5 Things Chick-Fil-A Doesn’t Want You To Know About Its Food

Chick-fil-A is a major name in the fast food industry. Whether you’re a regular customer of this chain or only stop in occasionally for some hot and crisp waffle fries or an original Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, you already know how tasty their food is. If you’re a true superfan, then you might even know that the fast food chain is launching its own streaming service.

Regardless of how much you think you know about Chick-fil-A, there are probably some secrets about the restaurant and its food that you might not know. Some of these secrets could even help you save money — which might be why you don’t hear too much about them — while others could help you ensure your order comes out exactly to your liking every time. Read on to learn some new and enlightening information that Chick-fil-A might not want you to know about its food.

1. You can buy the dipping sauces outside the restaurants

One of the best things about enjoying those waffle fries, those Chick-fil-A nuggets, or that Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich is the dipping sauces. Whether you love dipping your fries in the scrumptious Chick-fil-A Sauce, like to spread some barbecue sauce on your sandwich, or can’t live without the Polynesian sauce when eating nuggets, it’s always tempting to ask for a few additional packets to bring home.

However, you don’t need to beg the cashier for a few extra — or hoard any you don’t happen to use with your meal. Did you know you can buy large bottles of these incredible sauces from participating grocery stores? Select Walmart, Target, and other retailers carry 16-ounce bottles of Chick-fil-A sauce, barbecue sauce, Polynesian sauce, and sweet and spicy sriracha sauce (along with 24-ounce bottles of Chick-fil-A sauce). If you can’t find these at a grocery store near you, you may be able to find them online, or you can pick up an 8-ounce bottle from many Chick-fil-A restaurants. Imagine all the possibilities — from using these sauces for home-cooked burgers or fries to filling up a muffin tin to prep for a backyard barbecue.

2. Chick-fil-A cannot guarantee foods are allergen free

Those with allergies or food sensitivities may be able to eat safely at Chick-fil-A. Just don’t expect the restaurant to guarantee their foods are safe. To start, Chick-fil-A cooks their breaded chicken sandwiches and chicken nuggets in peanut oil. Those with peanut allergies may already be well-versed regarding its safety. Generally, refined peanut oil — which Chick-fil-A’s is — is considered safe for those with peanut allergies. The FDA does not consider this highly refined oil a major allergen. In most cases, anyone with a peanut allergy will likely not react to this oil because the refining process removes the peanut protein. However, if you have a peanut allergy, you may need to consult your doctor to see if refined peanut oil is safe for you.

Those with wheat or gluten allergies or anyone with celiac disease will be happy to see a few gluten-free options listed on Chick-fil-A’s menu, including the grilled chicken nuggets, hash browns, and Waffle Potato Fries. However, the chain will not guarantee that these items are gluten-free due to the possibility of cross-contamination. It does have a list of a few prepackaged items that arrive at the restaurant sealed and, thus, are not subject to cross-contamination. A few of these include the certified gluten-free bun, the Waffle Potato Chips, and the Cinnamon Apple Sauce.

3. Downloading the app can help you save money

Have you downloaded the Chick-fil-A app? If not, now may be the time to do so. There are a few benefits to installing the app on your phone, but one of the biggest reasons is to save money on your Chick-fil-A favorites. When you join the Chick-fil-A rewards program, every time you place an order through the app, you’ll earn points. These points can later be redeemed for food. If you forget to order through the app, you can also scan your receipt to make sure you still get credit for the purchase.

Every dollar you spend on food earns you 10 points. You can earn your first reward once you’ve accumulated 200 points. So, you’ll only need to spend $20 or a few meals from the chain to get your first reward. For 200 points, you’ll receive a free Icedream cone. Or, you can save up your points for more valuable rewards, such as a free 2-count Chick-n-Strips for 600 points or a free 12-count Chick-fil-A nuggets for 1,200 points.

4. Your food might travel on a conveyor belt

Speed is key when it comes to Chick-fil-A fulfilling customer orders. After all, it isn’t called a fast food restaurant for nothing. Some locations are experimenting with new methods to help reduce the wait time in the drive-thru line while (hopefully) improving overall satisfaction. One San Antonio, Texas restaurant is giving new order-fulfillment conveyor belts a test run.

These conveyor belts bring the food from the kitchen to the drive-thru line. The bags of food are clipped to the belt, where they travel from the kitchen to the employees, who will hand them to you in your car. And, it only takes the food 30 seconds to make that journey. While this setup hasn’t been implemented in many restaurants yet, if it proves successful, you might find it at your local Chick-fil-A soon.

5. Some locations offer veteran discounts

If you are a veteran, you might be able to save money on your Chick-fil-A order. Some locations offer a 10% discount for military veterans. Others may provide free food on Veterans Day or other Military Appreciation Days. Still, other stores may offer other discounts or opportunities to save money. In order to be eligible for any available discounts, you’ll want to make sure you bring your valid military identification card — this will let the employees verify that you served.

We say you might be able to save money because not all locations offer discounts. Chick-fil-A is a franchise, which means that each restaurant is operated by a different owner. Franchise owners have the freedom to set different rules for their stores, which is why only some may offer a discount to veterans. If you’re not sure whether any locations in your area offer any promotions, consider calling ahead to learn more.