Chick-fil-A, a popular fast-food restaurant known for its chicken sandwiches and world-class customer service, might be forced to violate one of its most cherished principles due to a New York bill being considered in the state legislature.

New York state lawmakers have introduced a measure that would require restaurants operating at state Thruway service plazas to remain open seven days per week. Chick-fil-A, which was founded by Christians, has traditionally closed on Sundays in observance of the Sabbath.

However, the new bill would put this to an end. The proposal would amend an already existing law and require restaurants to provide services “every day of the week.”

The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 390 to read as follows: 

Contracts for food service. Any contracts entered into for the operation of food services or food concessions at public  transportation facilities owned or operated by the authority shall require that such services be provided every day of the week. For the purposes of this section the term "public transportation facilities" shall mean and include thruway rest areas, service areas and welcome centers. The provisions of this section shall not apply to temporary concessions or events including farmers' markets, flea markets or local vendors licensed or permitted to operate by the authority.

Those supporting the bill argue that it would maximize the use of public service areas and provide consistent service to travelers each day. In the text of the bill, the lawmakers make the following argument:

While there is nothing objectionable about a fast food restaurant closing on a particular day of the week, service areas dedicated to travelers is an inappropriate location for such a restaurant. Publicly owned service areas should use their space to maximally benefit the public. Allowing for retail space to go unused one seventh of the week or more is a disservice and unnecessary inconvenience to travelers who rely on these service areas.

Nevertheless, this type of measure reeks of government overreach. The notion that the state should possess the authority to dictate when a business chooses to conduct its operations is absurd. Chick-fil-A’s decision to remain closed on Sundays is a reflection of the company’s foundational values. Mandating this type of operational change is not only an infringement on business autonomy, it could also be an encroachment on cultural and possibly religious expressions of a private entity.

Moreover, there are plenty of other restaurants in the area where people can grab a quick meal. This bill is just another way for the state to assert control over the populace.

Of course, we would be remiss to ignore the greed factor. If Chick-fil-A is open an extra day of the week, that means it is serving more customers who are paying taxes each time they buy a chicken sandwich and waffle fries. The only one who truly benefits from such a move is the state government, which is likely the primary reason why these lawmakers are making this proposal in the first place.