Chic-fil-A Menu Prices: 21% Average Price Increase in 2 Years

Does it feel like the menu prices at Chic-fil-A keep going up? You aren’t imagining things. The famous chicken sandwich chain increased menu prices by 15% from 2021 to 2022. Then in January of 2023, the restaurant announced another menu-wide increase of 6% on average. It doesn’t take a math professor to figure out that items are a staggering 21% more expensive than they were only 2 years ago.

Here are the updated menu prices at Chic-fil-A for 2023. I explain the numerous reasons the restaurant says they need to raise prices here and my favorite hacks to save you money during your next visit.

Chic-fil-A menu poster.

Breakfast Menu

Entrees

Salad Menu

Sides

Kid’s Meals

Treats

Drinks

Gallon Beverages

Dipping sauces and dressing

Has Chic-fil-A increased prices in 2023?

To give you an idea of how much price increase Chick-fil-A had, it is a whopping 15% increase from 2021 to 2022. And it didn’t stop there. Even after the world has managed to live with the pandemic, prices continue to rise into the beginning of 2023. Here are examples of specific menu price increases:

Related Reading: McDonald’s Menu Prices + Free Big Mac Coupon 

• Original Chicken Sandwich: Increased by $0.20
• Spicy Chicken Sandwich: Increased by $0.20
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich: Increased by $0.20
• Chicken Nuggets: Increased by $0.05
• Waffle Fries: Increased by $0.05
• Frosted Lemonade: Increased by $0.10
• Iced Tea: Increased by $0.05
• Soda: Increased by $0.05

Although this is just a portion of the chain’s complete menu list, I think you understand the general trend.

Price increases hurt customers especially when they happen more frequently over a period of months and years. Did you notice the price increases at your local Chic-fil-A over the past couple years? Let me hear about it on social media.  

Is eating at Chic-fil-A expensive now? 

Compared to the menu prices only a few short years ago, the chicken-sandwich chain is more expensive than it used to be. But the reality all fast-food restaurants have been forced to increase their menu prices the past couple years. 

Despite increased prices Chick-fil-A is considered to be a mid-range restaurant with prices that are slightly higher than some other fast food chains. For example, a chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A costs  $3.05, while the McChicken at McDonald’s only costs $2.49 (18.49% less expensive). Most Chick-fil-A customers will still argue the quality and taste is worth the slightly elevated price.

Many restaurant companies have reported that inflation is moderating, although food, labor, and construction costs remain elevated. Most restaurants have chosen to hike prices to avoid a squeeze on their profit margins, leading to consumers cutting back on their restaurant visits or spending less money when they do dine out.

Chick-fil-A mini chicken sandwiches. Small and delicious.

Best ways to save money at Chick-fil-A

The easiest way to save money is to join Chick-fil-A One. When you join this program, you’ll earn points with every order that can be redeemed for free food. The number of points per dollar increases as you reach new membership tiers. These benefits are summarized below:

• hick-fil-A One Member: Earn 10 points per dollar, receive rewards from your local Chick-fil-A, participate in bonus points challenges, and get a birthday reward from Chick-fil-A, valid for 30 days.
• Chick-fil-A One Silver Member: Earn 11 points per dollar, use your points to give rewards to friends and family, and access all the benefits of the Member tier.
• Chick-fil-A One Red Member: Earn 12 points per dollar, access Backstage Tours at the Chick-fil-A Home Office, unlock rewards exclusive to Red Members, and access all the benefits of the Silver tier.
• Chick-fil-A One Signature Member: Earn 13 points per dollar, access unique experiences, unlock rewards exclusive to Signature Members, and access all the benefits of the Red tier.

Get a free Chocolate Chunk Cookie as a Chick-fil-A birthday reward: When you download the Chick-fil-A app and add your birth date, you’ll get a free cookie or ice cream on your birthday.

Check the Chick-fil-A survey on your receipt: You can get a free Original Chicken Sandwich by filling out a survey using the link on the bottom of some receipts. This survey took me less than 15 minutes to complete when I called the numbers and I was emailed a coupon for the free sandwich as advertised.

Did you know you can buy Chick-fil-A sauce at Walmart? Walmart sells bottles of Chick-fil-A sauce for $3.89 for a 16-ounce bottle, saving you about $1.61 compared to buying two 8-ounce containers from the restaurant. Sometimes you can even find the Chic-fil-A bottles on sale to save even more. You can also buy he Polynesian Sauce at Walmart. This sauce has  a sweet and tangy blend of pineapple, honey, and brown sugar.

Save with discount Chick-fil-A gift cards: You might be able to purchase gift cards at a discount from the regular price. Sam’s Club often offers a deal of three $10 Chick-fil-A gift cards for only $24.98, saving you 16.7%.

Peach Milkshake.

What are the tier rewards levels with Chic-fil-A One? 

Here is the complete point value chart for Chic-fil-A One:

Chick-fil-A One members also earn bonus points for completing special challenges like visiting the restaurant on a certain day of the week or ordering a specific item in a specific time frame.

You can also earn points by referring friends to Chick-fil-A One. For every friend who signs up and makes a purchase, you earn 100 points.

Chick-fil-A One members can redeem their points for a variety of rewards, including free food, drinks, and merchandise. You can also use your points to enter sweepstakes and win prizes.

To sign up for Chick-fil-A One, simply download the Chick-fil-A app and create an account. You will then be able to start earning points and redeeming rewards.

What is the highest Chick-fil-A Rewards status?

Chick-fil-A’s membership is a four-membership tier program with the highest being the Chick-fil-A Signature Member. Members at this level earn 13 points per dollar spent, have access to unique experiences, and can unlock rewards exclusive to Signature Members, among other benefits.

Positive vibes at the Chick-fil-A drive-thru.

What time does Chick-fil-A stop serving breakfast?

Chick-fil-A locations only serve breakfast from 6 AM to 10:30 AM. After that, you just have to consider ordering their lunch menu or heading home and getting yourself your breakfast meal. 

What time does Chick-fil-A serve lunch?

Chick-fil-A serves lunch right on the spot at 10:30 AM, right after the breakfast menu turns over. 

Why is Chick-fil-A closed on Sunday?

This might come as a surprise for some who are not familiar with Chick-fil-A this restaurant is not open on Sunday. Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays because of the religious beliefs of the company’s founder, S. Truett Cathy. A devout Southern Baptist, Cathy made the decision to close on Sundays from the time he opened his first restaurant, the Dwarf Grill, in Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946. This tradition has been carried on with all Chick-fil-A locations to this day.

The rationale behind this decision is to give employees a day off to rest, spend time with family, and worship if they choose. Despite being closed one day a week, Chick-fil-A maintains strong sales and is one of the top-performing fast-food chains in the United States. The policy has been a defining trait of the company, distinguishing it from its competitors in the fast food industry.

Enjoy Chick-fil-A’s Cloudberry Sunjoy.

What oil does Chick-Fil-A use?

Chick-fil-A cooks their food in 100% refined peanut oil. This includes their signature fried chicken items, like their chicken sandwiches and nuggets.

Peanut oil is often chosen for frying because of its high smoke point and slightly sweet flavor. Additionally, it doesn’t absorb the flavors of the foods cooked in it, which helps maintain the distinctive taste of Chick-fil-A’s chicken.

However, if you have a peanut allergy, you should know that according to Chick-fil-A, the oil they use is highly refined and is not likely to cause an allergic reaction, though it’s always best to consult with a doctor or allergist if you have concerns. Additionally, always check with the restaurant for the most recent and specific ingredient information, as ingredients can change.

What is $5 dollars or less at Chick-fil-A?

Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich: This is their classic menu item, a hand-breaded chicken breast with pickles on a toasted, buttered bun. You can still order this for less than $5. 

Chick-fil-A Nuggets (8 pieces): These are bite-sized pieces of tender chicken breast, hand-breaded and cooked in 100% refined peanut oil.

Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Strips (3 pieces): These are larger pieces of chicken breast, hand-breaded and cooked in 100% refined peanut oil.

Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap: This might be slightly over $5, but it’s a healthy option that consists of sliced grilled chicken, lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots, all rolled in a flaxseed flat bread.

Variety of Sides: Options include Waffle Potato Fries, Chicken Noodle Soup, Greek Yogurt Parfait, Fruit Cup, and Side Salad.

Beverages: You could also consider various drinks and desserts, like lemonade, milkshakes, and Frosted Beverages are all under $5. 

Why do Chick-fil-A sandwiches taste so good?

Chick-fil-A’s chicken sandwiches are highly regarded for their taste, and several factors contribute to this:

Quality of Ingredients: Chick-fil-A uses high-quality, fresh ingredients. The chicken is 100% breast meat, with no fillers or additives.

Unique Marinade: Chick-fil-A marinates their chicken in a mixture of seasonings and pickle juice. The pickle juice not only imparts a unique flavor but also tenderizes the chicken, making it juicy and flavorful.

Cooking Method: Chick-fil-A pressure cooks the chicken in refined peanut oil. Pressure cooking allows the chicken to retain its moisture, resulting in a juicy, tender piece of meat. Using peanut oil adds a slightly sweet and nutty flavor that complements the chicken.

Related Reading: Culver’s Menu with Prices: Why So Expensive?

Breading: The chicken is hand-breaded in-store giving it a crispy and flavorful crust.

Buttered Bun and Pickles: The sandwich is served on a toasted, buttered bun with two pickles, adding to the combination of flavors and textures.

Consistency: Chick-fil-A places a heavy emphasis on consistency in their cooking process to ensure that their chicken sandwiches taste the same at every location.

All of these factors come together to create a chicken sandwich that many people find delicious and crave-worthy. However, the taste is subjective, and not everyone may find Chick-fil-A sandwiches to their liking.

Make your day better with Chick-fil-A’s Chicken Biscuit.

Do people like Chick-fil-A more than Mcdonald’s?

Whether people prefer Chick-fil-A or McDonald’s depends on individual taste preferences. Clearly, there are plenty of folks who like both restaurants.

In terms of customer service and dining experience, Chick-fil-A has often received higher marks. Reader’s Digest wrote a piece stating the restaurant had the best customer service in the fast-food industry, even beating out In-N-Out Burger. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) has consistently rated Chick-fil-A as the top fast-food restaurant in the United States as well. 

On the other hand, McDonald’s has a broader menu selection that appeals to a wider variety of tastes, including burgers, chicken items, salads, and breakfast items. McDonald’s also has a much larger international presence and is known for providing a consistent and low-cost meals. 

Another reason diners eat at McDonald’s is convenience. The chain has 38,000+ locations in over 100 countries making it one of the most accessible fast food chains in the world. Additionally, most McDonald’s locations have a drive-thru option allowing customers to order and pick up their food without having to get out of their car. This makes McDonald’s a convenient option for people who are on the go even if the food isn’t particularly special.