> At a Glance
> – Chick-fil-A’s 80th birthday kicks off Jan. 5 with a yearlong celebration.
> – 3,000 limited-edition Gold Fan Cups hide a prize card for 52 free entrées.
> – Two Icedream-based drinks-Frosted Sodas and Floats-join the menu permanently.
> – Why it matters: Fans can score free food for a year and taste the chain’s first “dirty soda” spin without waiting for a limited run.
Chick-fil-A is flipping the calendar back to 1946 with retro cups, new desserts, and a sweepstakes that could keep your lunch paid for until 2026.
How to Snag Free Food for a Year
Starting Jan. 5, buy any of four retro cup designs for $3.99 while supplies last. Inside 3,000 random “Classic” sleeves waits a Gold Fan Cup and a winning card.
How the prize works:
- Scan the QR code on the inserted card.
- Redeem 52 entrées-Original Chicken Sandwiches, Nuggets, or other core items-at participating stores.
- Winners have already started posting victories online.
New Permanent Menu Additions
The chain’s soft-serve Icedream now stars in two hand-spun creations available every day:
- Frosted Sodas-your choice of fountain drink blended with Icedream for a creamy “dirty soda.”
- Floats-soda layered over Icedream for a fizzy, spoon-able treat.
Flavor lineup includes Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, Sprite, Fanta, Powerade, Hi-C, Barq’s Root Beer, and diet options.
Anniversary Merch and Retro Packaging
- Specialty Plush Cows with rotating designs will appear in restaurants all year.
- The Original Chicken Sandwich Meal (sandwich, Waffle Potato Fries, drink) ships in throwback packaging inspired by 1940s branding.
- Full apparel and accessory line drops on shop.chick-fil-a.com.
Khalilah Cooper, VP of brand strategy, advertising and media, said the company wants guests to “celebrate our heritage while looking ahead to the future with us.”
Key Takeaways
- Celebration runs 12 months, not a single-day promo.
- Gold Fan Cups are indistinguishable from regular cups until unwrapped, keeping the hunt random.
- New Frosted Sodas and Floats mark Chick-fil-A’s first permanent dessert beverages spun with soda.
Whether you’re chasing a golden cup or just craving a frosted Coke, the chicken chain’s 80th birthday promises new flavors and free food all year long.
