In what can only be described as an unfortunate throwback, Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy drew criticism this week after responding to a question about his company’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights with corporate platitudes.

Cathy ― who is the grandson of Chick-fil-A’s founder, S. Truett Cathy ― appeared on NBC’s “Today” Wednesday as part of the network’s “Business in America” series.

The conversation took an awkward turn when “Today” co-host Craig Melvin asked Cathy if his company’s much-scrutinized outlook on LGBTQ+ rights had evolved in recent years.

“For anybody that hasn’t tried us, we’d love for you to come try and have our great-tasting food and the hospitality that we’re known for,” Cathy responded. “I think that everybody that will be willing to walk in the door, they’ll see that they’re welcome to come eat with us. We’d love to give them a great-tasting sandwich and give them great hospitality.”

When Melvin pressed Cathy to clarify Chick-fil-A’s “official position on equal rights,” the CEO didn’t budge.

“We’re focused on hospitality, serving great-tasting food and great service,” he replied.

Cathy’s comments on Chick-Fil-A’s LGBTQ+ rights stance begin around the 2:10 mark below.

An isolated clip of Cathy’s remarks was posted to the official “Today” Instagram account early Wednesday, where it drew a flurry of scathing responses from many celebrities and prominent LGBTQ+ rights advocates.

“THIS AIN’T IT DUDE,” Bravo TV host Andy Cohen wrote. “you had a chance to win us all back and you blew it.”

“No thank you,” comedian Chelsea Handler added, while actor Valerie Bertinelli wrote: “I’ve never tried Chik and I’ve no plans to change that.”

Those who take into account Chick-fil-A’s history aren’t likely to be surprised by Cathy’s refusal to endorse equal rights. The fast food company was first hit with controversy in 2012 when former CEO Dan Cathy ― Cathy’s father ― confirmed his support of the “biblical definition of the family unit” in a pair of interviews.

“I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,’” he said at the time. “I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to try to redefine what marriage is about.”

Dan Cathy’s comments drew protests and boycotts, after which Chick-fil-A publicly pledged not to “have a political or social agenda.”

In a 2014 interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the elder Cathy said he regretted getting Chick-fil-A enmeshed in the debate over LGBTQ+ rights, but stopped short of walking back his initial remarks.

“I think the time of truths and principles are captured and codified in God’s word and I’m just personally committed to that,” he said. “I know others feel very different from that and I respect their opinion and I hope that they would be respectful of mine.”

In 2019, Chick-fil-A updated its charitable giving strategy to shift contributions away from organizations known to oppose LGBTQ+ rights, though GLAAD and other advocacy groups maintained their skepticism.

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