Cherokee County residents turned out in droves Wednesday to show their support for Chick-fil-A in the wake of criticism of comments made by company president Dan Cathy backing “the biblical definition of a family.”

One supporter, Judy Griffin of Woodstock, said she visited the Woodstock Dwarf House for dinner after former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, also a Baptist minister, dubbed Wednesday “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.”

“I am so proud of Chick-fil-A for standing up in the cultural war in this country and supporting the silent majority who support traditional values,” Griffin said on Thursday.

Kevin Williams, owner of the two Chick-fil-A restaurant franchises in Canton said Wednesday marked a record day for his locations, one at Canton Marketplace and the other on Riverstone Parkway.

“I am very grateful and humbled by the incredible turnout by our loyal customers yesterday at both our Canton restaurants. Our goal was to serve each and every customer with genuine hospitality,” Williams said.

Williams stressed that “we have no agenda here in Canton, Ga.”

“Let me just say we certainly understand everyone has different opinions. Our mission is about serving great food with humor, dignity and respect.”

In protest of the comments, opponents of Cathy’s stance are promoting “Kiss Mor Chiks” for today, asking people of the same sex to show up at Chick-fil-A locations and exchange a kiss.

Williams said his locations welcome all customers.

“I understand from news reports that Friday may present yet another opportunity for us to carry out our goal of serving great food, providing genuine hospitality and having a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A Canton,” Williams said when asked about the possible protest.

As for Wednesday’s crowds, Williams said he was still restocking his stores on Thursday after what was the largest volume of business done in the 16 years he has been open locally.

“Our team honestly did such an amazing job, they really rallied, and worked from open to close,” Williams said.

At Riverstone traffic was backed up some of the day to Interstate 575, he said, and lines around the Canton Marketplace location were wrapped around the store two times.

Both did about the same sells, both were off the charts records, he said.

“I cannot be more thankful to our customers, they were patient, kind, and I did not hear one negative thing all day. Some customers took 30 to 45 minutes to get to order. People were paying for other people’s food,” Williams said.

Woodstock First Baptist pastor Johnny Hunt was among those having dinner at the Woodstock restaurant following church services Wednesday night, Griffin said.

“It was great, there were double lines all around the parking lot,’ Griffin said. “By 11 a.m. Wednesday morning Highway 92 was bumper to bumper all the way to 575. The Dwarf House was so crowded after Wednesday night church and there were thumbs up for the restaurant from so many.”

Griffin praised Chick-fil-A for its policy of being closed on Sundays so employees can worship and rest.

Williams said founder Truett Cathy’s policies, including that all restaurants are closed on Sunday and having a debt-free business, are positives of the company.

“Lots of people left us kind notes, thanking us for being who we are,” Williams said.