009, photo, founder S. Truett Cathy, left, and son Dan Cathy celebrate passing the $3-billon dollar mark in system-wide sales.  (Elissa Eubanks / Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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