On July 9th, Chick-fil-A’s across America will celebrate “Cow Appreciation Day.” In anticipation of this 14-year tradition, I had the opportunity to sit down with the Chick-fil-A Clemmons cow representative and learn more about this day, and what it means to represent the Chick-fil-A brand.
Denise: Thank you so much for meeting with me today!
Cow: No problem; I am happy to talk about anything that has to do with cow appreciation!
Denise: Before we get started, what name do you go by?
Cow: Actually, I don’t have one. The human tendency to name their children was never a trend that caught on in the bovine community. “Cow” will do just fine.”
Denise: Fair enough. Cow, how long have you been affiliated with Chick-fil-A?
Cow: Let’s see…. We started supporting Chick-fil-A in 1995. So it’s been a 24-year partnership at this point.
Denise: Wow, that’s a long time to encourage people to eat chicken!
Cow: Yes, we enjoy every minute of it.
Denise: You say, “We.” How many Chick-fil-A cows are there?
Cow: You know, it’s udderly impossible to say. There are a lot of us, and we have a variety of interests. At the end of the day, though, we’re all Holstein cows who simply want to encourage humans to “Eat mor chikin.”
Denise: I understand. It’s clear you are up for the job.
Cow: Well, after 24 years, it’s more like a mission.
Denise: Why is this mission important to you?
Cow: Do you really need me to explain why it’s more beneficial to cows if humans eat chicken?
Denise: I see your point. Let’s move on…. Let’s talk about Cow Appreciation Day.
Cow: That’s our favorite day of the year! The head bulls at the Chick-fil-A headquarters started Cow Appreciation Day in 2005. It’s really no cowincidence that the event was hugely popular from the start.
Denise: That’s amazing. What is involved with the celebration?
Cow: Humans are encouraged to embrace their inner-cows. They come dressed up as a cow between opening and 7 PM on Cow Appreciation Day, and Chick-fil-A gives them a free entrée.
Denise: How many people get free food?
Cow: You know, they herd in so fast, sometimes, it’s hard to keep count. Last year, I think close to two million cow-wannabes showed up and got free chicken.
Denise: That’s a lot of chicken! When is Cow Appreciation Day this year?
Cow: We celebrate on Tuesday, July 9th! It’s an unbelievabull day.
Denise: So what kind of costumes do people come in?
Cow: You know, you humans can be so creative. While some people may wear some cow ears and call themselves a cow, I’ve seen other humans really embrace the spirit of the cow. Either way—whether the costumes are simple or elaborate, it’s a mooving experience to see.
Denise: I understand you have a website to commemorate the event? I believe the address is www.CowAppreciationDay.com, is that right?
Cow: I’m told we have a website. Hooves are a little hard to type with, so I haven’t spent much time on the cowputer to see.
Denise: You mean the computer?
Cow: That’s what I said.
Denise: Is Cow Appreciation Day something that is celebrated at all Chick-fil-A restaurants?
Cow: Absolutely. It’s an event that we look forward to celebrating. It’s a chance for us to interact with humans, and that’s always something fun. To be honest, the night before Cow Appreciation Day, I can barely sleep when I hit the hay! It’s just so exciting!
Denise: Anything else you want to say to our readers?
Cow: I hope to see you on Cow Appreciation Day! And whatever you do, “Eat mor chikin!”
Cow Appreciation Day will be celebrated at all local Chick-fil-A locations on Tuesday, July 9th from opening to 7 PM. Dress like a cow to get a free entrée!