Since the advent of the smartphone revolution, the world has changed at a drastic pace, and the restaurant industry is no exception. Many restaurant chains large and small have launched their own apps to make dining more convenient and offer rewards for their loyal customers. At EatDrinkDeals, we are committed to helping our users find the best restaurant apps to save money, no matter where the deals may be found. Therefore, we are starting a new series of reviews of restaurant apps. First up is one of the most popular ones around – Chick-fil-A.
We downloaded the Android app and off we went. Iphone users can download here at the App Store.
Want info on specials and deals at Chick-fil-A? Click here to visit the EatDrinkDeals Chick-Fil-A specials page!
Convenience and Reliability
We found the design and user interface to be appealing and easy to use. We logged in with an existing Google account. You can also log in with your Facebook account or create a separate Chick-fil-A One account. Payments can be set up with a credit card or with PayPal.
Hmmm… I think I’ll have some sort of chicken, please!
Ordering is easy. Select the Menu option and you will be asked to pick a location. You can allow the app to view your location if you want it to automatically find the nearest one. Or, you can search by city, state, or zip code. You can also add Favorites for quick access to your preferred spots near home, or work, or anywhere else. Once your order is complete, you’ll select a payment method and then you can head in to pick up your delicious bounty!
Pickup is generally handled in a separate area apart from the line for customers ordering on-site, but your local Chick-fil-A may use a different layout. Even if you’re planning on dining in the restaurant, you can use the app to avoid long lines during the busier times of the day. Note that you’ll need to tell the app when you’re there so that your food will be prepared. This is also when your selected credit card or PayPal account is charged. Chick-fil-A does this to ensure that your order will be hot and fresh. If you have hungry children (or hangry adults) in your crew, you may want to tell the app that you’ve arrived a few minutes before you actually get there. That way you can get right to eating!
Rewards and Savings
In response to customer feedback, Chick-fil-A revamped its app rewards in 2018. Now, customers can clearly see that every $1 spent equals 10 rewards points. Small items such as hash browns or a chocolate chunk cookie cost 150 points, with sandwiches and nuggets in the 500 – 1000 point range. The Cobb, Market or Spicy Southwest Salads are going to run you a whopping 1500 points, though. Points are redeemed by adding them to your order on the app, or by scanning them at the restaurant when you order in person. Loyal customers who accumulate 1000 points or 5000 points get Silver and Red status, respectively. This allows you to earn points 10-20% faster and gift rewards to friends and family. From time to time, you might be gifted rewards from your favorite locations, and you’ll get a birthday reward too. As far as other coupons and deals, Chick-fil-A doesn’t run much through the app.
Is Chick-fil-A one of the best restaurant apps to save your money?
9/10
Chick-fil-A has one of the best apps around. Ordering, payment and pickup are convenient, and we have almost never had problems with our pickups during repeated market testing. The rewards are pretty good, but there aren’t any special deals or coupons native to the app that you are missing out on if you don’t use it. Just remember to tell the app “I’m here” a bit ahead of time to avoid a wait, particularly during peak hours.
Next up: Chipotle
