Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy says the company remains committed to glorifying God and defending its longstanding Sunday closure policy while addressing its history surrounding same-sex marriage.

In a recent interview on NBC’s “Today” show, Cathy discussed the Christian beliefs that still shape the company nearly eight decades after its founding.

“It was a company that was built on God, if you will, and that still seems to be very much a part of the DNA of Chick-fil-A,” Cathy said. “It is our anchor, in the sense of what our corporate purpose states, that we’re in business to be a glorifier of God.”

Cathy, who became CEO in 2021, is the third generation of his family to lead the company. His grandfather, Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, established the Sunday closure policy when he opened his first restaurant in the Atlanta area in the 1940s.

According to Andrew Cathy, the decision was rooted in both faith and a desire to give employees time away from work.

“They wanted to have a chance to take a break, go to church, and for others just to take some rest,” he explained.

Nearly eight decades later, Chick-fil-A has maintained that commitment, keeping its restaurants closed every Sunday despite the potential for additional sales.

The interview also turned to one of the company’s most controversial chapters.

In 2012, Cathy’s father, former CEO Dan Cathy, publicly expressed his support for traditional marriage, sparking a national debate over the company’s position on same-sex relationships.

The controversy intensified after reports revealed that Chick-fil-A had donated millions of dollars to Christian organizations whose positions on marriage and sexuality conflicted with those of LGBT advocacy groups.

The remarks and donations prompted protests and boycotts, while supporters of the company organized their own demonstrations of support. Dan Cathy later expressed regret over the company’s role in the public debate, although he did not change his personal beliefs about marriage.

Asked what he would say to people who had boycotted Chick-fil-A over the controversy, Andrew Cathy emphasized the company’s commitment to welcoming customers.

“Everybody that’s willing to walk in the door, they’re welcome to come eat with us,” he said. “We would love to give them a great-tasting sandwich and great hospitality.”

When pressed about Chick-fil-A’s current position on LGBT issues, Cathy did not offer a direct answer.

“We’re focused on hospitality,” he responded. “Serving great-tasting food.”

His response drew mixed reactions. Former “Today” anchor Katie Couric criticized it as a “non-answer answer,” while conservative media watchdog NewsBusters characterized the interview as an “ambush.”

Despite the controversy, Chick-fil-A continued to grow, with annual sales increasing from approximately $4.6 billion in 2012 to nearly $11 billion in 2019.

Cathy has also emphasized the importance of maintaining a personal touch as technology changes the restaurant industry.

In a separate CNBC interview, he described the company’s approach to artificial intelligence as “human plus,” suggesting technology should support employees rather than simply replace them.

For Cathy, the message is that Chick-fil-A can continue to embrace innovation and welcome customers from all backgrounds while holding on to the faith-based principles that have shaped the business for generations.