Chick-fil-a locations in Orlando open on rare Sunday to give food to first responders and blood donors

The fast food chain is customarily closed Sundays

Chick-fil-A of University Blvd at Rouse Road/Facebook

A number of Chick-fil-a locations in Orlando defied one of the fast food chain’s customary rules and remained open on Sunday after the tragic shooting at the LGBT nightclub, Pulse.

It still remains unclear how many locations of the Atlanta-based chicken chain stayed open to feed first responders the aftermath of the shooting that claimed 49 lives.

“We are appalled by the senseless crime that was committed this weekend, but we are part of a community that stands strong and stands together!” one area Chick-fil-a location wrote in a statement on its Facebook page.

The statement said that they donated orange juice and the company’s signature breakfast item, the chicken biscuit, to first responders, police, and firefighters.

A separate location in the Lee Vista neighbourhood opened up on its day off to give food to the scores of people waiting in line to donate blood.

“We love our city and love the people in our community,” they said.

Chick-fil-a was the focus of some controversy following CEO Dan Cathy’s opposition to same-sex marriage, as well as the company’s contribution of at least $5m to anti-gay organisations, according to Equality Matters.

Mr Cathy sparked national outrage after saying the company supports “traditional marriage”.

He later walked back those remarks, saying, “I’m going to leave it to politicians and others to discuss social issues."