Starts the New Year with Resolution-Keeping Superfood
In an industry dominated by french fries as side items, Chick-fil-A will soon be one of the first fast food restaurants in the industry to add “superfoods” like kale and Broccolini® to its menu. Just in time to keep New Year’s resolutions, customers nationwide can order the low-calorie Superfood Side starting on January 18. The gourmet side was developed in collaboration with James Beard Award Nominee and Atlanta-based chef, Ford Fry of Ford Fry Restaurants.
The Superfood Side is made with a blend of hand-chopped kale and Broccolini, tossed in a sweet and tangy maple vinaigrette dressing and topped with flavorful dried sour cherries. It is served with a blend of roasted nuts (walnuts, almonds and pecans) that enhances the flavor and provides added crunch.
“I really enjoyed working with the culinary team from Chick-fil-A on incorporating ingredients that are unique to the industry,” said Fry. “We know that it can be challenging to eat healthy on-the-go, so we wanted to create something that customers will love eating that’s also nutritious.”
The side is available in 5 or 8-ounce servings, and priced starting at $2.59 for the 5 oz. and $3.79 for the 8 oz. portion. The Superfood Side will also be offered as a substitution in any combo meal for an upcharge of 94 cents.
“The Superfood Side is not something you would expect to see at a fast food restaurant, and we’re thrilled to kick off 2016 with something that can help people stick to their New Year’s resolutions to eat healthfully. Customers who have tried it rave about having an option that’s incredibly healthy where you don’t have to sacrifice great taste,” said David Farmer, vice president of menu strategy and development for Chick-fil-A. “We are always looking for new ways to introduce healthier and all-natural items to our customers, and in partnering with Ford to develop the Superfood Side, we are able to incorporate high-end restaurant flavors and ingredients to our menu.”
When paired with the company’s 100 percent breast meat Grilled Nuggets (eight-count) and a zero-calorie beverage, the Superfood Side allows customers to enjoy a full meal for only 280 calories. On its own, the Superfood Side has 140 calories and 7 grams of fat in the 5 oz. portion and 170 calories and 8 grams of fat in the 8 oz. portion.
According to Technomic, “Forty-seven percent of consumers with children aged 17 and under say they are more likely to visit restaurants with healthier options.” In 2014, Chick-fil-A introduced a new Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Grilled Nuggets to help meet the desires of its customers to eat more healthfully. These menu introductions continued the company’s trend of being first to market with nutritious menu options. Chick-fil-A was the first quick-service restaurant to offer a fruit cup as a side in 2004 and was the first in the industry to add a grilled entree to the Kids Meal in 2012.
For more information about Chick-fil-A and stories about the company’s food, people and customers across the country, visit Inside.Chick-fil-A.com.
1 Technomic Healthy Eating Consumer Trend Report, 2014
