There are some food pairings that seem obvious in retrospect once someone tries them. One of those is chicken and waffles. It’s a Southern mainstay with roots that, in some parts of the nation, qualify as cultural heritage. People took notice when Chick-fil-A discreetly tested a Chicken & Waffles sandwich at a few locations last year. It’s difficult not to wonder why it took so long for the chain to bring it to every location across the country on August 24.
Although the sandwich’s concept is simple, its execution is multi-layered. A Chick-fil-A chicken filet, three strips of applewood smoked bacon, a honey butter spread, and a side of syrup are all held together by a maple-flavored waffle that acts as the bun. Customers can select between the traditional original filet, a spicy version, or a grilled option. This is a wise decision given the conflicting opinions regarding the degree of heat in fast food. The breakfast version is smaller and is served until 10:30 a.m. You can get a larger entrée version that lasts until dinner if you order it starting at 10:30.
It’s the kind of product that sounds almost too decadent to be real, which is probably precisely why it created such a stir during its trial period. In a statement, Allison Duncan, director of menu and packaging at Chick-fil-A, said that the team “couldn’t wait” to expand it nationally due to the positive response from test markets. The foundation is undoubtedly there, but it remains to be seen if that enthusiasm translates smoothly across 3,000 locations.
Two drinks with a strong campfire vibe join the sandwich on the fall lineup. The S’mores Milkshake combines chocolate shortbread crumbles, graham cracker pieces, marshmallow-flavored syrup, and a marshmallow-flavored whipped topping with Chick-fil-A’s famous Icedream dessert. Similar methods are used in the S’mores Frosted Coffee, which starts with cold-brewed coffee and uses the same crumbles, syrup, and Icedream underneath. In the best sense, both are divisive ideas. You may or may not be the type of person who finds a s’mores milkshake to be ideal. There isn’t much room for compromise.
All of this is part of a larger initiative that Chick-fil-A has been discreetly developing throughout 2026: a year-long campaign dubbed “Newstalgia,” which is timed to commemorate the company’s 80th anniversary. As far as anyone can tell, the concept is to take well-known comfort foods and reinterpret them using the chain’s unique perspective. Thus far, this has resulted in new packaging, special merchandise, a resuscitation of Cow Appreciation Day, and the ongoing addition of Frosted Sodas and Floats to the menu. Comfort food tends to resonate more deeply in autumn, so the fall lineup seems like a logical continuation of that arc.
Here, Chick-fil-A seems to be taking a more calculated approach than a typical seasonal decline. With a devoted customer base, consistently long drive-through lines, and a deeper brand identity than most chains of its size, the company occupies a particular kind of cultural space in American fast food. The Chicken & Waffles Sandwich in particular seems to be made to create the kind of word-of-mouth that money can’t quite buy, so it makes sense to lean into nostalgia at the 80-year mark. If the test markets are any guide, this well-known flavor profile dressed up in a fast-food format seems to be working.
It’s another matter entirely whether the S’mores drinks endure beyond their novelty value. Repeat orders, not just initial curiosity, are what keep seasonal products alive. In 2026, the Milkshake and Frosted Coffee may disappear almost as quickly as they are introduced, so they will need to prove their worth after the initial social media craze. However, this fall lineup seems more thoughtful than most limited-time additions.
FAQs
Q1: When does the Chick-fil-A fall menu launch nationwide?
All new items hit locations on August 24, 2026.
Q2: What is the signature new sandwich in the fall lineup?
A maple waffle, chicken filet, bacon, and honey butter creation.
Q3: Can customers customize the Chicken & Waffles Sandwich?
Yes — original, spicy, or grilled filet options are available.
Q4: What are the two new drinks joining the fall menu?
A S’mores Milkshake and a S’mores Frosted Coffee.
Q5: Are the fall menu items permanent additions?
No — all three new items are limited-time offerings only.
Q6: What is the “Newstalgia” campaign Chick-fil-A is running?
An 80th anniversary celebration reimagining classic comfort flavors with unexpected twists.
