As a self-proclaimed Chick-fil-A connoisseur and savvy shopper, I‘m always looking for the most convenient ways to pay for my favorite chicken sandwich combo. While I love racking up points on my Chick-fil-A One app, I know many customers still prefer good old fashioned cash. In this ultimate guide, I‘ll break down everything you need to know about using cash and other payment methods at the beloved fast-food chain.
Chick-fil-A‘s Current Cash Policy
Let‘s cut to the chase: yes, Chick-fil-A does accept cash at the vast majority of its restaurants as of 2024. Whether you‘re dining in, carrying out, or hitting the drive-thru, you can pay for your order with physical bills and coins along with other options like credit/debit cards and mobile wallets.
"Our goal is to provide a convenient experience for all guests, however they prefer to pay," said Whitney Greer, a representative from Chick-fil-A‘s corporate office I spoke to for this article. "While we‘ve seen an increase in mobile and card payments in recent years, we recognize that cash is still an important option for many of our customers."
The Nitty Gritty of Paying in Cash
So how exactly does it work to pay with cash at Chick-fil-A? It‘s a pretty straightforward process:
- Place your order at the counter or drive-thru
- When prompted for payment, let the team member know you‘re paying cash
- Hand over your bills and coins
- Collect your change (if any)
- Wait for your delicious food to be prepared
- Enjoy your meal!
Cashiers at Chick-fil-A are well-trained to handle cash transactions quickly and accurately. At higher volume locations, you may see a separate cash booth to keep the line moving efficiently, especially in the drive-thru.
It‘s worth noting that you cannot use cash when placing a mobile order ahead for pickup in the Chick-fil-A app. All in-app payments must be made with a credit/debit card or linked digital wallet at the time of ordering. The same applies to delivery orders made through the app or third-party services like DoorDash (more on that later).
Cash Payments by the Numbers
Just how many Chick-fil-A customers are still paying with cash these days? While the company doesn‘t release detailed breakdowns, industry data suggests it‘s still a significant chunk.
According to the Federal Reserve‘s 2022 Payments Study, cash accounted for 20% of all payments in the U.S., including 29% of in-person payments. For transactions under $25 (i.e. a typical Chick-fil-A order), cash was used 35% of the time.
"Even in our increasingly digital world, cash remains a preferred option for many consumers, especially for everyday purchases like fast-food," said Barbara Briggs, a payments industry analyst I interviewed. "Businesses that cater to a wide demographic, like Chick-fil-A, are wise to keep accepting it even as they expand mobile payment options."
A Chick-fil-A franchise owner I spoke with in Atlanta (who asked to remain anonymous) shared that cash makes up roughly 15-20% of sales at his locations, down from 25-30% a few years ago. Drive-thru sees a higher percentage of cash users compared to in-restaurant.
The Pros and Cons of Accepting Cash for Chick-fil-A
As a privately-held company, Chick-fil-A carefully considers the operational and financial implications of all business decisions, including its cash policy. Let‘s examine some of the key advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
- Supports financial inclusion for underbanked customers
- Maintains positive customer experience for cash users
- Aligns with founding principles of serving the whole community
- Avoids excluding customers in areas with regulatory cash requirements
- Preserves alternative in case of electronic payment system outages
Disadvantages:
- Slower transaction times compared to electronic methods
- Increased cash management costs (employee time, banking fees, security)
- Potential for human error or theft in the handling process
- Less customer data collected compared to app/card payments
- Sanitation risks from high volume of cash changing hands
"There‘s certainly an element of tradition to Chick-fil-A keeping cash as long as it has," said Briggs. "Especially for older generations that grew up with cash and are used to that personal interaction. At the same time, Chick-fil-A has invested heavily in digital tools to draw customers to its app with customized rewards and promotions."
Looking at their annual franchise disclosure documents, Chick-fil-A restaurants have seen steady growth in mobile app sales, which tend to have higher average order values than in-person. Corporate provides incentives for franchise operators to boost app adoption and usage in their customer base.
What Would Happen if Chick-fil-A Went Cashless?
Some of Chick-fil-A‘s fast-casual competitors like Sweetgreen and Tender Greens have eliminated cash altogether in the name of efficiency. It‘s not hard to imagine a future in which more chains follow suit, especially with advancements in mobile wallets and app payments.
However, experts I talked to believe Chick-fil-A is unlikely to go fully cashless anytime soon, even if cash usage continues to decline.
"It would be very off-brand for Chick-fil-A to tell a segment of cash-preferred customers they‘re no longer welcome," said Greer. "We are in the people business and are committed to gracious hospitality for all. Unless regulatory trends or broader consumer behaviors force our hand, we will keep accepting cash as an inclusive option."
Eliminating cash could also have unintended consequences in certain communities. According to FDIC data, 7.1 million U.S. households were unbanked as of 2019, meaning they lack access to traditional banking services and rely primarily on cash. Rates are higher among lower-income, less-educated, and minority groups.
"For many hourly wage workers, including a fair number of Chick-fil-A team members, cash is still the primary way they make and spend their money," said the anonymous franchise owner. "Going cashless would put up a barrier for them to enjoy our food, both as customers and employees."
Some states and cities in the U.S. have passed laws in recent years that require stores to accept cash payments, in order to fight this exclusionary effect. Chick-fil-A has made clear it will comply with these mandates, even if cashless becomes the norm in other areas.
How Chick-fil-A Could Have Its Cash and Eat It Too
With all this in mind, is there a way for Chick-fil-A to keep accepting cash while still nudging more customers towards digital payment options? I posed this question to some of the experts and came away with a few creative ideas:
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Offer bonus points or exclusive rewards for customers who reload a Chick-fil-A gift card with cash in-restaurant, then use that card to pay in the app. This maintains a cash option while incentivizing the app payment.
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Install cash-to-card kiosks in restaurants where customers could insert cash and instantly load value onto their digital Chick-fil-A card.
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Implement a "round up for charity" program specifically for cash payments, where guests can round up their total to the nearest dollar and donate the change to a good cause. Sweetgreen had success with a similar initiative before going cashless.
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Launch a reloadable prepaid Chick-fil-A debit card that users could load with cash at the register or other locations, then use for in-app or online purchases.
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Explore partnerships with services like PayNearMe that allow users to pay in cash at convenience stores for online orders.
"The key is reducing friction in the payment process while still leaving the door open for cash as needed," said Briggs. "It‘s about maximizing choice and flexibility to keep customers happy and coming back."
The Global Perspective on Cash Payments
As a final point of comparison, I looked at how Chick-fil-A handles payments in its international markets. While the chain primarily operates in the U.S., it has a small but growing presence in Canada and the U.K., with potential expansion to other countries on the horizon.
Interestingly, Chick-fil-A‘s Canadian stores have already gone fully cashless, in line with the country‘s broader trend towards digital payments. Debit cards are the most common in-person payment method, and many quick-serve chains have eliminated cash altogether.
In the U.K., Chick-fil-A‘s handful of locations still accept cash (and must, under local regulations), but usage is significantly lower than in the U.S. Culturally, Britons tend to prefer contactless card or mobile payments even for small transactions these days.
"As Chick-fil-A grows internationally, I expect we‘ll see more of a patchwork approach to cash policies based on local norms and preferences," said Greer. "But as long as we have a major presence in the U.S., cash will likely remain an option for the foreseeable future."
Final Thoughts and Takeaways
Based on my research and analysis, here are the key points to remember about cash payments at Chick-fil-A:
- Cash is currently accepted at nearly all U.S. Chick-fil-A restaurants for in-person orders
- Paying with cash is not supported for mobile app orders or most third-party delivery
- Roughly 15-20% of Chick-fil-A sales are still made in cash, though this varies by location and service type
- Accepting cash aligns with Chick-fil-A‘s mission and values, despite some operational drawbacks
- Going fully cashless would risk alienating certain customer segments and may not be feasible in areas with legal requirements for cash payments
- There are ways Chick-fil-A could get creative with incentivizing digital payments while keeping a cash option available
- Cash policies at international Chick-fil-A locations vary based on local payment trends and regulations
At the end of the day, having a choice in how we pay is part of what creates a positive Chick-fil-A experience. Whether you‘re a devoted app user or an old-school cash carrier, you can feel confident that your money is good at the Home of the Original Chicken Sandwich.
The next time you‘re in line craving waffle fries and pining for a milkshake, take a moment to appreciate the subtle art of payments that happens before you dig in. And maybe even give your cashier a friendly "my pleasure" in return.
