Chick-fil-A FAQ

Most restaurants open at 6:30 AM Monday through Saturday. A handful of high-traffic locations open at 6:00 AM, and some quieter suburban stores wait until 7:00 AM. Check your local store on our hours page or in the Chick-fil-A app for the exact time.

Standard closing time is 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Some locations near highways or college campuses stay open until 11:00 PM, while a few close at 9:00 PM. Drive-thru sometimes runs 30 minutes later than the dining room. See the full breakdown on the hours page.

If today is Monday through Saturday, yes — almost certainly. If it is Sunday, every U.S. Chick-fil-A is closed. The only other guaranteed closures are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Easter Sunday. Check hours for holiday specifics.

No. Every Chick-fil-A in the United States is closed on Sunday. Founder Truett Cathy made that call in 1946 so employees could have a day for rest, family, and worship. The policy has never changed. See why Chick-fil-A is closed on Sunday.

It goes back to 1946, when Truett Cathy opened his first diner. He believed his employees deserved one day off per week and wanted that to be a consistent, predictable day — Sunday. That rule is now written into every franchise agreement. See the full story on our hours page.

No. All U.S. Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Christmas Day. Most locations also close early on Christmas Eve — typically around 4:00–6:00 PM. See the full holiday schedule on the holidays table.

No. Every Chick-fil-A closes on Thanksgiving Day. If you are planning catering for a Thanksgiving event, orders must be picked up by Wednesday close. See holiday hours.

No. Easter falls on a Sunday, and every U.S. Chick-fil-A is closed Sundays without exception. So Easter is always a closed day — plan accordingly.

Yes. Most stores are open on New Year's Day with regular hours. A few slower-market locations open later and may skip the breakfast service.

Yes — the summer holidays are normal business days for Chick-fil-A. Some stores in tourist-heavy areas even extend their hours.

Standard close is 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Drive-thru-only and high-volume locations sometimes run until 11:00 PM. No Chick-fil-A operates 24 hours. Visit the hours guide for details by location type.

Breakfast ends at 10:30 AM Monday through Saturday at almost every location. A handful end it at 10:00 AM. The second breakfast ends, the lunch menu takes over — there is no overlap. See the full breakfast hours guide.

Most stores start at 6:30 AM, the same time they open. Some high-traffic locations begin at 6:00 AM. Check breakfast hours for specifics.

Roughly four hours — from open (6:30 AM) until 10:30 AM. That is a narrower window than many fast-food competitors, so do not cut it close. More on the breakfast hours page.

No. The fryers are set up for breakfast items during that window. You cannot order chicken sandwiches or nuggets until the lunch menu kicks in at 10:30 AM. Some very slow stores will start a lunch order around 10:15 AM, but you cannot count on it.

Almost never. Once the menu flips, the breakfast equipment gets broken down immediately. If you show up at 10:32 AM, the biscuits are gone. See when Chick-fil-A stops serving breakfast for the full breakdown.

Lunch starts at 10:30 AM and runs straight through dinner until close. There is no separate dinner menu — see lunch hours.

Yes — they are called Chick-n-Strips. You can order them as a 3-count or 4-count entree, or on the kids menu. They are whole-breast tenders, not nuggets. See the full menu.

No — Chick-fil-A does not serve a fish sandwich. They focus exclusively on chicken. If you need a fish option, you are at the wrong counter.

Not anymore. Coleslaw was removed from the menu in 2016. It was replaced by a variety of sides including Mac & Cheese, Kale Crunch Side, and the Waffle Potato Chips.

No — mashed potatoes are not on the standard menu. Side options include Waffle Potato Fries, Mac & Cheese, Fruit Cup, Kale Crunch Side, Side Salad, and Waffle Potato Chips.

No. Chick-fil-A does not sell chicken wings. The menu centers on chicken breast — sandwiches, nuggets, strips, and grilled items.

Occasionally. Chicken Tortilla Soup is a seasonal/limited item that appears in cooler months, but it is not year-round. Check the app or ask your local store.

Yes. Lemonade is one of the most iconic items — hand-squeezed fresh each morning. You can get it regular, diet, or as a Frosted Lemonade (blended with Icedream). Gallons are also available.

Yes — once the lunch menu starts at 10:30 AM, every lunch and dinner item is available straight through to close.

Breakfast includes the Chicken Biscuit, Spicy Chicken Biscuit, Chick-n-Minis, Hash Brown Scramble Bowl & Burrito, Egg White Grill, Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit, Sausage Biscuit, and Hash Browns. See the full breakfast menu.

Not officially. But there are well-known off-menu hacks: the "Chicken Quesadilla" (grilled nuggets + tortilla), the "Spicy Char" (Spicy Deluxe bun on a Char), and ordering fries "well done" for extra crispness. These work at most stores but are not guaranteed.

Yes. Chick-fil-A nuggets are made from whole-breast chicken — pressure-cooked in peanut oil. They are not mechanically separated chicken or formed pieces.

The original Chicken Sandwich is 420 calories. The Spicy Chicken Sandwich is 450, the Deluxe 470, and the Grilled Chicken Sandwich 320. See the nutrition page for the full breakdown.

8-count is 250 calories (original) or 130 (grilled). 12-count is 380 (original) or 200 (grilled). Full calorie tables on the nutrition page.

The original Chicken Sandwich has 40g of carbs. Spicy: 43g. Grilled Chicken Sandwich: 36g. Removing the bun drops you to around 10–12g carbs. See nutrition facts.

Some items are, some are not. The Grilled Chicken Sandwich (320 cal, 6g fat), Grilled Nuggets, and Fruit Cup are solid choices. The Deluxe combos with large fries and a milkshake push 1,400+ calories. See healthy options and the nutrition guide.

In moderation, no worse than any fast food. The danger zones are the large combos, milkshakes (680–800+ cal each), and the Avocado Lime Ranch dressing (310 cal per packet). Stick to grilled items, a side salad, and water and you have a reasonable meal.

Some items are. Grilled Chicken Nuggets, Waffle Potato Fries (dedicated fryer), most sauces, and salads without croutons are gluten-free. The breaded chicken is not. See the allergen menu for the full list.

Many items are. Grilled nuggets, most sauces, and the waffle fries are dairy-free. The milkshakes, Frosted Lemonade, and Icedream are not. Check the allergen menu.

The restaurant does not have a designated vegan entree. The Waffle Fries, Side Salad (no dressing), and Fruit Cup are vegan. The Kale Crunch Side contains dairy. Visit allergen info for the full picture.

Yes, with modifications. Grilled nuggets, grilled chicken, and most sauces (except Polynesian and Honey Mustard, which are higher carb) fit a keto budget. Remove the bun on any sandwich. See keto options.

Yes — the breaded chicken is pressure-cooked in 100% refined peanut oil. The waffle fries cook in a dedicated canola oil fryer. Refined peanut oil is considered safe for most peanut-allergy sufferers, but check with your doctor if you have a severe allergy.

The main allergens present across the menu: wheat, soy, eggs, milk, peanuts (cooking oil for breaded chicken), and tree nuts (some dressings). See the complete allergen menu with item-by-item breakdowns.

The original Chicken Sandwich runs about $5.95–$7.00 depending on location. A combo (with medium fries and drink) is roughly $9.79–$11.00. See current menu prices.

8-count around $5.25, 12-count around $6.45 a la carte. Combo meals add $3–$4. Catering trays: 30-count ~$19.99, 100-count ~$39.99. Full pricing at prices.

A typical meal (sandwich + medium fries + drink) lands between $10–$13 depending on the market. Airport and Northeast locations run 15–25% higher. Standalone Southern locations are the cheapest. See the full price guide.

Yes — sauces are included with your order at no charge. Most stores give 1–2 packets per entree automatically. The 8 oz bottled sauces cost about $3.99 each. See the sauces page.

The franchise fee is $10,000 — unusually low for a fast-food chain. However, you do not own the real estate or equipment; Chick-fil-A does. Operators are selected through an extremely competitive process — roughly 1 in 100 applicants. See the careers page for details on the Operator path.

Eight dipping sauces: Chick-fil-A Sauce, Polynesian, Honey Roasted BBQ, Garden Herb Ranch, Honey Mustard, Barbeque, Zesty Buffalo, and Sweet & Spicy Sriracha. Plus five salad dressings. Full guide on the sauces page.

A honey-mustard-barbecue blend: mayonnaise, honey, mustard, BBQ sauce, and a touch of smoke flavor. It originated as an accidental mix in the 1980s and became the chain's signature. Full ingredients and copycat recipe on the sauces page.

Soybean oil, sugar, water, mustard, distilled vinegar, egg yolk, paprika, lemon juice concentrate, natural smoke flavor, and garlic. Get the complete breakdown and a make-at-home recipe on the sauces page.

Tangy honey mustard up front, sweet barbecue in the middle, faint smoky finish. Creamier than BBQ, sweeter than mustard — that is why it does not taste quite like either. See all sauce flavor profiles on the sauces page.

Mix ¼ cup mayo, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp hickory BBQ sauce, and a squeeze of lemon. Rest in the fridge one hour. Full copycat recipe on the sauces page.

Yes. The standard Chick-fil-A Sauce has no gluten ingredients. Honey Mustard is the one to watch — it contains barley malt vinegar. See the full allergen breakdown on the sauces page.

At any Chick-fil-A restaurant (~$3.99 for 8 oz), at Walmart, Target, Kroger, Publix, H-E-B, and online via Amazon. See the where to buy guide.

Yes — through the Chick-fil-A app (best price, earns rewards) or DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Not every store delivers; the app shows instantly if your address is covered. See Chick-fil-A near me.

Download it, create a free account, and you can browse the menu, mobile-order for pickup or delivery, scan at the register to earn points, and use rewards like free items and birthday treats. Every dollar spent earns 10 points.

You earn 10 points per dollar on eligible purchases. Points can be redeemed for free food — starting at 200 points for a free sauce all the way up to 3,000 points for a free meal. Rewards do not expire as long as you make a purchase at least once every 90 days.

Chick-fil-A One members get a free reward on their birthday month — typically a free treat like an Icedream cone or medium waffle fries. The birthday reward page has details on how to claim it.

Yes. Order through the Chick-fil-A app, pull into a numbered parking spot, tap "I'm here," and a team member brings your order out. Usually faster than the drive-thru during peak hours.

Almost every standalone location has a drive-thru — usually double lanes with face-to-face ordering during rush. The exceptions are mall food courts, airports, and a few dense-urban storefronts. See services near you.

Over 3,000 restaurants across 48 states plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico. See the live count and a state-by-state directory on the near me page or browse all locations.

The fastest options: the Chick-fil-A app (uses your GPS), or Google Maps (search "Chick-fil-A near me"). You can also browse our Chick-fil-A near me page and state-by-state directory.

No. Alaska and Hawaii do not have a Chick-fil-A. Every other state does, including DC and Puerto Rico. The near me page lists the count per state.

Yes — Chick-fil-A began expanding into Canada. Toronto had the first Canadian location. Expansion is ongoing but slow; coverage is still very limited outside Toronto.

Yes — every full-service restaurant handles catering. You can order nugget trays, sandwich trays, Chick-n-Minis, Mac & Cheese, salads, and more. See the full catering menu and prices.

Through the Chick-fil-A app, at cateringbychickfila.com, or by calling your local store. Order at least 24 hours ahead for trays; 48+ hours if you need delivery and setup. See catering details.

A 30-count nugget tray starts around $19.99. Sandwich trays for 14 run about $89.49. Full catering pricing on the catering page.

No — all stores are closed on Sunday, including for catering pickup. Schedule your catering pickup for Saturday at the latest if your event is on Sunday.

The minimum age is 14 at most locations, though some stores prefer 15 or 16. Age requirements are set by each local Operator, so they vary. See the careers page for more on age and scheduling.

Many stores do. At 14 you would typically work limited hours (often no more than 18 per week during school). Not every Operator hires 14-year-olds — call your local store. More detail on the careers page.

Starting pay is typically $13–$17/hr depending on the market. Some locations — especially in high cost-of-living areas — start at $18–$19/hr. See the full pay scale on the pay rates page.

Operators earn an estimated $130,000–$300,000+ per year depending on store volume. The unusual model: Chick-fil-A owns the real estate and collects 15% of sales + 50% of pre-tax profit. The payoff is lower capital risk. See the Operator section.

Yes — health insurance, 401(k) with match, paid time off, free/discounted meals during shifts, flexible scheduling, and Sunday always off. Scholarship programs (up to $25,000) are available for eligible employees. See benefits details.

Every Chick-fil-A employee gets every Sunday off — because the entire chain is closed on Sundays. That is one of the most-cited reasons people enjoy working there.

Apply directly at your local store (walk in during 2–4 PM on weekdays and ask for an application) or online at careers.chick-fil-a.com. Each restaurant hires independently. See the full process on the job application page.

Generally yes — it consistently ranks among fast food's best employers. The Sunday closure, free meals, and scholarship programs are major draws. Pay varies a lot by Operator. See careers overview.

S. Truett Cathy. He opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia in 1967 — though his original Dwarf House diner dates back to 1946. The company remains family-owned.

The first Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in 1967 inside the Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta, Georgia. The parent company (formerly The Dwarf House) dates to 1946.

If you count from the first Chick-fil-A branded store in 1967, the brand is about 59 years old as of 2026. If you count from the original Dwarf House, it is 80 years old.

Yes — the Cathy family has always described Chick-fil-A as operating on Christian principles. That is the primary reason for the Sunday closure. The company also funds Christian-affiliated charities through the WinShape Foundation.

Over 3,000 across the US, with locations in Canada and the UK. Texas, Georgia, and Florida have the most stores. See the live count on our near me page.

Canola oil — in a dedicated fryer that never touches the breaded chicken. That is why the fries are gluten-free and suitable for most peanut-allergy sufferers. See the full waffle fries recipe and guide.

Yes. Cooked in dedicated canola oil, no flour coating. Most people with gluten sensitivity tolerate them fine. Confirm with your store if you have celiac. More on the waffle fries page.

Yes — in 2024–2025 they rolled out a tweaked frying process designed for "crispier-longer" fries. The cut, oil, and seasoning stayed the same; only the cook curve changed. Customer reactions have been mixed. See the full story on the waffle fries recipe page.

You need a waffle-blade mandoline, russet potatoes, and canola oil. Soak the cuts 30 minutes, dry completely, then double-fry (325°F for 4 minutes, then 375°F for 2–3 minutes). Salt immediately. Full copycat recipe on the waffle fries recipe page.