A group of New York lawmakers introduced a bill last week that would require restaurants operating in a travel plaza along the state’s Thruway system to be open seven days a week. This would impact nine Chick-fil-A restaurants that currently operate in such plazas along Interstate 90 in New York. Chick-fil-A is famously closed on Sundays and has been since its founding.
The bill came about as the New York State Thruway Authority’s Service Area Redesign and Redevelopment Project rebuilds the 27 service areas on the Thruway through a public-private partnership.
“The travelling public and commercial trucking industry rely on these service areas to rest, refuel and to purchase food and beverages,” the bill notes. “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 travers who rely on these service areas.”
The bill adds that all future contracts will require food concessions to operate seven days a week. Its sponsor is Assemblymember Tony Simone, and there are three co-sponsors to date. The legislation must pass both houses of the legislature before heading to the governor’s desk for a signature or veto.
Nation’s Restaurant News has reached out to Chick-fil-A for comment.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
