People hungry for chicken sandwiches may have more options available on Sunday in New York.
The New York State Assembly is expected to consider a bill that would require some Chic-fil-A locations to ditch their tradition of closing on Sundays.
Under proposed bill A08336, food service locations and other transportation facilities that are “owned and operated by certain public authorities” would be required to be open seven days a week.
According to NBC New York, the bill specifically mentions Chic-fil-A “in its justification for the proposed law.”
“There are seven Chick-fil-As at newly renovated service areas across the state, according to the bill,” the outlet noted.
The company explained it closes on Sunday so employees can spend time with their families and “worship if they choose.”
Assemblyman Tony Simone, who sponsored the bill, argued, “Look, if you want to eat fried chicken while traveling over the holidays, then Chick-fil-A should be open on Sundays.”
The legislation states, “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.”
“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,” it added.
The bill would not apply to every Chic-fil-A in the state.
However, it would apply to locations in rest areas along the thruway.
Still, NBC New York notes, “The bill wouldn’t immediately apply to restaurants currently operating — meaning the impact on existing Chick-fil-A locations would be limited — but would affect all future contracts for food concessions at transportation facilities.”
