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8 Reasons To Never Eat at Chick-Fil-A

They're not the only chicken sammie option on the block anymore.

By Amanda Machado , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated May 20, 2026

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Seeing a long line of cars waiting for food might make you wonder if you're missing out on something at Chick-fil-A, but is it even worth the hype?

The controversial chicken sandwich chain is overpriced, unhealthy, and declining in quality over recent years. Even fans of the chain are giving Chick-fil-A the side-eye as rising costs force the average American to stretch a fast food budget to try and save money.

Recently, the chain faced a recall of a "milk wash" ingredient due to potential Salmonella contamination, impacting some recipes, which is not a good look. Learn the reasons why it might be best to never eat at Chick-fil-A.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

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Price

What used to be a cheap and healthier alternative to a hamburger isn't really so cheap anymore. Chick-fil-A has hiked prices by 21% in just two years, and a Deluxe Chicken Sandwich now costs over $6 in most locations. That's just for the sandwich alone. A full combo meal with an extra side and a milkshake is $17.78, so it's not quite the affordable meal it once was.

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The sodium levels are outrageous

The American Heart Association recommends a daily maximum allowance of 1,500 mg of sodium per day, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration bumps it up to 2,300 mg. Either way, a single classic chicken sammie from Chick-fil-A rolls in at a whopping 1,460 mg of sodium.

Comparatively, the same sandwich from KFC clocks in with 1,260 mg of sodium. The mac and cheese is even worse, rolling in 2,230 mg of sodium for a large side from Chick-fil-A.

It's not really for kids anymore

The prices for a kids' meal jumped even higher than the adult menu options, with a whopping 63% increase over the last decade. Two chicken strips, small fries, and a shake now cost over $10, which is not exactly a cost-efficient way to regularly feed your children. After all, an entire rotisserie chicken from Costco is only about $5.

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Back into your cages, chickens

Chick-fil-A likes to get credit for saying things without any follow-through, and this year marks another failure to deliver. Back in 2016, they committed to transitioning their egg supply to 100% cage-free options by 2026, but now that we're here at the demarcation line, it turns out they just didn't do that. There is no updated timeline, and the company only serves cage-free eggs where required by state-specific legislation.

The calorie count isn't doing anyone any favors either

You might think you're eating healthy when you order a salad instead of the typical fast food meal from Chick-fil-A, but a Cobb salad actually has 830 calories, before adding on any extras. Even the dipping sauces can pack a calorie punch, as the signature Chick-fil-A sauce has 140 calories in each little 1-ounce package — and most use more than one.

They failed their own "raised without antibiotics" pledge

Many people think Chick-fil-A uses antibiotic-free chicken. This is because the fried chicken chain promised to do just that back in 2014 with their No Antibiotics Ever policy, but then they quietly ditched that plan and went with No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine. Even customers who don't particularly care about the antibiotics issue think it's a bad look for a company not to keep promises.

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Declining quality

It's not your imagination; the quality of Chick-fil-A has faltered across the menu board, and customers have noticed.

A Redditor took to social media to compare their 2026 Deluxe Sandwich to the exact same order from five years ago. Five years ago, Chick-fil-A served a thick slab of fried chicken between structurally sound buns, garnished with fluffy lettuce and tomato peeking out.

The current iteration looks wilted. The bread is thin and floppy, the chicken looks about half the size, with a mushy single lettuce leaf, and a chunky tomato slice struggling to stay in the smaller sandwich. The recipe for fries was also changed to less-than-ideal consumer feedback, and fans of the fast food chain are debating whether the pea starch made the original fries recipe better or worse.

Homophobic history

The biggest controversy surrounding Chick-fil-A is its anti-LGBTQ+ stance and spending. They've donated millions and millions of dollars to organizations opposing gay rights over the years, even after marriage equality was brought into federal law. This has led to many boycotts and even lease refusals from those who would otherwise enjoy frequenting the chicken chain.

Bottom line

There are smarter menu options from Chick-fil-A for those who are health-conscious, such as the grilled chicken or fruit cup side, but for those watching both their budget and sodium intake, it's becoming harder to justify the spending.

Grabbing fried chicken from the grocery deli, or a rotisserie from Costco, is increasingly appealing as soaring grocery prices leave less wiggle room for fast food treats and shoppers look for ways to tackle high grocery costs.

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