Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day Draws Massive Crowds

Chick-fil-A may be the target of a massive backlash shitstorm over CEO Dan Cathy's anti-gay marriage comments, but you wouldn't know it from the hordes of people lined up outside of them today. After politics person Mike Huckabee called for a Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, many opponents of same-sex marriage are flocking to the fried chicken chain to show their support.

600,000 people said on Facebook they'd attend the Appreciation Day. Drive-thrus are clogged. A seminary in Fort Worth bought sandwiches for the entire school. Some employees say it's as busy as a "first day" at the chain, which is known for having huge turnouts when a new location opens. On Twitter, people report "mile-long traffic" and "[crowds] so big I gave up." Hundreds of people are lined up outside of restaurants in Alabama, Indiana, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, and more.

Of course, there has been backlash from the gay rights side of things: CNN reports counter-protests have been organized to encourage people to "donate the approximate cost of a Chick-fil-A meal, about $6.50 to gay and lesbian rights groups." Further complicating the issue, New Hampshire's only Chick-fil-A location has announced it will be a sponsor of New Hampshire LGBT Pride Fest 2012. And of course, there's a Same-Sex Kiss Day planned in protest against Chick-fil-Ascheduled for Friday.

Below, some local reports from Chick-fil-As across the country.

Video: Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day Brings Business

Video: Chick-fil-A's Stance on Same-Sex Marriage Faces Test

Video: Chick-fil-A Supporters Crowd Cape Coral, Fort Myers Locations

· Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day Brings Business [Fox Carolina]
· Chick-fil-A's Stance on Same-Sex Marriage Faces Test [CNN]
· Chick-fil-A Supporters Crowd Cape Coral, Fort Myers Locations [News-Press]
· All Chick-fil-A Coverage on Eater [-E-]