After the Aug. 1 Chick-fil-A "Appreciation Day," the fried chicken chain reported record sales. The day was organized by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee after gay rights groups called for boycotts when Chick-fil-A's president spoke in support of traditional marriage.

"While we don't release exact sales numbers, we can confirm reports that it was a record-setting day," said Chick-fil-A's Executive Vice President of Marketing Steve Robinson.

Sales in a Chick-fil-A in Augusta, Georgia improved as people waited hours in line to show support. The increase of customers led the Augusta store to turn people away and closed two hours early due to low supplies.

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

"People are voting with their feet today," said Huckabee. "I guess you could also say they are voting with their faces, they are stuffing them with chicken sandwiches, those lovely Chicken sandwiches from Chick-fil-A."

The controversy started when the fried chicken service's president, Dan Cathy, said his restaurant opposes gay marriage, and supporters of same-sex marriage are "inviting God's judgment on our nation."

A gay Chick-fil-A worker named Andrew spoke to the Huffington Post, and asked his last name be anonymous due to fears he could get fired. He stated the "Appreciation Day" was "very, very depressing."

He added, "I call it hate appreciation day."

Equality Matters, an investigative gay and lesbian organization, obtained Chick-fil-A's 2011 tax and showed the chicken chain

donating nearly $2 million to the WinShape Foundation, an anti-gay organizations in 2010, among other donations throughout the years.

Despite the good sales, Robinson does note that the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day "was not created by Chick-fil-A."

Cathy was seen at the Fayettville, Georgia Chick-fil-A greeting customers and thanking them for their support.

(Photo : Latinos Post)
Houston - Customers and supporters wait in line to order at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. August 1, 2012