San Antonio bans Chick-fil-A from airport
SAN ANTONIO (WOAI) - A San Antonio councilman made a motion Thursday to ban Chick-fil-A from the airport.
District 1 City Councilman Roberto Treviño made a motion Thursday to approve the Food, Beverage and Retail Prime Concession Agreement with Paradies Lagardère at the San Antonio International Airport, but that the agreement exclude Chick-fil-A.
“With this decision, the City Council reaffirmed the work our city has done to become a champion of equality and inclusion," Treviño said. "San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior."
Chick-fil-A came in the spotlight Wednesday after ThinkProgress released a report saying Chick-fil-A donated $1.8 million to groups that discriminate against the LGBTQ community.
Related Story: Chick-fil-A donated nearly $2 million to anti-LGBTQ groups in 2017, report states
"Everyone has a place here, and everyone should feel welcome when they walk through our airport," Treviño said. "I look forward to the announcement of a suitable replacement by Paradies.”
"This is the first we’ve heard of this. It’s disappointing," Chick-fil-A said in a statement. "We would have liked to have had a dialogue with the city council before this decision was made. We agree with Councilmember Treviño that everyone is and should feel welcome at Chick-fil-A. We plan to reach out to the city council to gain a better understanding of this decision."
The City approved the Food, Beverage and Retail Prime Concession Agreement with Paradies Lagardere at the San Antonio International Airport which brings flavors of San Antonio to the Airport's terminal A.
Passengers at the airport will be able to enjoy food from concepts such as The Luxury, Smoke Shack BBQ and Southern Kitchen, Boss Wood Fired Bagels & Coffee, Sip Brew Bar and Market, Local Coffee, the Spurs Store and iStore/Adina’s Market and one more that will be decided later.
“The more than 34 million tourists who visit San Antonio annually already know about San Antonio’s unique ambiance, history and culture,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “Giving them an opportunity to taste some of our city’s finest local culinary delights at the airport will enhance the city’s appeal encouraging further exploration and longer stays.”
The City of San Antonio Aviation Department said in a press release that the agreement is a 7-year contract and will generate at least $2.1 million each year for the San Antonio Airport System.
See the agreement below.
