Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Chick-fil-A CEO stresses hospitality when asked about LGBTQ rights
Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy was questioned about LGBTQ rights during an interview with NBC’s Today co-anchor Craig Melvin.
Asked for the company’s official position on equal rights, Cathy said it focuses on hospitality, food and service.
The questions revisited a 2012 controversy over support for traditional marriage, when Cathy’s father, then CEO Dan Cathy, drew protests and boycotts.
Andrew Cathy said customers of all backgrounds are welcome at the chain’s restaurants.
Former Today anchor Katie Couric called his answer a “non answer answer” and said Melvin could have asked whether he agreed with his father.
The exchange renewed attention to Chick-fil-A’s Christian identity, which the company has linked to its Sunday closures.
Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy emphasized hospitality and service when NBC’s Craig Melvin asked about the chain’s position on LGBTQ rights.
Cathy said anyone willing to enter a Chick-fil-A restaurant was welcome and that the company wanted to offer good food and hospitality.
Melvin raised the company’s history of controversy, including its former CEO’s support for traditional marriage in 2012.
NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck criticized NBC’s handling of the interview, while former Today anchor Katie Couric called Cathy’s response a non-answer.
- Who
- Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy and NBC Today co-anchor Craig Melvin. NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck and former Today anchor Katie Couric also commented.
- What
- Melvin questioned Cathy about Chick-fil-A’s position on LGBTQ rights, and Cathy stressed hospitality and service.
- When
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Where
- The interview was on NBC’s Today. The location is not stated.
- Why
- Melvin asked about the chain’s position on equal rights and its past controversies involving LGBTQ rights.
Chick-fil-A
Critics of Chick-fil-A’s response
Response to questions
Chick-fil-A
Cathy emphasized hospitality, service and welcoming customers, without directly stating the company’s position on LGBTQ rights.
Critics of Chick-fil-A’s response
Couric called Cathy’s response a non-answer and suggested asking whether he agreed with his father’s 2012 statement supporting the biblical definition of family.
Interview framing
Chick-fil-A
Houck criticized NBC for emphasizing the company’s past controversy and called the interview an ambush.
Critics of Chick-fil-A’s response
Melvin pressed Cathy about the chain’s history and asked directly about its position on equal rights.
Former Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy publicly supported traditional marriage, prompting protests and boycotts.
Fox News Digital reported that Chick-fil-A would stop donating to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Salvation Army after criticism.
Craig Melvin questioned Andrew Cathy about LGBTQ rights and the company’s position on equal rights.
Curtis Houck criticized NBC’s handling of the segment, and Katie Couric criticized Cathy’s response.
- CEO
- Andrew Cathy
- Interviewer
- Craig Melvin, NBC Today co-anchor
- Past controversy
- Dan Cathy publicly supported traditional marriage in 2012
- Company response
- Cathy emphasized hospitality, service and welcoming customers
- Interview date
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026
What people are saying
We're focused on hospitality, serving great-tasting food and great service
Everybody that's willing to walk in the door, they're welcome to come eat with us. We would love to give them a great-tasting sandwich and great hospitality
this was wholly intended to be an ambush
A non answer answer