Mike Huckabee recently proclaimed August 1st as Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day as a stand for free speech and as support of a Christian business, and citizens in the Brown County area lined up at Heartland Mall’s Chick-fil-A to show that they are no exception when it comes to standing up for what they believe in.

Justin Leach, Owner of the Chick-fil-A in Heartland Mall stated that he was unsure what to expect from the day.

“It was started by customers, so we really had no idea (how many people to expect). But this is about 3 times, what we expected,” said Leach.  “From 11-12 we did about $300 less than we normally do for a whole day.  We have 30-45 minute waits.  We did 3 times what we do on black Friday.”

Local customers stated that they came to support their religious beliefs and the local restaurant.

“We came today because they support our Christian views,” said customer Pat Terry.

“We believe the Bible is true, what it says is true, and it will always be true,” Larry Terry said.

Huckabee created a Facebook page dedicated to the August 1st event and explained to followers that he was “incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick-fil-A company” after Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy made comments affirming his view that the Biblical view of marriage should be upheld.   He asked followers to help join his cause.

“I ask you to join me in speaking out on Wednesday, August 1 “Chick fil-A Appreciation Day,” said Huckabee on his Facebook page Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.  “No one is being asked to make signs, speeches, or openly demonstrate. The goal is simple: Let’s affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick fil-A on Wednesday, August 1.”

He further explained that Christians need to stand up for their values and urged supporters to do so peacefully.

“There’s no need for anyone to be angry or engage in a verbal battle, simply affirm appreciation for a company run by Christian principles by showing up on Wednesday, August 1 or by participating online – tweeting your support or sending a message on Facebook,” Huckabee said. “Too often, those on the left make corporate statements to show support for same sex marriage, abortion, or profanity, but if Christians affirm traditional values, we’re considered homophobic, fundamentalists, hate-mongers, and intolerant,” Huckabee explained. “This effort is not being launched by the Chick fil-A company and no one from the company or family is involved in proposing or promoting it.  The Cathy family, led by Chick fil-A founder Truett Cathy, is a wonderful Christian family who are committed to operating the company with Biblical principles and whose story is the true American success story.”

He gave the following history about Chick-fil-A:

Starting at age 46 Truett Cathy built Chick fil-A into a $4 billion a year enterprise with over 1600 stores. At 91, he is still active in the company, but his son Dan runs it day to day as CEO.  It’s a great American story that is being smeared by vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry from the left.  The Chick-fil-A company refuses to open on Sundays so that their employees can go to church if they wish. Despite the pressure from malls, airports, and the business world to open on Sundays, they still don’t. They treat customers and employees with respect and dignity.

Pictured above are customers waiting in line and enjoying their Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.  Below are more photos from the lunch crowd seen at the Heartland Mall location.  Photos by Emily Hutson and Dawn Norway.