Democrats Attack Chick-fil-A

Liberals have seized on this opportunity to attack the Christian restaurant chain.

A Chick-fil-A in Louisiana has garnered significant attention with the launch of its new children’s program, sparking a mix of excitement and controversy.

On June 5, the Chick-fil-A franchise in Hammond, Louisiana, introduced “Chick-fil-A Summer Camp,” a unique offering aimed at children aged five to twelve. For a fee of $35, children can participate in a single three-hour session. Each session includes a kids meal, a T-shirt, a name tag, and a snack. Activities involve spending time with the Chick-fil-A Cow and team leaders (managerial staff) and getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the restaurant’s operations.

“We are thrilled to announce our inaugural Chick-fil-A Summer Camp,” the franchisee shared on Facebook. Initially, three sessions were offered, each accommodating 30 children, but these sold out within an hour. Due to high demand, three additional sessions were added on June 6.

The camp’s reception has been polarized. While some parents expressed enthusiasm, others were more skeptical. Comments ranged from enthusiastic support to sharp criticism. One user quipped, “Yay!! Child labor!!” Another questioned the qualifications of the camp staff, asking, “This is super weird are these people trained in child care?” Concerns about the potential for exploiting children were echoed in comments like, “Teach ’em nice and early how to be corporate wage slaves.”

However, there were also positive reactions. A supportive commenter stated, “Kudos to you, Chick-Fil-A Hammond. It’s good to watch an offer to teach young kids about work ethic and responsibility, while having a little fun at the same time.” Another parent shared their excitement after registering their child, saying, “Sent! Can’t wait!!”

Despite the mixed feedback, some individuals took their concerns a step further by tagging the U.S. Department of Labor’s Facebook page. One user criticized the current state of capitalism, suggesting that if a different fast-food chain had offered a similar program, it might not receive the same positive reception. Another commenter lamented, “Making kids learn fast food instead of engaging in more enriching activities is disgusting,” comparing the situation to the dystopian themes of the movie Idiocracy.

Chick-fil-A declined to comment on the controversy and specifics of the program. However, representatives clarified that campers would not be performing tasks typical of team members, such as taking and bagging orders. Instead, employees acting as counselors would focus solely on camp activities.

This isn’t Chick-fil-A’s first foray into summer camps. A Chick-fil-A in the Houston area has been running a similar program for six years, featuring activities like bingo and trivia. Although the Houston camp also sold out quickly, Chick-fil-A’s national representatives emphasized that these camps are not designed to generate profit. They are locally conceived and organized by franchise owners to engage with their communities.

Despite these reassurances, some commenters remained concerned about potential violations of child labor laws. This issue has gained attention due to instances of underage workers in the fast-food industry. For example, in 2023, over 300 children, including two 10-year-olds, were found working at McDonald’s restaurants in violation of federal labor laws. The Department of Labor discovered that children were involved in tasks such as working drive-throughs and preparing food orders across several states.

Overall, while Chick-fil-A’s summer camp initiative aims to provide a fun and educational experience for children, it has also highlighted ongoing debates about child labor and corporate practices.