Chick-fil-A wakes up! A well-known conservative fast-food chain is testing a $7 plant-based cauliflower sandwich that’s more expensive than the chicken original
- The 77-year-old fast-food chain announced on Feb. 13 that they were testing a Chick-fil-A cauliflower sandwich at three locations
- residents of Denver, Colorado; Charleston, South Carolina; and Greensboro, North Carolina can sample the new offering
- The new sandwich has deeply divided fast-food lovers, with some welcoming it, others saying it’s a silly sideline to its core offering
Fast-food lovers are deeply divided over the launch of a new Chick-fil-A cauliflower sandwich, with some welcoming the addition while others reacted in horror at the 77-year-old chain’s “waking up”.
The Atlanta, Georgia-based, family-owned company announced on Feb. 13 that it is testing the new plant-based sandwich in three locations: Denver, Colorado; Charleston, South Carolina and Greensboro, North Carolina.
The $7 sandwich doesn’t contain any meat but isn’t considered fully vegetarian “due to its cooking environment,” Chick-fil-A said. A standard Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich can be as low as $3.05 in cities testing the plant-based newcomer
Cauliflower is breaded and fried in peanut oil and served with pickles in a toasted bun — but the sandwich isn’t considered vegetarian or vegan because it’s cooked in oil, which is also used to fry chicken sandwiches.
The company has yet to respond to ‘s question as to whether it was cooked in the same oil as their chicken.
“The cauliflower sandwich is plant-centric as it puts a tender fillet of a whole cauliflower at the center of the main course,” the company said.
“It’s a great option for those who want to include more vegetables in their diet without sacrificing the Chick-fil-A flavors they know and love.”
Some have reacted with surprise at Chick-fil-A’s conservative stance.
The company’s founder, Truett Cathy, was a fervent Christian and insisted its restaurants be closed on Sundays – as they remain to this day.
Her company’s mission statement states that her goal is “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all entrusted to us and to be a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A .”
Foodies have posted their reactions to the sandwich online.
A TikToker, @morganchompz, posted her own video review on Tuesday, with the clip going viral with over 1.7 million views.
@MorganChompz reviewed the new sandwich on TikTok
She complained that there was too much breading and not enough cauliflower
“It really looks like a regular chicken sandwich, but it smells like cauliflower,” she said, adding that it was high in breading but low in actual cauliflower.
Their final verdict was that the sandwich tasted mostly like a “pan filet.”
Others on Twitter complained that the company was deviating from its core offering and indulging in new fads.
“Wow the Christian company @Chick-fil-A woke up too,” said one.
Another added: “You do not allow comments on your original tweet. That tells me everything I need to know. Don’t spend another cent on your alert agenda.”
And another said, ‘Although I don’t mind cauliflower… Hell, I’ll go to a chicken restaurant and order cauliflower.’
Others were more supportive of the launch.
“It’s not awakened to having that option,” one man pointed out.
“There are conservatives like me who are also vegetarians and vegans. If I find one I’ll try it and see how it holds up. No big deal really. If it works, it works. It’s good to have another option besides salad.’
Another added: “People have strong feelings about this! No one is taking away your chicken sandwiches or forcing you to eat them, it’s just a new option.”
And another explained: “I’ve waited so long!!
“I love the veggie wrap, but I also wanted a sandwich! I’m so excited! Please keep it on the menu and take it to every @Chick-fil-A in the States…especially Waterloo, Iowa!