The Real Reason Chick-Fil-A Is Postponing Its Annual Cow Appreciation Day
Fried chicken fast food chain Chick-fil-A has announced that they will be postponing their annual Cow Appreciation Day due to concerns over COVID-19. In a statement provided to Today, the company said, "Cow Appreciation Day has been a valued tradition for Chick-fil-A since 2005, and it gives us the opportunity to thank our guests for their support of our brand." In normal years, Cow Appreciation Day features a day-long promotion where customers who show up to Chick-fil-A locations dressed up as cows (or in cow-themed clothing) are given free food. Business Insider states that the event is normally held in early July, and that in 2018, 2 million people participated in the Cow Appreciation Day festivities.
If you still want to participate in Cow Appreciation Day 2020 from home, Chick-fil-A has put together a Pinterest board filled with family-friendly activities. You can also check the Cow Appreciation Day page on the Chick-fil-A website for updates on when the event will be rescheduled.
Chick-fil-A has had to make a number of changes in order to keep staff and patrons safe during COVID-19
Delaying Cow Appreciation Day 2020 indefinitely is not the first change Chick-fil-A has had to make this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Business Insider states that in addition to postponing the yearly event, the company has also decided to add new handwashing stations for employees, install plexiglass shields, and end its practice of offering self-serve drinks and condiments in stores. According to Fox News, a recent increase in COVID-19 cases has caused many states to request restaurants to slow down or reverse any attempted plans for reopening. Chick-fil-A told USA Today that while 2020 has been a difficult year for the company, their decisions are made by putting the health and safety of their employees, patrons, and the communities they are a part of first and foremost.
If you're craving some waffle fries or a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, but you're concerned about the safety practices in place, you can check out the Safe Service page on the Chick-fil-A website for updates about how the chain is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. In it, they outline the steps they are taking to ensure both guests and staff remain safe, as well as how to order from Chick-fil-A without any contact at all.