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Chick-fil-a Quietly Rolls Out Six New Sandwiches For 2026

Chick-fil-A may not operate worldwide, but its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and signature sauce have proven powerful enough to keep customers lining up and even international visitors eager to experience it firsthand.

Combined with its emphasis on Southern hospitality and iconic "my pleasure" phrase, which remains uncommon among quick-service restaurants, the chain has built a level of customer loyalty few can match.

That loyalty has helped Chick-fil-A continue to grow, even as economic uncertainty and rising food prices push consumers to become more selective with their spending. Many households are opting to cook at home more often rather than dine out, creating headwinds for the restaurant industry as a whole.

Overall traffic in the food service industry declined 1% in the quarter ending June 2025, according to Circana. This slowdown has forced many fast-food chains to search for new ways to keep customers engaged and strengthen brand loyalty.

However, Chick-fil-A appears unfazed by those pressures. For the eleventh consecutive year, the chain was again named the top quick-service restaurant in the American Customer Satisfaction Index 2025 Restaurant and Food Delivery Study, earning a steady score of 83.

Now that 2026 has begun, the company is leaning into that momentum by surprising fans with several unexpected innovations while bringing back seasonal favorites.

Chick-fil-A releases six new chicken sandwiches

For a limited time, Chick-fil-A is testing two new chicken sandwiches that can be ordered in six different ways: The Avocado Sriracha BLT Sandwiches and the Sweet Chili Lime Crunch Sandwiches, each available in Original, Spicy, and Grilled versions.

Avocado Sriracha BLT Sandwiches

The Avocado Sriracha BLT Sandwiches feature lettuce, tomatoes, seasoned avocado mash, and strips of hardwood-smoked bacon, all served between Sriracha Swirl Toast and paired with cayenne ranch sauce.

Available options:

Original
Spicy
Grilled

These sandwiches are currently being tested in Oklahoma City through March 7. This marks the second round of testing for the items, following a previous limited release in Georgia at the end of 2025.

Sweet Chili Lime Crunch Sandwiches

The Sweet Chili Lime Crunch Sandwiches include a Ginger Lime Cool Crunch, made with kale, cabbage, and a creamy ginger-lime dressing, topped with a drizzle of spicy sweet chili sauce and served on a sliced buttered white bun.

Available options:

Original
Spicy
Grilled

These sandwiches are currently being tested in three North Carolina cities, including Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem, through March 7, or while supplies last.

Customers are encouraged to check the Chick-fil-A app or contact their local restaurant to confirm participation and availability using the store locator.

Chick-fil-A tests six new sandwiches and unveils its 2026 Valentine's Day menu.

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Chick-fil-A unveils its 2026 Valentine's Day Menu

For customers outside the test markets, Chick-fil-A has launched its seasonal Valentine's Day Menu, featuring five heart-shaped tray options and a heart-shaped breakfast item, according to a company press release.

Heart-shaped tray offerings

10-count Chick-n-Minis
10-count Chick-n-Strips
30-count Chicken Nuggets
12-count Chocolate Brownie Halfs
6-count Chocolate Chip Cookies

Additionally, Chick-fil-A is offering a Heart-Shaped Biscuit, available exclusively during breakfast hours closer to Valentine's Day.

All the heart-shaped trays are available now through February 14 and can be ordered for dine-in, pickup, or delivery via the Chick-fil-A App and online while supplies last. Participating restaurants can be confirmed using the store locator.

Innovation helps Chick-fil-A stay ahead of the competition

Prices for food at home increased 2.6% in the 12 months ended September 2025, while prices for food away from home rose 3.7%, according to recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

"In response to the decreasing food dollar and the empowered customer, restaurants are turning to innovative business and operating models to grab a greater share of the market," said KPMG Restaurant Segment Leader Paul Fultz and Strategy Leader of Consumer Markets Joel Rampoldt in a study.

Innovation has long played a role in Chick-fil-A's strategy. The company opened HATCH Innovation Labs in 2012, a dedicated creative workspace designed to develop new ideas driven by customer feedback.

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Still, some industry experts caution that sustainable growth requires more than new menu items alone.

"Creating a thriving innovation ecosystem within an organization requires more than just great ideas," said Itonics Marketing Team Lead Sophia Hoferer. "It demands a strategic approach that connects people, processes, and technologies across departments to turn those ideas into impactful outcomes."

So far, Chick-fil-A's approach appears to be paying off. The chain generated more than $9 billion in total revenue in 2024, representing a nearly 14% increase from the prior year, and achieved $22.7 billion in systemwide sales, which have been steadily rising year over year.

Chick-fil-A total yearly sales

2024: $22.7 billion
2023: $21.6 billion
2022: $18.8 billion
2021: $16.7 billion
2020: $13.7 billion
2019: $12.2 billion
Source: QSR Magazine

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