A statement from Chick-fil-A is appended.

Judging by social media buzz, Wednesday’s Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was a success.

Twitter users churned out countless tweets expressing their support for the fast-food chain and shared pictures of packed Chick-fil-A locations. In fact, around mid-afternoon on Wednesday, there were more than 50,000 Chick-fil-A images shared on Instagram.

“Standing in line at #ChickFilA to show my support,” said one Twitter user. “HUGE turnout! Nice to see people care ...”

Another supporter tweeted: "#chickfila across the country! This is going crazy. So cool to see people standing up for what they believe." And shared this Instagram shot:



Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day started as a Facebook campaign to support the fast feeder, which drew flak—and a boycott—when last month its president expressed support for traditional marriage.

“Guilty as charged,” Don Cathy told the Baptist Press when asked about his position on the topic. “We are very much supportive of the family—the Biblical definition of the family unit.”

He added: “I think we’re inviting God’s judgment on our nation.”

The comments immediately ignited a backlash on social media that soon spread to city halls in some of America’s largest cities as leaders in Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco moved to block Chick-fil-A from opening locations in their cities.

Last Friday, the broiling public relations disaster turned tragic when Chick-fil-A’s longtime spokesperson Donald Perry died suddenly of a heart attack.

Mike Huckabee, a leading conservative voice, launched the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day effort on Facebook. More than 600,000 people said they planned to visit one of the restaurant’s locations on Wednesday. According to media reports, thousands have turned out to show their support so far; however, one Chick-fil-A in West Virginia had to close after someone phoned in a bomb threat.

UPDATE: On Thursday, Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A's executive vice president of marketing, issued this statement about Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day:

“We are very grateful and humbled by the incredible turnout of loyal Chick-fil-A customers on August 1 at Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country. Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was not a company promotion; it was initiated by others.

“We congratulate local Chick-fil-A Owner/Operators and their team members for striving to serve each and every customer with genuine hospitality.

“While we don’t release exact sales numbers, it was an unprecedented day.

“The Chick-fil-A culture and 66-year-old service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender.

“Our goal is simple: to serve great food, provide genuine hospitality and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.

(Image via)