Chick-fil-A Frequently Asked Questions

Chick-fil-A offers a variety of chicken-focused menu items including:

• Chicken Sandwiches: Original, Spicy, Grilled, and Deluxe varieties
• Chicken Nuggets: Classic and Grilled options in various counts
• Chicken Strips: Breaded chicken strips with dipping sauces
• Salads: Market Salad, Cobb Salad, and Southwest Salad
• Breakfast: Chicken Biscuits, Egg White Grill, Hash Browns
• Sides: Waffle Potato Fries, Mac & Cheese, Fruit Cup, Side Salad
• Desserts: Milkshakes, Ice Dream, Cookies, Brownies
• Beverages: Freshly-brewed Iced Tea, Lemonade, Frosted beverages

The Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich is their signature and most popular item. It features:

• A pressure-cooked chicken breast filet
• Two pickle chips
• Toasted buttered bun
• No mayonnaise (added upon request)

The sandwich is known for its simple yet delicious preparation and has maintained its popularity since the chain's founding. The Spicy Chicken Sandwich is also extremely popular among those who prefer more heat.

Yes, Chick-fil-A serves breakfast at most locations! Their breakfast menu includes:

• Chicken Biscuit and Spicy Chicken Biscuit
• Egg White Grill - a healthier option
• Chick-n-Minis - chicken nuggets on yeast rolls
• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit and Bagel
• Hash Browns - crispy shredded potato rounds
• Yogurt Parfait and Fruit Cup

Breakfast is typically served from 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM, though hours may vary by location.

Chick-fil-A combo meals typically include:

• Main Item: Chicken sandwich, nuggets (8 or 12 count), or strips
• Side Item: Waffle Potato Fries, Fruit Cup, Mac & Cheese, or Side Salad
• Drink: Medium fountain beverage, iced tea, or lemonade

Some popular combo options:

• Chicken Sandwich Meal: Sandwich, medium fries, medium drink
• Nuggets Meal: 8 or 12-count nuggets, side, drink
• Strip Meal: 3 or 4-count strips, side, drink
• Salad Meal: Entrée salad, drink (sometimes includes side)

Chick-fil-A has limited vegetarian options as they primarily specialize in chicken. Vegetarian-friendly items include:

• Waffle Potato Fries (cooked in separate fryer)
• Fruit Cup
• Side Salad (without chicken)
• Greek Yogurt Parfait
• Hash Browns (breakfast only)
• Mac & Cheese (contains dairy)
• Applesauce
• Various sauces and dressings

Note: While some items don't contain meat, cross-contamination is possible in preparation areas. The Waffle Potato Fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer, making them a popular vegetarian choice.

Chick-fil-A offers a variety of signature sauces including:

• Chick-fil-A Sauce: Their most popular - honey mustard, barbecue, and ranch flavors combined
• Polynesian Sauce: Sweet and tangy with fruit flavors
• Garden Herb Ranch Sauce: Creamy ranch with herbs
• Zesty Buffalo Sauce: Medium-spicy buffalo flavor
• Barbecue Sauce: Sweet and smoky traditional BBQ
• Honey Mustard Sauce: Sweet honey and tangy mustard blend
• Sriracha Sauce: Spicy with garlic notes
• Mayonnaise and Ketchup also available

Sauces are typically served in 1-ounce containers and most are available for purchase in bottles at some locations.

Calorie counts for Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwiches:

Note: These values are for the sandwich only. Combo meals include additional calories from sides and drinks. Nutritional information may vary slightly by location.

Healthier choices at Chick-fil-A include:

• Grilled Chicken Sandwich: 320 calories, 5g fat
• Grilled Nuggets (8-count): 130 calories, 3g fat
• Egg White Grill: 300 calories, 8g fat (breakfast)
• Market Salad with Grilled Chicken: 330 calories (without dressing)
• Fruit Cup: 50 calories
• Side Salad: 120 calories (without dressing)
• Greek Yogurt Parfait: 250 calories

Tips for healthier eating at Chick-fil-A:

• Choose grilled options over breaded/fried
• Opt for fruit cup or side salad instead of fries
• Use lighter dressings like Light Italian or Fat Free Honey Mustard
• Choose water, unsweetened iced tea, or diet lemonade instead of regular soda
• Skip or share desserts

Like most fast food, Chick-fil-A menu items can be high in sodium. Some examples:

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, with an ideal limit of 1,500 mg for most adults. Choosing grilled options and being mindful of sauces can help reduce sodium intake.

Yes, Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries are vegan! They contain:

• Potatoes
• Canola oil and/or peanut oil (varies by location)
• Sea salt
• No animal products or byproducts

Important notes for vegans:

• Fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer, separate from chicken products
• This makes them one of the few vegan-friendly options at Chick-fil-A
• Always confirm with your local restaurant as practices may vary
• Other vegan options include: Fruit Cup, Side Salad (without cheese, with vegan dressing), Applesauce

For dressings, the Light Italian Dressing is typically vegan-friendly.

Typical Chick-fil-A hours in the United States:

Important Notes:

• All Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sundays for religious observance
• Hours may vary by location, especially in malls, airports, or college campuses
• Drive-thru may open earlier or close later than dining room
• Holiday hours may differ - many locations close on major holidays

Always check with your local Chick-fil-A for exact hours, especially around holidays.

Chick-fil-A closes on Sundays for religious reasons. This practice dates back to the company's founding by S. Truett Cathy in 1946.

The reasons behind this policy include:

• Religious Observance: To allow employees to rest and worship if they choose
• Company Values: Reflects the Christian principles of the founder
• Employee Well-being: Provides guaranteed time off for all team members
• Brand Identity: Has become a distinctive part of Chick-fil-A's identity

Despite potential lost revenue, the company has maintained this policy consistently. Some exceptions include:

• Certain airport locations (due to airport regulations)
• Some international locations
• Limited special circumstances

This practice has become one of Chick-fil-A's most recognizable brand characteristics.

As of 2024, Chick-fil-A has:

• Over 2,900 restaurants in the United States
• Presence in 47 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico
• Limited international presence in Canada and the United Kingdom
• Consistent growth with approximately 100 new locations opening annually

Notable facts about Chick-fil-A locations:

• Highest concentration in the Southeastern United States
• Expanding rapidly in Northeastern and Western states
• Includes traditional restaurants, mall locations, and stand-alone units
• Some locations feature drive-thru-only formats or enhanced drive-thru experiences
• Consistently ranks highest in sales per unit among fast-food chains

Yes, virtually all Chick-fil-A locations have drive-thru service. In fact, Chick-fil-A is known for its efficient drive-thru operations and often leads the industry in drive-thru speed and accuracy.

Key features of Chick-fil-A drive-thru:

• Dual Drive-Thru Lanes: Many newer locations feature two ordering lanes
• Outdoor Order Takers: Employees take orders with tablets to speed up service
• Mobile Integration: Seamless integration with the Chick-fil-A app for mobile ordering
• Express Pickup: Dedicated mobile order pickup spots
• Consistent Speed: Regularly ranked fastest in industry drive-thru studies

Some locations also offer:

• Drive-thru only locations (no dining room)
• Enhanced drive-thru with canopies and improved traffic flow
• Curbside pickup for mobile orders
• Delivery through third-party services

Chick-fil-A does not have a dedicated gluten-free menu and cannot guarantee that any menu item is completely gluten-free due to potential cross-contamination. However, some items may not contain gluten ingredients:

• Potentially gluten-free items:
  • Grilled Chicken Filet (without bun)
  • Grilled Nuggets
  • Waffle Potato Fries (cooked in dedicated fryer)
  • Fruit Cup
  • Side Salad (without croutons)
  • Apple Sauce
  • Greek Yogurt Parfait
• Contains gluten:
  • All breaded chicken items (contains wheat)
  • Buns and bread products
  • Hash Browns (may contain wheat)
  • Croutons in salads
  • Some sauces and dressings
  • Cookies and most desserts

Important: Cross-contamination is possible in preparation areas. Always inform staff about gluten allergies or sensitivities.

Dairy-free options at Chick-fil-A include:

• Chicken Items: All grilled chicken, breaded chicken (check specific preparation)
• Sides: Waffle Potato Fries, Fruit Cup, Side Salad (with dairy-free dressing)
• Sauces: Chick-fil-A Sauce, Polynesian, Barbecue, Zesty Buffalo, Sriracha
• Beverages: Most fountain drinks, iced tea, lemonade

Contains dairy:

• Milkshakes and Ice Dream
• Mac & Cheese
• Greek Yogurt Parfait
• Some salad dressings (like Ranch)
• Biscuits (contain buttermilk)
• Some breakfast items

Always check with staff about ingredients and potential cross-contamination, especially if you have a severe dairy allergy.

Yes, Chick-fil-A uses 100% refined peanut oil for frying their breaded chicken items. According to their allergen information:

• Primary frying oil: 100% refined peanut oil
• Highly refined peanut oil is typically safe for most people with peanut allergies
• The refining process removes the protein that causes allergic reactions
• Chick-fil-A states their oil should not pose a risk to those with peanut allergies

Important for peanut allergies:

• While the refined peanut oil is generally considered safe, cross-contamination risks exist
• Other menu items or preparation areas might contain peanuts or tree nuts
• Some desserts or specialty items might contain nuts
• Always inform staff about severe allergies
• Consult with your allergist if you have concerns about refined peanut oil

Chick-fil-A provides detailed allergen information on their website and in restaurants.

Yes, Chick-fil-A offers several low-carb options:

• Grilled Chicken Filet: Can be ordered without bun
• Grilled Nuggets (8-count): Only 2g carbs
• Side Salad: 10g carbs (without dressing and croutons)
• Market Salad: 13g carbs (without dressing and toppings)
• Cobb Salad: 11g carbs (without dressing and toppings)
• Egg White Grill: 9g carbs (breakfast, without English muffin)

Tips for low-carb ordering:

• Order sandwiches without the bun (comes in a container)
• Choose grilled options over breaded
• Select salads without croutons or high-carb toppings
• Use low-carb dressings like Light Italian or Ranch
• Avoid sugary sauces and drinks
• Stick to water, unsweetened tea, or diet beverages

Many locations are accommodating to special requests for low-carb modifications.