Controversial fast-food chain Chick Fil A closes Scots outlet

A controversial fast-food chain has closed its only Scottish outlet just months after it opened to a flurry of criticism.

US fried chicken franchise Chick Fil A launched its first Scottish restaurant at Aviemore’s MacDonald Resort at the end of 2019.

But the move was met with fierce opposition after it was revealed that the chain’s owners had donated millions to anti-LGBT groups in the States.

This brought the attention of protest groups who have been working to organise boycotts of the chain anywhere they appear.

An online petition gained over 1,000 signatures from people calling for the Aviemore restaurant to be shut down.

MacDonald Hotels announced the closure on their website, saying “Our pop-up restaurant Chick-fil-A is closing on Saturday, January 18.”

Responding to the news Chick Fil A say they had always planned a short term stay at the location and they are still looking for a permanent residence in the UK.

A spokesperson for Chick-fil-A, Inc said: “The Chick-fil-A at Macdonald Aviemore Resort officially closed its doors on January 18, in line with our plan for a temporary pilot licensed location.

“It has been our pleasure to serve guests at this pilot restaurant for the past several months, and we are grateful to Macdonald Hotels for allowing us the opportunity to learn from each and every customer.

“These insights will help us immensely as we look to having a permanent location in the UK in the future.“

The global backlash against the chain began in 2017 when they donated over $1.8m to organisations such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which opposed same-sex marriage and requires staff to accept “sexual purity”.

However, the company have always defended the move and insisted they do not donate to support conversion therapy and highlighted that the company’s foundation gave $9.9m in donations to communities across America in 2017.

They stated that its charity foundation “has always focused on youth and education” and has “never donated with the purpose of supporting a social or political agenda”.