Chick-fil-A has built a pretty loyal customer base. People have their favorite sandwiches, sauces, sides, and drinks, and some can place their usual order without even looking at the menu. The friendly service has become almost as recognizable as the food.
But there’s plenty going on behind the counter that customers don’t see. Some of it has to do with company policies, some involves the menu, and some are little details that regular customers have picked up over the years.
A few of these facts are well known, while others may come as a surprise if you only visit Chick-fil-A for the chicken sandwich and waffle fries. Here are 13 things worth knowing about the chain beyond what you see at the counter.
There’s a “Secret Menu” — Sort Of
Chick-fil-A doesn’t have an official secret menu, but customers have come up with plenty of their own combinations.
Depending on the location and what the kitchen can accommodate, customers sometimes ask for things such as customized sandwiches, combinations made from existing menu items, or different ways to put together nuggets, fries, and sauces.
There’s no guarantee that an employee can make an off-menu creation, especially during a busy lunch rush. Still, if your request uses ingredients the restaurant already has and isn’t too complicated, you can always ask politely.
Related: 12 Restaurants Everyone Loved That Sadly Closed
They’re Closed Every Sunday — On Purpose
Chick-fil-A’s Sunday closure is one of the company’s best-known policies.
Founder Truett Cathy made the decision to close restaurants on Sundays so employees would have a regular day off. The policy has remained in place as the chain has grown across the country.
That means Chick-fil-A gives up a full day of sales every week, but Sunday closure has become closely tied to the company’s identity.
The Pickles Matter More Than You Think
The pickles on a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich may seem like a small detail, but they play a noticeable role in the finished sandwich.
The classic sandwich comes with two pickle slices, and their salty, tangy flavor cuts through the crispy chicken and buttered bun.
Take them off and the sandwich tastes different. For some customers, those two little pickle slices are part of what makes the original sandwich taste like Chick-fil-A.
Related: Common Restaurant Etiquette Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes
Chick-fil-A Sauce Wasn’t Planned
Chick-fil-A Sauce has become one of the chain’s most recognizable condiments, but it reportedly started as an accidental creation.
The story goes that an employee at a Chick-fil-A restaurant mixed barbecue sauce with honey mustard and ranch. Customers liked the result, and the combination eventually became the sauce people now ask for by name.
It has since become popular enough that fans can buy bottles of Chick-fil-A Sauce at grocery stores and use it at home.
Free Refills Are Standard for Dine-In
If you’re eating inside the restaurant, standard fountain drinks, tea, and lemonade can typically be refilled at no extra charge.
Policies can vary for certain beverages or locations, but free refills have long been a nice perk for customers who choose to sit down and eat.
It’s easy to overlook, especially when you’re focused on getting your food, but it’s one of those little extras that regular customers appreciate.
“My Pleasure” Is Trained — Not Random
If you’ve ever thanked a Chick-fil-A employee and heard “my pleasure” in response, there’s a reason you hear it so often.
The phrase is part of the company’s customer-service training and has become closely associated with the brand. Employees aren’t simply choosing the phrase at random.
For customers, it may sound unusual at first. After hearing it enough times, though, it becomes one of those phrases you immediately associate with Chick-fil-A.
They Use Refined Peanut Oil
Chick-fil-A cooks its fried chicken in refined peanut oil, which is part of what gives the chicken its familiar texture and flavor.
The company has stated that the peanut oil it uses is highly refined. Highly refined peanut oil is generally considered different from less-refined peanut products because most peanut proteins are removed during processing. People with peanut allergies should still check Chick-fil-A’s current allergen information and make their own decisions based on their medical needs.
The chain is also a major buyer of peanut oil, which makes sense considering how much fried chicken it serves.
Related: Restaurant Workers Share the Rudest Things Customers Do
There Are More Healthy Options Than You Might Expect
Chick-fil-A is famous for fried chicken, waffle fries, milkshakes, and other indulgent choices. But the menu has options for customers looking for something lighter.
Grilled nuggets, salads, fruit cups, and other items give customers alternatives to the restaurant’s heavier choices.
That doesn’t automatically make every menu item healthy, of course. But if you’re trying to put together a lighter meal, you have more choices than the restaurant’s best-known items might suggest.
Frosted Drinks Can Be Made With More Than Lemonade
The Frosted Lemonade is probably the best-known frozen drink at Chick-fil-A, but some longtime customers have experimented with other combinations.
Depending on the restaurant, customers may be able to order different drinks blended with the chain’s IceDream dessert base. Availability and willingness to make custom drinks can vary by location.
If you have a favorite combination in mind, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Just keep in mind that a busy restaurant may not be able to accommodate every custom request.
They’ve Given Away Free Meals for a Year
Chick-fil-A became well known for promotions tied to new restaurant openings. In the past, the first 100 customers at some grand openings could receive free Chick-fil-A meals for a year.
These promotions attracted serious crowds, with people sometimes showing up hours or even days ahead of the opening. Campouts and long lines became part of the spectacle.
The exact promotions have changed over time, but these events helped create plenty of buzz around new locations.
Related: Free Always Tastes Good: 84 Restaurants That Offer Free Birthday Food
Their Loyalty App Is Surprisingly Generous
The Chick-fil-A One app gives regular customers a way to earn points on their purchases.
Those points can be redeemed for eligible menu items, which means frequent customers can eventually turn their regular orders into free food.
The app also makes ordering ahead easier at participating restaurants. For people who already eat at Chick-fil-A regularly, the rewards can add up without requiring much extra effort.
They’ve Faced Significant Public Controversy
Chick-fil-A has also had its share of controversy over the years.
The company and its leadership have faced public criticism related to statements and charitable donations involving social issues. Those debates led to boycotts, protests, and plenty of discussion about the company beyond its food.
Chick-fil-A has since made changes to some of its charitable giving and has placed more attention on community-focused programs. Still, the company’s history on these issues remains part of the broader conversation surrounding the brand.
That Original Chicken Sandwich Changed Fast Food
Chick-fil-A’s original chicken sandwich dates back to 1964, when founder Truett Cathy introduced the boneless chicken breast sandwich that became the foundation of the chain.
The recipe itself is fairly straightforward: crispy chicken, a toasted buttered bun, and pickles.
What made it stand out was the focus on chicken at a time when hamburgers dominated the fast-food market. Over the decades, Chick-fil-A turned that simple sandwich into one of the best-known fast-food menu items in the country.
There’s a lot more happening at Chick-fil-A than what customers see while waiting for their order. Some details are tied to company traditions, while others come from the way the menu and restaurants are run.
You may already have a favorite Chick-fil-A order, but knowing a little more about what happens behind the counter can make your next visit a little more interesting.
