Sen. Lindsey Graham announced that he would go to “war” with New York over recently introduced legislation that could force Chick-fil-A to stay open seven days a week. 

New York state legislators recently introduced a bill that would require restaurants operating in state highway rest areas to stay open all week. That legislation would directly interfere with Chick-fil-A’s long-standing policy to shutter on Sundays. 

“This is war,” Mr. Graham said on X. 

If passed, the bill would apply to all restaurants operating in rest areas in the New York State Thruway Authority. However, Chick-fil-A is directly mentioned in the legislation. 

Mr. Graham threatened to withhold federal funding against New York or any other city or state that requires the chain to stay open seven days a week. Chick-fil-A has remained closed on Sundays since its founding in 1946 as part of the company’s efforts to infuse its Christian values into its business practices. 

Employees are given the option to “worship if they choose,” on Sundays, according to the company’s website. 

“The founders of Chick-fil-A made a decision early on to close on Sunday, consistent with their faith,” Mr. Graham said. “For any government to try to reverse this decision flies in the face of who we are as Americans.”

He continued, “Chick-fil-A is a great company with thousands of locations serving the public with a quality product and taking care of their employees. New York is off base and their actions will not go unanswered.”

The legislation was spurred by an ongoing redevelopment project in the New York State Thruway Authority’s 27 rest areas. Chick-fil-A currently operates in seven rest areas, but when the project is completed the company’s locations will expand to 10 along the highway. 

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