Story perspectives

EEOC Sues Austin Chick-fil-A Franchise Over Sabbath Refusal

5/16/2026

Summary

EEOC Sues

EEOC sued Hatch Trick Inc., Austin Chick-fil-A franchise, for Title VII violation after refusing a Saturday-Sabbath request.
The manager disclosed her Sabbath in August 2023, received approval, and after the franchise forced Saturday work in February 2024, rejected its alternatives and declined a lower-pay driver role.
After she refused the demotion, the franchise fired her, prompting the EEOC to file the suit in U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, Austin Division.

Summary

Chick-fil-A Deflects

Chick-fil-A corporate said employment decisions rest with individual franchise owners and that it will distance the brand from alleged discrimination by blaming franchisees.
The company noted its long-standing practice of closing all locations on Sundays, citing its religious heritage.
Hatch Trick Inc., the Austin franchise operator, is named in a complaint from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that cites the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requiring reasonable religious accommodations.

Summary

EEOC Tightens

The EEOC will use the 2023 Groff v. DeJoy “undue hardship” test, which demands employers show a “substantial increased cost” rather than merely a “more than minimal” cost.
Chick-fil-A’s Sunday-closing policy, created by founder S. Truett Cathy in 1946, causes a “significant revenue” loss each year, which the chain accepts.
Jeff Glover rejected Torode’s scheduling alternatives.
Torode told directors Faye Campbell and Jeremy Jenkins of her Sabbath, prompting a lawsuit.

History

Historical Context

On June 1 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch, holding that a job applicant need not request a religious accommodation to be protected under Title VII, after Samantha Elauf was denied a sales job for wearing a hijab in 2008. That precedent guides the current EEOC suit against Hatch Trick Inc., which alleges a Chick-fil-A franchise refused a Saturday-Sabbath accommodation.

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EEOC Sues

EEOC sued Hatch Trick Inc., Austin Chick-fil-A franchise, for Title VII violation after refusing a Saturday-Sabbath request.
The manager disclosed her Sabbath in August 2023, received approval, and after the franchise forced Saturday work in February 2024, rejected its alternatives and declined a lower-pay driver role.
After she refused the demotion, the franchise fired her, prompting the EEOC to file the suit in U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, Austin Division.

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