Why Is Chick-fil-A Expensive? What You Really Pay For
Chick-fil-A feels expensive because a simple meal adds up fast. A Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich is about $5.49, 8 nuggets are about $5.79, and a medium waffle fries is about $3.09. Add a drink and you are close to $12 for one person.
But when you compare it with other chicken chains, Chick-fil-A is not much more costly. What you pay for is fresh chicken, lots of staff and very fast service. Here is the full picture.
What does Chick-fil-A cost?
| Item | Typical price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich | About $5.49 | 420 |
| Spicy Chicken Sandwich | About $5.79 | 450 |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | About $6.49 | 390 |
| 8 ct Chicken Nuggets | About $5.79 | 250 |
| 12 ct Chicken Nuggets | About $7.49 | 380 |
| Waffle Potato Fries (medium) | About $3.09 | 420 |
Prices change by location. See every item on our Chick-fil-A menu with prices.
1. The chicken is fresh and breaded by hand
Chick-fil-A uses whole chicken breast fillets, not ground or shaped meat. Staff bread the chicken by hand in each restaurant all day long. That takes more workers and more time than dropping frozen patties into a fryer.
2. It cooks in peanut oil
Chick-fil-A fries its chicken in fully refined peanut oil. Peanut oil usually costs more than the cheaper oil blends many chains use, and the chain changes it often to keep the taste clean.
3. More staff in every store
You often see workers outside taking orders on tablets in the drive-thru, plus a full team inside. That is why lines with 15 cars still move fast. All those extra hands cost money, and that cost is part of the menu price.
4. Open only six days a week
Every Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays. That means rent, equipment and other bills must be covered with six days of sales instead of seven. Even so, Chick-fil-A restaurants made about $6.71 million each on average in 2022, the most of any fast food chain in the U.S.
5. The company owns the restaurants
Chick-fil-A builds and owns its restaurants. The local owner, called an Operator, needs only about $10,000 to start. In return, the company keeps a large share of the money each restaurant makes. That setup lets the company pick great spots and keep stores looking new, but it also has to be paid for.
6. People keep coming
When a restaurant is busy all day, it does not need to run big discounts. Chick-fil-A has some of the most loyal fans of any chain, so it has little reason to cut prices.
Is Chick-fil-A really more expensive than other chains?
Not by much. A Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich is also about $5.49. The bigger gap comes from sides and drinks, and from ordering on delivery apps, which add fees. Compare for yourself on the Popeyes menu, the Raising Cane’s menu and the KFC menu, or read our chicken sandwich comparison.
How can you save money at Chick-fil-A?
- Use the Chick-fil-A One app. You earn points on every order and can trade them for free food.
- Skip the meal. Ordering the sandwich alone and drinking water saves several dollars.
- Get a bigger nugget count to share. The 12 count is a better deal per nugget than two 5 counts.
- Order for pickup. Delivery apps often charge higher menu prices plus fees.
- Grab free sauce. Sauces come free with your order, so you do not need a pricier item for flavor.
Want to know more about the company? Read who owns Chick-fil-A, check Chick-fil-A hours, or try the Chick-fil-A secret menu.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Chick-fil-A so expensive?
Chick-fil-A uses whole chicken breast that is breaded by hand, cooks in peanut oil, has more staff than most chains and is closed on Sundays. Those costs show up in the menu price.
How much is a Chick-fil-A sandwich?
A Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich costs about $5.49 in many places. The Spicy Chicken Sandwich is about $5.79.
Is Chick-fil-A more expensive than Popeyes?
Not by much. A Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich is also about $5.49. Prices depend on the location.
Why is Chick-fil-A closed on Sundays?
Founder S. Truett Cathy closed his restaurants on Sundays so workers could rest and spend time with family or worship if they chose. Every Chick-fil-A still follows that rule.
How can I save money at Chick-fil-A?
Use the Chick-fil-A One app for points, order the sandwich without a meal, share a larger nugget count and pick up your food instead of using delivery apps.
Does Chick-fil-A cook in peanut oil?
Yes. Chick-fil-A fries its chicken in fully refined peanut oil.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
