Do you try to patronize mainly "Christian-owned" businesses (service, testimony)

[aiangel_writer]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

See I think Chic-fil-a is a fantastic example. It's the ONLY fast food place I know of that has the consistent crowds you see there. Being closed on Sundays and there Christian basis isn't hurting them AT ALL.....actually....with you as the exception, they appear to be rather blessed....

I must say that I admire them for doing this. They are unafraid to let the world know that they are Christian, yet, they do not do this to gain business, I take it as a simple statement of faith.

When I had my store, I would not open on Sunday. Many people wanted me to, but I refused to. I did not do it to draw attention to myself, I did it because of who I am in Christ. It was a personal decision between me and God, and a way of me being respectful to Him and to show Him I loved Him.

I think that is why they do this. Out of respect and love for Him.

[dennismpat]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

See I think Chic-fil-a is a fantastic example. It's the ONLY fast food place I know of that has the consistent crowds you see there. Being closed on Sundays and there Christian basis isn't hurting them AT ALL.....actually....with you as the exception, they appear to be rather blessed....

I wholeheartedly agree! There's a fairly new Chick Fil-A restaurant that opened up near me and they consistently get good-sized crowds eating there all the time. The fact that they're closed on Sundays, as you said, hasn't hurt them at all. By the way, doesn't this chicken sandwich look good?



I also LOVE their chicken nuggets.



Maybe I shouldn't have put those pictures there, because I'm hungry now and it's Sunday, meaning Chick Fil-A is closed.

[stargazer]

I love Chik-Fila. My husband and I were talking once and were wondering if they were owner franchised. We actually agreed we would love owning one.

[Alpha8207]

They are a franchise, and I had a friend that looked into one. They were told that if they were doing to make money, they should do something else. Chic-fil-a wanted folks who were wanting to make an impact in their communities. They said that out of like 250,000 franchise request per year, they grant like 250.(I'm pretty sure I'm remembering those numbers correctly.) It was an amazing number and they really only want totally sold-out Christians to run them.

In my experience, all of the owners are very committed to Christ. In one recent trip we took with our youth to Spartanburg, SC, the chic-fil-a owner down there was absolutely jumping through hoops to try and help me. When I complemented him on his service, he said "Look, what you are doing for the kids isn't easy and your working hard to get them where they can be reached for the Lord. All I want to do is try and assist you when you get here with them."

It was quite impressive.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by dennismpat

I wholeheartedly agree! There's a fairly new Chick Fil-A restaurant that opened up near me and they consistently get good-sized crowds eating there all the time. The fact that they're closed on Sundays, as you said, hasn't hurt them at all. By the way, doesn't this chicken sandwich look good?



I also LOVE their chicken nuggets.

Maybe I shouldn't have put those pictures there, because I'm hungry now and it's Sunday, meaning Chick Fil-A is closed.

Nope. I can't stomach deep-fried chicken. That stuff will kill you before your time (even if it is cooked in non trans-fatty oil).

As far as the Purpose Driven Life goes jeffncandace, I too never got past the 1st or 2nd chapter. I'll have to see if I can find it in our book boxes in the basement to jog my memory. I expected it to be just your typical self help/personal cheerleading kind of drivel like the Zig Ziglar and Covey stuff. Little did I know it was a "40 days to become an evangelist". Like the "South Beach Diet for your soul". Doesn't it delve even into topics of what are appropriate kinds of music for worship services?

What really bugged me too was that it was handed out at a company function (off hours albeit).

Alpha, it's a good thing you give that book out to everyone. If you were selectively giving them out to people based on your belief of what religious leanings they had, I think you'd be setting yourself up for violating the Federal Fair Housing Act. It'd be akin to giving different closing gifts to white and black people.

Also, why not give out the book at your first appointment? Why at closing, where people then don't have a choice as to use your services or not? I mean, if you're confident in your "stance", why wait until the end of the transaction? Just give it at the first appointment, saying "this is my philosophy on life and business".

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by magellan

Alpha, it's a good thing you give that book out to everyone. If you were selectively giving them out to people based on your belief of what religious leanings they had, I think you'd be setting yourself up for violating the Federal Fair Housing Act. It'd be akin to giving different closing gifts to white and black people.

??? OK. Well, I do give to everyone, who rest easy tonight, I shouldn't have a lawsuit headed my way over this. Also, I don't usually give them at more commercial type closings. Usually just single-family residential closings. My large land deals and commercial leases/sales I don't give any gifts. I think it's kinda unprofessional to give gifts, but it's standard practice in the residential business. So I do.

Originally Posted by magellan

Also, why not give out the book at your first appointment? Why at closing, where people then don't have a choice as to use your services or not? I mean, if you're confident in your "stance", why wait until the end of the transaction? Just give it at the first appointment, saying "this is my philosophy on life and business".

They don't know me then. They have no idea my integrity, my work ethic, who I am, ow I operate but, more importantly, a closing gift isn't a closing gift until there's a closing.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

??? OK. Well, I do give to everyone, who rest easy tonight, I shouldn't have a lawsuit headed my way over this. Also, I don't usually give them at more commercial type closings. Usually just single-family residential closings. My large land deals and commercial leases/sales I don't give any gifts. I think it's kinda unprofessional to give gifts, but it's standard practice in the residential business. So I so.

They don't know me then. They have no idea my integrity, my work ethic, who I am, ow I operate but, more importantly, a closing gift isn't a closing gift until there's a closing.

I am talking about residential closings, not commercial. Federal Fair Housing laws apply across the board. Say for instance, you gave the book to people you thought might be receptive to it, and not to other people who you wouldn't think would be receptive, that would be illegally discriminating based on religion. It's just an FYI. Take it or leave it. I just think you're walking a fine line by giving out "religious gifts" as closing gifts.

As far as closing gifts, that's my point. Don't give it as a "closing gift". If you would really like people to read the book and possibly have a life-altering experience from it, why not give it at the beginning of your work? You went into the argument with people in this thread that if they didn't like it, they could take their business elsewhere. No they can't, the transaction is over with.

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by magellan

You went into the argument with people in this thread that if they didn't like it, they could take their business elsewhere. No they can't, the transaction is over with.

You need to reread the thread magellan, I NEVER said they could take their business else where, others did. I, in fact, said exactly what you just said.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

You need to reread the thread magellan, I NEVER said they could take their business else where, others did. I, in fact, said exactly what you just said.

Ah, you're right. Other people (like Jeff ) were making that claim of "take your business elsewhere if you don't like it" on your behalf. My apologies. I was gone (away from the internet) for three days and was trying to read 10 pages of posts.

I do think it'd be more upfront and honest if you did something in the beginning. We met with a new financial adviser recently, and in his first appointment in his "shpeel" binder, he had several quotes that were not religious but were more spiritual. We appreciated that and did end up giving him the business, but moreso because he was a family man with kids our age and very knowledgeable. He never brought it up in the presentation and never gave us any kind of religious gift after we moved our stuff over to him.

And if you don't like my advice, kindly pass it back over or throw it in the trash.

[Hoosier]

I love Chik-fil-A and wish we had one here in Minnesota!! When we were in Califrornia in May I had my first experience with In n Out burgers!! Excellent food and on the bottom of the fry bags they have a scripture reference. The one we had was something in Revelation. If you're not looking for it then it's easy to miss.

As long as the food and service are good I will always patronize Christian owned businesses like these. If they're out there trying to make an impact then I will be out there helping however I can.