Adding controversy to the menu does not seem to have hurt Chick-fil-A.
The restaurant chain had a "record-setting day" on Wednesday, it said, as customers descended on its 1,600 locations across the United States in support of its president's stance against gay marriage.
The one-day blowout came after Republican ex-presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum called for supporters to send a message about "traditional values" by eating at the chain, known for its chicken sandwiches and waffle fries and for being closed on Sundays.
Company president Dan Cathy has said that he supports "the biblical definition of the family unit" and that backers of gay marriage were "arrogant."
"While we don't release exact sales numbers, we can confirm reports that it was a record-setting day," executive vice-president of marketing Steve Robinson said in a statement on Thursday.
"Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was not a company promotion, it was initiated by others," he said.
Supporters of gay marriage have pushed for a boycott of the chain and are seeking to block new Chick-fil-A outlets from opening.
The mayors of Chicago and Boston have criticized the company, and same-sex couples around the country plan a kiss-in at Chick-fil-A restaurants on Friday.
Chick-fil-A said it was unconcerned. "We understand from news reports that Friday may present yet another opportunity for us to serve with genuine hospitality, superior service and great food," Robinson said.
