South Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia

Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country were packed Wednesday. In South Charleston, lines were out the door, around the parking lot and down the road. But it wasn't just to eat more chicken.

The hundreds of people showed up and waited in the long lines to support Chick-fil-A's President, Dan Cathy, who caused quite a beef after telling a Christian magazine that he supports the biblical definition of marriage, between one man and one woman.

Since the statement was made, there has been a nation wide uproar -- with people vowing to boycott the chain restaurant. But on Wednesday supporters showed up at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the nation, in a grass-roots effort prompted by Republican Mike Huckabee, for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day."

"They are trying to squelch every conservative value Americas have." Mike Bell of St. Albans says.

And while many agree with Cathy's beliefs on marriage, many say its about freedom of speech and religion. Politicians in Chicago and Boston have told the restaurant it wasn't welcomed after the comments.

"I think we have a freedom to believe what we believe without being punished or criticized or protested or whatever, I'm sure he (Cathy) and I wouldn't agree on all religious things but I do believe he has the right to speak," Carol Graley of St. Albans says.

But not everyone was at the fast food restaurant in support. A small group of woman from the Unitarian Universalist Church in Charleston showed up with a different message.

"I'm here because I was people to know that people of faith have other opinions than the ones that are being expressed here," Rev. Rose Edington says.

"Freedom of religion is one thing, but not willing to hire somebody because they are gay," Annette Zavareei says.

However, the company says they treat everyone the same, including those they hire.

"Our goal each day is to treat people with honor, dignity and respect and treat them all the same way," Tom Minturn, the owner of the Chick-fil-A in South Charleston says. Minturn says the controversy has actually helped business.

The Company's Executive Vice President of Marketing, Steve Robinson, released this statement.

"Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was not created by Chick-fil-A. We appreciate all of our customers and are glad to serve them at any time. Our goal is simple: to provide great food, genuine hospitality and to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-A is a family-owned and family-led company serving the communities in which it operates. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business. For example, we believe that closing on Sundays, operating debt-free and devoting a percentage of our profits back to our communities are what make us a stronger company and Chick-fil-A family. The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect -regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 Restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena. Our mission is simple: to serve great food, provide genuine hospitality and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."

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