Alex Carson
Chick-fil-A
According to QSR Magazine, Chick-fil-A was ranked number 8 for United States fast-food sales in 2018. This fast-food restaurant outsold McDonald’s by $1.4 million. It also beats out its competitors, such as KFC and Popeye’s. While you may love the food, there are a few reasons why you should never eat at Chick-fil-A again. You might think that the food tastes great, but you might change your mind.
The Sandwiches Are Very Salty
Most people know that fast-food restaurants load their food with sodium. When you compare the amount of sodium that Chick-fil-A uses in their food compared to other fast foods, the results aren’t great. The McDonald’s McChicken sandwich has 590 mg of sodium, the Wendy’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich has 600 mg, and the CFA Chicken Sandwich has 1,350 mg. Since the recommended sodium intake per day is 2,300 mg, Chick-fil-A isn’t doing too good.
It’s Not That Great
The reason why Chick-fil-A uses so much salt is that boneless chicken breast doesn’t have much flavor. Overall, Chick-fil-A’s chicken has many problems. It has too much salt, too little fat that is necessary for taste, and very little crunch. The main flavor comes from the peanut oil the chicken is cooked in, and the neon green pickle. This just isn’t enough to make it taste great.
The Sauce Complicates Things
Because the chicken has very little flavor, Chick-fil-A offers their signature sauce. Creamy Garlic & Herb Ranch, Spicy Siracha, and the Classic Chick-fil-A sauce will give your food more flavor, but it can also be harmful. These sauces contain 13 grams of fat and 140 calories. On top of the already high-calorie sandwiches, it doesn’t make for a healthy meal.
The Fries Aren’t That Great
A good french fry is crispy on the outside, and soft in the middle. Chick-fil-A serves waffle fries, which aren’t as crispy as a good fry would be. They are pretty soggy, and if you dip them in ketchup, they are going to be even soggier. If you want an excellent fry that is crispy and chewy, you should order your fries from McDonald’s.
A History Of Employee Discrimination
Chick-fil-A has a corporate purpose that reads, “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to use and to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A.” This should lead you to believe that they don’t discriminate based on gender, disability, or other reason. Unfortunately, their track record shows different. They have been sued 12 times between 1988 and 2007 on charges of employment discrimination. The suits were brought about by a Muslim employee, female employees, and people with disabilities, among others.
You Might Disagree With Their Politics
Chick-fil-A has a history of making millions of dollar in donations to groups who are opposed to same-sex marriages. When LGBTQ groups became outraged, the COO of Chick-fil-A, Dan Cathy, admitted that he was guilty. In a statement, he admitted that he believes in the biblical definition o the family unit. Boycotts have sparked in retaliation, and many companies have severed ties with the restaurant. If you disagree with Chick-fil-A’s racist policies, you should avoid eating there. The last thing you want is to make Dan Cathy believe that he is a friendly, God-faring guy.
They Give Questionable Nutritional Advice
In 2016, Chick-fil-A started a “Great ideas for healthier living” ad campaign. They said that you should start eating smaller meals, such as an 8-count pack of grilled chicken nuggets every three to four hours. This equals up to 48 nuggets a day, which is far from healthy. Anyone who is dieting knows that eating fast food up to six times a day is unhealthy. If you are trying to lose weight and feel better about yourself, don’t follow the nutritional tips given by Chick-fil-A.
No More Coleslaw
In 2016, Chick-fil-A pulled the coleslaw from the menu and replaced it with kale salad. People were outraged and sent letters to the company. Rather than bringing back the coleslaw, they posted the recipe on their website. Sure, it’s great to have the recipe, but most people want to get it from the restaurant. It’s much easier that way. Also, many people who have tried to make Chick-fil-A’s signature coleslaw have complained that they can’t get it to taste the same. Whether they have changed the recipe online or if people just cannot get the right ingredients is unknown.
Others Are Doing It Better
At the end of the day, other chicken restaurants are doing it better than Chick-fil-A. Shake Shack’s Chick’n Shack reigns supreme over Chick-fil-A, as do many other fast-food restaurants who serve chicken sandwiches. If you want a good chicken sandwich, you should look beyond Chick-fil-A.
