13 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chick-fil-A's menu is pretty extensive and offers several different options. However, sometimes you might not feel like having the pickle on your chicken sandwich or want to try adding a different sauce or topping. Did you know that Chick-fil-A will let you customize your order just how you like it?

While you can request changes when you order in person inside the store or at the drive-thru window, the easiest way to ensure everything is prepared to your liking is to place your order through the app. Chick-fil-A revamped its app to make adding or removing meal components easy for a personalized experience. Some options include adding chocolate syrup to a cookies and cream shake, trying a hash brown scramble bowl with spicy chicken, or simply removing the lettuce or tomato from a sandwich.

If you want to order something like In-N-Out's Flying Dutchman from Chick-fil-A, you may be disappointed that the chain does not have a secret menu. Even if you've read about a secret menu online, the fast food restaurant has firmly denied any rumors as being true. The company says its employees are not allowed to make food unavailable through the official menu. However, that doesn't mean all is lost.

While there is no secret menu, Chick-fil-A shares that it does have a few "underground menu delights." With many customization options available, you can come up with some pretty incredible concoctions, some of which might require you to assemble them. One that you might want to try is the Cookie Icedream sandwich. Order two chocolate chunk cookies and a cup of Icedream. Put the ingredients together to make a yummy, ice cream-filled sandwich. Another interesting option is to try the Buffalo chicken mac and cheese. With an order of nuggets, some mac and cheese, and two dipping sauces (Garden Herb ranch sauce and Zesty Buffalo sauce), you'll have everything you need. Cut up the nuggets, add them to the mac and cheese, and then pour a little of both sauces over top.

When you order Chick-fil-A to go, do you find yourself sad when you finish the beverage that came with your meal? Would you like to refill your cup? Or, enjoy one of your favorite Chick-fil-A beverages another day with a meal you've prepared at home. If so, you'll be happy to learn that you can buy gallons of some of Chick-fil-A's best beverages. Not only can this help you enjoy these drinks whenever you want, but you can also save money compared to buying multiple smaller cups.

So, what beverages are available? You can purchase unsweetened iced tea, sweetened iced tea, lemonade, diet lemonade, and various formulations of both beverages by the gallon. Try a gallon of Sunjoy (with ½ sweet or unsweet tea and ½ lemonade or diet lemonade), or buy a gallon jug of lemonade and iced tea so you can make your Arnold Palmer at home just as you like it.

Chick-fil-A might not have malted milkshakes, but they have some delicious flavors. With options like cookies and cream, chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla shakes, your mouth is probably watering just thinking about it. And that doesn't even account for any seasonal flavors that might be available. How are you supposed to choose just one flavor when so many sound scrumptious?

Well, if you get lucky and order from the right person, you might not have to. You can try requesting two different milkshake flavors combined into one blissful beverage. If your only complaint about the cookies and cream shake is that it isn't chocolatey enough, why not ask for half cookies and cream and half chocolate? Try a chocolate-covered strawberry by asking to mix chocolate and strawberry shakes. If you ask nicely, the team member taking your order may add some Oreo crumbles to your concoction.

Checking your receipt for a survey to get free food is a McDonald's hack you'll wish you already knew. However, McDonald's is not the only fast food chain that offers customers the opportunity to earn free food by completing a survey. Chick-fil-A sometimes also offers surveys for its customers to complete, though you won't find invitations on every receipt. Take a close look at your receipt before crumbling it up to throw it away. 

If you were selected to take the survey, information about it should be on the bottom of the receipt, under your total. There will be a website to visit along with the serial number you'll need to enter to complete the survey. Once you've finished the survey, enter your email, and you'll receive an offer for a free sandwich from Chick-fil-A. Now, that's a pretty good deal for just a few minutes of your time. Additionally, Chick-fil-A also sends out invitations to complete surveys through the app, so be on the lookout for those as well.

Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays. Its founder, S. Truett Cathy wanted to ensure that the workers always had at least one day per week off to spend time with their family or attend church services. This tradition has continued, and you won't be able to order from any Chick-fil-A restaurants on a Sunday. However, this doesn't mean that you can't enjoy some of your Chick-fil-A favorites on a Sunday. That is, as long as you plan ahead.

You can order an extra sandwich or pack of nuggets on Friday or Saturday and reheat them on Sunday when the craving strikes. If you want to ensure the sandwich or nuggets taste as close to the real (fresh) deal as possible, then be sure to choose the best reheating method. Stay away from the microwave, as it can make them soggy or dry. Instead, try warming them up in the air fryer. Doing so will not only warm up the food, but it will also help crisp it back up to perfection.

If you're planning an event on a Sunday and want to serve catered food from Chick-fil-A, all is not lost, either. You can order trays of Chick-fil-A nuggets or chick-n-strips and reheat them immediately before the event. Chick-fil-A recommends reheating these products in a 325-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 15 minutes (give or take), or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to transfer the food to a cookie or baking sheet — don't use the original tray. 

Chick-fil-A food is delicious and loved by many. It could be an excellent pick the next time you host a get-together. However, if you're only having a few people over, you might think you won't meet catering minimums to justify the delivery price. Think again. Fortunately, you don't have to rule out Chick-fil-A catering your party.

When you pick up a catering order from the store yourself, instead of having it delivered, there is no order minimum. That means you could just order a few trays of your favorites to keep costs down and keep your guests happy.

Sandwiches, wraps, nuggets, and salads, for example, are available in quantities of just 10, which may be ideal for your smaller gathering. Even fully packaged meals with an entrée, side, and dessert can be ordered in a quantity of just 10.

Keeping beverages cool for picnics and other events makes them all the more refreshing. The next time you need some ice to keep drinks — or other items — cool, save yourself the hassle of running into the grocery store. Instead, stop by Chick-fil-A and order a bag of ice. Yes, you read that right. Plus, if your local restaurant has a drive-thru, you won't need to go inside to get it.

In addition to picking up a bag of ice in the store or through the drive-thru, you can also order bags of ice with a catering order. When you order for catering, you'll even receive a bucket and a scoop with your bag of ice, making it the perfect pairing for those gallons of your favorite Chick-fil-A beverages. And remember, there is no minimum for catering if you're going to pick up the order yourself. So, if you plan ahead, you can grab just the bag of ice, bucket, and scoop for any event, even if you won't be serving Chick-fil-A food.