BUFFALO, N.Y. — Two New York State lawmakers have introduced a new bill, with the focus on Chick-fil-A and its business hours along the Thruway.
The bill would require Chick-fil-A restaurants at New York State Thruway service plazas to be open seven days a week. Chick-fil-A is known for its chicken, and for having its locations closed on Sundays.
State Assembly member Tony Simone and State Senator Michelle Hinchey introduced the legislation.
In recent years, all 27 service areas along the Thruway are being redeveloped or remodeled as part of a $450 million private investment plan from Empire State Thruway Partners, and operated by Applegreen Limited, an Ireland-based company that is considered a premier operator of motorway services.
The legislation takes issue with unused space on Sundays, when many people are on the road.
"While there is nothing objectionable about a fast food restaurant closing on a particular day of the week, service areas dedicated to travelers is an inappropriate location for such a restaurant," the legislation says. "Publicly owned service areas should use their space to maximally benefit the public. Allowing for retail space to go unused one-seventh of the week or more is a disservice and unnecessary inconvenience to travelers who rely on these service areas."
This isn't the first time Chick-fil-A has been the center of a debate when it comes to travel locations in New York.
Back in 2021, LGBTQ members from the state legislature called on state officials to reconsider having Chick-fil-A at the rest stops because of its founders' opposition to LGBTQ rights.
Back in 2019, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Delaware North decided not to move forward with plans to bring in Chick-fil-A, citing backlash and a Federal Aviation Administration investigation.