Eating healthy at fast food restaurants sometimes proves difficult. Many customers depend on adding a side salad, fruit, or healthy protein like grilled chicken to balance out fried meals high in synthetic ingredients and low in nutrients. Unfortunately, it may be even harder for customers to eat healthy going forward at Chick-fil-A—the popular fried chicken chain just announced they are removing their side salad from the menu!
READ MORE: 4 Weight Loss-Friendly Fast Food Swaps Nutritionists Want You To Make At The Drive-Thru
Chick-fil-A Removing Side Salads From The Menu Nationwide
If you’re wondering if the side salads are getting axed from your nearest location—we have some sad news to share. A representative from Chick-fil-A told Today that the chain is taking the side salad off the menu nationwide. The rep stated, “in order for our Restaurant Team Members to continue to deliver quality food and signature hospitality, at times we have to make difficult decisions to help simplify our menu. Starting April 3, the Chick-fil-A Side Salad will no longer be offered in our U.S. restaurants.”
According to Today, the chain noted that they are still keeping the Kale Crunch Side Salad around, and also adding it to the menu as a large salad, for those still interested in choosing a green option.
Spring is here, and we are taking the opportunity to refresh our menu. Starting April 3rd, our Side Salad will no longer be offered on the Chick-fil-A menu. We want to continue providing you with quality food and service. We apologize for the inconvenience. pic.twitter.com/7PIyMYfEF2
— CFA Seguin Rd/FM 78 (@CFASeguinRdFM78) March 21, 2023
Chick-fil-A locations around the country have begun releasing farewell flyers bidding adieu to the side salad and posting them across their social media pages. Employees at one outpost in McKinney, TX went viral for their TikTok memorial video of the side salad, which now has over 700k views.
@cfalakeforestand380 We are sad to announce that come April 3rd we will no longer be selling the side salad. Although this is heartbreaking for some new things are to come! #ripsidesalad #cfa #chickfila #cfalakeforestand380 #chickfilamckinney #mckinneytx #mckinney #sad ♬ Angel – Sarah McLachlan
Customers React To Chick-fil-A’s Side Salad Farewell
Not surprisingly, fans of the menu option took to the Internet to voice their disappointment.
Y’all I’m so torn up over losing Chick-fil-A’s side salad. I literally get it every time.
— Madi J. Whitley – Author (@madijwrites) March 22, 2023
“My store is losing it in April. I’m sad. I believe it’s getting axed due to low purchases. I probably will just get fruit and say screw it to salads. I hate kale,” said one fan on Reddit. “I’m ordering side salads with every meal now to skew their numbers,” replied one user.
“I will miss you, side salad, you have been my go-to with your avocado lime ranch, and crunchy peppers for many years,” another Redditor poetically chimed in.
Even a Chick-fil-A worker jumped into the conversation, adding, “As a team member, I’m annoyed too. Our whole store knows that I order a side salad with no cheese every shift,” they said. “I also don’t want the hassle of having to explain to customers why it’s gone.”
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Healthy Alternatives Still Available At Chick-fil-A
1. Kale Crunch Salad
If you are still looking to pop a side salad onto your order, you can choose the Kale Crunch Side Salad, which includes “a blend of curly kale and green cabbage tossed with an apple cider and dijon vinaigrette,” according to their online menu. Sadly, this will be the only side salad to choose from, but at least they are still keeping one around.
2. Market Salad
While the chain is decreasing its footprint with side salads, it will continue to offer full-sized options. Chick-fil-A offers main salads including the Cobb Salad, the Spicy Southwest Salad, and the Market Salad, which nutritionists say is one of the healthier fast food options you can choose. Lisa Richards, nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet, told us that the salad “is loaded with nutrient-rich ingredients including grilled chicken breast served on a fresh bed of mixed greens, topped with crumbled blue cheese and a mix of red and green apples, strawberries and blueberries.” Richards noted that the fruits are rich in antioxidants and low in sugar, and the chicken and blue cheese provide healthy sources of protein.
3. Grilled Chicken Sandwich
The Grilled Chicken Sandwich may be the healthiest sandwich on Chick-fil-A’s menu, other than the plant-based cauliflower sandwich which was teased at select locations this winter. The sandwich has the lowest amount of calories (380 calories) of all chicken sandwiches on the menu and a high amount of healthy protein (28g!).
