Chick-fil-A has been under fire ever since the fast-food chain's president Dan Cathy told a religious newspaper that he supports "the biblical definition of the family unit" and that those who support gay marriage are "arrogant." Today (Wednesday) thousands of people came out to support the restaurant as it weathers the storm caused by Cathy's remarks.

The call for support was initiated by former presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum, who urged those against gay marriage to visit the restaurant on what they called "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day."

Protesters also turned up at some locations and the mayors of Chicago and Boston have previously said they don't want Chick-fil-A's in their cities. On Friday, the controversy will heat up again when same-sex couples across the U.S. plan a kiss-in at the restaurants.