Chick-fil-A is catching heat for the downward trajectory of one of its signature sandwiches.
The conversation was ignited by a Reddit user who shared before-and-after photos comparing their Chick-fil-A Deluxe Sandwich order from today with one from 2021.
While both were served with lettuce, a sliced tomato, and homophobia, the 2K26 version was decidedly flatter with a meager-looking patty.
The original poster explained that they tried to rectify the fowl-gone-afoul situation.
“I went back to the store and told them that it looked like someone stepped on it… they remade it and still failed to make it at least resemble the photo I posted.”
Commentators were quick to call the downturn the latest example of “Shrinkflation.”
“Happened to every corporate entity in the world,” said one, while another defended Popeye’s, maintaining that the “Louisiana fast” chicken sandwich has remained consistent in size and the absence of homophobia.
Others noted that the before-and-after photos themselves might be to blame for the inconsistency.
“One is held up, pinched with the chicken sticking out like a push-up bra, one is held normally.”
Last year, Chick-Fil-A was included in the Eat This, Not That! roundup of “7 Restaurant Chains Where Portions Are Shrinking,” which cited reduced chicken breast portions and smaller waffle fries.
Many on Reddit noted that Chick-Fil-A’s chicken has also deteriorated in quality over the years.
“The quality has absolutely nose dived in the last 2-3 years, it’s so sad. Worse quality, thin, stringy chicken, oily buns that fall apart, weird tasting fries,” said a disgruntled former fan.
Another added that the offending patties are the result of Chick-Fil-A sourcing poultry afflicted with ‘woody breast’, a muscle disorder caused by rapid growth in industrial farming that results in tough, fibrous meat.
Chick-fil-A might also not give a cluck about egg quality.
While the company once pledged to ditch conventional eggs entirely and go 100% cage free by the end of 2026, it seems that promise has been scrambled.
While Chick-Fil-A’s Corporate Purpose is “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A,” that glory allegedly hinges on franchise location. “My local Chick-Fil-A consistently looks like your ‘before’ pic,” offered a commenter.
“I think quality and shrinkflation issues depend on location and owner-operator/management. Not sure what the solution is, but at least contact customer service and complain so that the store gets the feedback,” they added.
Chick-Fil-A employees also entered the fried fray.
“Guys, I work at Chick-fil-A. Have for years. I swear to God, we haven’t changed anything in our sandwich recipes other than a slightly different batter (coater) for the sandwiches,” they wrote.
“This is just a very good sandwich and a very poorly made one side by side. Your average experience will likely land in the middle of these,” they added.
“As someone who works at CFA, I don’t see why people are surprised by this,” they wrote.
“It’s a company, a business first and foremost. Meaning it’s all about making its investors’ money, and one way to do that is by cutting costs. Including the food itself.”
This is not the only recent beef Chick-Fil-A has had over breasts: eight employees were fired after a TikTok video featuring them shaking their chests to a mashup of “Wanna Mingle x Top of the Cars” went viral last month.
Chick-fil-A has not responded to requests for comment.
