Chick-fil-A has long been known for its scrumptious chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and signature sauces. And while the popular fast-food chain is also no stranger to controversy (its chairman, Dan Cathy, was accused of donating millions of dollars to organizations that support anti-LGBTQ legislation), one fact is certain: Chick-fil-A's food is annoyingly delicious.
Now the chain is expanding its shop with a new line of sauce-themed merchandise. From bucket hats, water bottles, and watches to T-shirts, tote bags, and sneakers, die-hard Chick-fil-A fans can show off their love for the brand in a variety of colorful outfits and accessories. Full disclosure: I was getting ready to scoff and say, "Yikes, tacky much?" But in all realness, some of the fits do look pretty fresh.
Gettin' Saucy
One of the standout features of the new line is how customers can shop by "sauce." Each of Chick-fil-A's seven signature sauces — Chick-fil-A sauce, honey mustard, barbecue, Polynesian sauce, sweet & spicy sriracha, zesty buffalo, and garden herb ranch — has its own dedicated collection available in a different color palette and style. So whether you're a fan of the classic Chick-fil-A sauce, the tangy Polynesian sauce, or the sweet and spicy sriracha sauce, there are quite a few options to choose from. (Let's be real, the purple Polynesian line has no business dripping this hard).
“We wanted to create a way for fans to celebrate their favorite sauce flavors in style — beyond the restaurant," Sara Storck, Chick-fil-A senior director of brand strategy, said in a news release. "With signature sauce color palettes, the new merchandise line offers all the sauce, without the spill.”
Photo credit: Chick-fil-ADrippy or Problematic?
Although it's not uncommon for fast-food chains to release their own merchandise, not everyone is in favor of the trend. Mayukh Sen, an award-winning food and culture writer, criticized collaborations between fast-food companies and fashion brands, arguing that such partnerships "create a divide" between those who can afford to buy the merchandise and choose to eat fast food, and those who are struggling financially and can only afford to eat fast food.
"These companies, more often than not, want to generate publicity for their food through their merch, appealing to demographics they want to woo back to their restaurants, demographics who may have the monetary luxury of pursuing more healthful options," writes Sen.
Whether you're in the market for some new fits or simply love Chick-fil-A that much, the new merch line — which includes $60 watches and $80 sneakers — is undeniably pricey. But if you're still interested, it's easy to get your hands on the brand's new goodies. The sauce line is available for purchase online (with free shipping for orders $50 and above), through the Chick-fil-A app, and at select Chick-fil-A restaurants. Some items are limited edition, so fans will want to act fast to ensure they don't miss out, the company says.
The new sauce line marks Chick-fil-A's second merch drop, and coincides with the retail launch of the brand's bottled barbecue and sweet & spicy sriracha sauces. In November 2022, the company debuted its first "Originals" clothing line, which quickly sold out.
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