What started as a remark to a reporter at a Christian publication erupted into a nationwide controversy which has now led to Chick-Fil-A restaurants packed with customers showing their support.

Georgetown County’s only Chick- Fil-A restaurant is located in Murrells Inlet and all day there has been a steady stream of customers in the building and the drive-through.

Most were there to show support for Chick-Fil -A President Dan Cathy who told an online Christian newspaper that he supports "the biblical definition of the family unit" and that supporters of gay marriage were "arrogant."

After backlash — fueled by social media — former Arkansas governor and Fox New commentator Mike Huckabee called for Aug. 1 to be Chick-Fil-A appreciation day.

Chick-Fil-A, in a statement released by Executive Vice President of Marketing Steve Robinson, stresses the company had nothing to do with the orchestrating or promotion of the event.

"Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was not created by Chick-fil-A. We appreciate all of our customers and are glad to serve them at any time,” Robinson states.

.Regular Chick-Fil-A customer Jim Dallery, a minister from Knoxville, Tennessee, was at the Murrells Inlet restaurant Wednesday morning.

“It’s absurd in this country that if a company takes a stand for values they are ostracized for it,” he said.

Sam and Mary Skinner of Myrtle Beach were enjoying a Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich — something they do quite often.

“You should be able to speak what you think in this society,” Mr. Skinner said. “It’s a shame some people want to cause trouble all the time.”

Tracy Jones, on the Georgetown Times Facebook page, takes a different view.

“I can't help but wonder how many of these free speech protectors would be lined up to support a company that came out in support of gay marriage..?” she asked.

Read more in Friday’s Georgetown Times.