BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — If you're hungry along the New York State Thruway on Sundays, Chick-fil-A is not an option, but some lawmakers in Albany are saying open up.
A bill introduced this week would require restaurants at rest stops be open every day of the week so travelers can count on a meal when they stop by.
There are seven Chick-fil-A restaurants at recently renovated service areas across the state.
The fast food chain is known for this, it's a practice their founder started decades ago so that employees can spend the day resting or worshiping if they choose.
The legislation says allowing for a 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.
A spokesperson for the NYS Thruway released the following statement:
“The Thruway’s 27 service areas provide safe locations to pull off the highway, refuel/recharge a vehicle, take a break from driving and grab a bite to eat. As part of the new 33-year contract to manage these facilities, Applegreen is required to have at least one hot and cold food option available 24 hours a day at all locations. Chick-fil-A’s Sunday closure is a brand requirement which Applegreen factored into their tenant plan. When the project is complete, Chick-fil-A will operate in less than half of the service areas on the Thruway – all of which have at least one other food concept and a convenience store open seven days a week with up to three additional concepts and a convenience store at the largest and highest volume locations.”
