BRITAIN'S first Chick Fil-A restaurant opened right here in Reading, yesterday, but its arrival has been met with backlash over homophobia claims linked with the US company.
Chick Fil-A has replaced Miami Burger in The Oracle with the menu offering chicken-based food including burgers and nuggets.
However, the restaurant's opening has faced backlash from the public raising concerns over claims the company supports anti-LGBTQ organisations.
One reader took to Twitter and simply wrote "homophobic" when responding to reports of its opening.
Another tweeted directly to The Oracle.
ProbablyAlice said: "@OracleReading just wondering why you allowed the homophobic American trash restaurant that is Chick Fil A make its break into the UK in the Oracle? Disrespect for a huge percentage of your customers."
@OracleReading just wondering why you allowed the homophobic American trash restaurant that is Chick Fil A make it’s break into the UK in the Oracle? Disrespect for a huge percentage of your customers
— Btw i’m vegan (@ProbablyAlice) October 10, 2019
Other readers have responded positively to the chain's opening.
Jordon 'choules' Wicks said: "Looks good. Should have a gander."
According to US news website, Think Progress, in 2017, the Chick Fil-A Foundation donated $1.8 million to three groups with a record of anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
This included a donation of more than $1.6 million to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes bar employees from engaging in "homosexual acts".
In a statement to The Reading Chronicle a Chick Fil-A Inc. spokesperson said: "We can confirm we opened a pilot licensed location at The Oracle Centre of Reading on October 10 and we are pleased to have already served several hundred customers in our first day.
"We understand and appreciate that people will have questions about our company and want to be clear that Chick-fil-A is a restaurant company focused on food, service and hospitality.
"We do not have a political or social agenda, and our brand is represented by more than 145,000 people from different backgrounds and beliefs.”
A spokesperson for the Oracle said: “At the Oracle, we’re proud to offer an inclusive space where all members of our community can come together to eat, shop, and connect.
"The new Chick-Fil-A restaurant is the first in the UK.
"It is a pilot restaurant aimed at testing how the brand and its range of meals performs in the UK.”
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