Chick-Fil-A Franchisee Sued By Federal Government For Alleged Religious Discrimination

In a federal lawsuit, a Chick-fil-A franchisee, which operates multiple locations in Austin, Texas, is accused of violating federal law by “refusing to reasonably accommodate an employee’s request to refrain from working on Saturdays in observance of her Sabbath day and instead fired her.”

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the lawsuit against Hatch Trick, Inc.

The U.S. government is suing one of Chick-fil-A’s franchisees, alleging it denied an employee Saturdays off to observe her sabbath. https://t.co/7uolxSuWyY

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) May 15, 2026

More from the EEOC:

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, the employee, who managed Hatch Trick’s delivery drivers at one of its Austin locations, is a member of the United Church of God denomination, which observes a Saturday Sabbath. In adherence to her religious faith and practice, she requested no scheduled hours on Saturdays, and she disclosed the need during her job interview. Although Hatch Trick initially honored the employee’s