10/11/2026
A federal court has ruled in favor of a Christian company that wants to sell its franchises only to Christians.
The decision involving Christian Brothers Automotive is drawing attention to religious freedom and whether business owners can require franchise operators to share their faith.
Christian Brothers Automotive is a nationwide auto repair company that has built its reputation around Christian values, honesty, integrity, and serving others.
The company faced a legal challenge over its requirement that franchise owners be Christians.
But the federal appeals court sided with the company, ruling that the federal law at issue prohibits racial discrimination in contracts, not religious discrimination.
The decision does not mean every business can discriminate based on religion under every law. It addresses the specific federal statute involved in the case.
Still, the ruling represents a significant victory for the company’s position.
And it raises an important conversation about the role of faith in American businesses.
For many Christian entrepreneurs, their faith is not something they practice only on Sunday mornings.
It influences how they lead, how they serve customers, how they treat employees, and the principles they build their companies around.
The Bible makes it clear that following Christ should influence every part of our lives.
Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
That includes how we conduct business.
Christian business owners should be able to openly express their beliefs and operate according to biblical principles while respecting the laws that govern commerce.
But our greatest testimony will always be found in how we treat others.
A business can have Christian values written on its walls, but those values mean little if they are not demonstrated through its actions.
Faith should never be something we hide when we enter the workplace. It should be reflected in the integrity, honesty, and love we demonstrate every single day.
