Dive Brief:
- Chick-fil-A added two new beverage platforms, Frosted Sodas and Floats, to its permanent menu on Monday, the company said in a press release.
- The Frosted Sodas consist of Chick-fil-A’s Icedream soft serve blended with a fountain drink, while Floats have the soft serve layered inside.
- These beverage additions significantly strengthen Chick-fil-A’s premium beverage lineup and its offerings for snack and dessert occasions, an early sign that 2026 will see continued QSR drink innovation.
Dive Insight:
The new beverage platforms may avoid adding much operational complexity to Chick-fil-A’s stores. They combine two things the company already sells — soft serve and soda — and Chick-fil-A already has mixers installed in-store for its milkshakes. These factors could help the chain avoid the threat added complexity poses to the success of otherwise popular menu additions.
Chick-fil-A signaled a greater emphasis on beverages late last year with the launch of its Daybright spinoff concept, which serves smoothies, coffees and iced tea. But the Frosted Sodas and Floats are more aligned with CFA’s traditional QSR offerings. The brand said the platforms were “inspired by nostalgic soda fountain favorites.”
Core flavors include Dr. Pepper, Coca-Cola and Sprite, but consumers can try other options, including Fanta, Powerade, Hi-C, and Barq’s Root Beer, according to the press release.
Chick-fil-A is accompanying the menu launch with a marketing campaign centered on the brand’s 80th anniversary. The brand is selling several retro-style collectible cups, and rolled out throwback packaging for its chicken sandwich meal, according to the press release. The brand dubbed its effort to mix retro collectibles with menu innovation and modern branding “Newstalgia.”
Premium beverage competition is heating up in the QSR sector, as brands compete to bring in Gen Z consumers for high-margin products. Sonic added a similar slate of beverages in 2024. KFC U.K. is in the process of testing milkshakes, after Yum Brands found consumers were willing to expand the range of drinks they’d order from QSRs. McDonald’s, too, is testing new premium drinks.
