Chick-fil-A does not serve lunch all day. Lunch begins only after breakfast ends, and most locations switch to the full lunch menu at 10:30 a.m.
Once that change happens, lunch items stay available through the rest of the day, usually until closing.
The transition is consistent, but exact times can vary slightly by restaurant.
What Time Does Lunch Start at Chick-fil-A?
Lunch at Chick-fil-A begins at 10:30 a.m. in most locations. That start time remains consistent across nearly all standard stores.
A few restaurants may adjust by a few minutes based on local operations, but 10:30 remains the standard across the chain.
Before 10:30 a.m., breakfast is the only option. Once the clock turns, the kitchen shifts completely to lunch service. No breakfast items appear after that time, and no lunch items appear before it.
Knowing what time lunch starts helps customers plan visits better. People who arrive before the switch will not be able to order items like chicken sandwiches, nuggets, or fries.
That changeover happens without overlap, and the kitchen follows a firm schedule to keep things moving.
Anyone arriving close to 10:30 can expect a short wait while the staff transitions. After that point, lunch is ready, served, and available through closing hours at all participating locations.
What Can You Order During Lunch Hours?
Customers can expect a range of grilled, crispy, spicy, and classic chicken choices. Lunch offerings include sandwiches, nuggets, strips, wraps, and salads.
All meals come with sides and optional drinks, including lemonade, iced tea, and soft drinks.
Every Chick-fil-A location follows a similar structure. Some local menus may include additional regional items, but most stores carry the same primary options.
Meals are available for individual orders or as part of combo sets with sides and drinks.
Below is a full list of Chick-fil-A’s standard lunch menu, including main items, sides, and salads.
| Menu Item | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich | Main | Fried boneless breast, pickles, buttered bun |
| Spicy Chicken Sandwich | Main | Fried spicy breast, pickles, toasted bun |
| Deluxe Chicken Sandwich | Main | Fried breast with lettuce, tomato, cheese |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | Main | Marinated grilled breast, lettuce, tomato, multigrain bun |
| Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich | Main | Grilled breast, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato |
| Chick-Fil-A Nuggets (8 or 12 ct) | Main | Bite-sized breaded chicken pieces |
| Grilled Nuggets (8 or 12 ct) | Main | Boneless grilled nuggets |
| Chick-n-Strips (3 or 4 ct) | Main | Breaded strips of whole chicken breast |
| Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap | Main | Sliced grilled chicken with lettuce and cheese in flax wrap |
| Cobb Salad | Salad | Mixed greens, nuggets, egg, cheese, corn, tomato |
| Spicy Southwest Salad | Salad | Spicy grilled chicken, lettuce, beans, corn, cheese |
| Market Salad | Salad | Grilled chicken, greens, fruit, nuts, blue cheese |
| Waffle Potato Fries | Side | Signature waffle-cut fries with salt |
| Side Salad | Side | Lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, red bell peppers |
| Chicken Soup | Side | Hearty soup with chicken and noodles |
| Mac & Cheese | Side | Cheddar-blend baked macaroni |
| Fruit Cup | Side | Fresh seasonal mix of fruits |
| Greek Yogurt Parfait | Side | Creamy yogurt with granola or cookie topping |
| Milkshake (Vanilla, Chocolate, etc.) | Dessert/Drink | Hand-spun shakes with whipped cream |
| Fresh Lemonade | Drink | Fresh-squeezed daily in-house |
| Iced Tea | Drink | Brewed sweet or unsweet tea |
Each of these items becomes available after the breakfast window closes. No substitutions or early orders for lunch are possible before 10:30 a.m.
Does Every Chick-fil-A Location Follow the Same Lunch Hours?
Most Chick-fil-A restaurants follow a standard time for lunch service. Lunch begins at 10:30 a.m. in nearly all locations and continues until closing.
That structure applies to mall outlets, standalone drive-thrus, and dine-in stores alike.
Even with this consistency, some small differences may occur based on region, volume, or store format.
High-traffic urban locations may prepare lunch items slightly earlier to meet demand. Airport stores sometimes adjust their schedule based on flight times and food court hours.
Every Chick-fil-A restaurant posts its operating hours online. The company website and mobile app both display when each location opens, closes, and switches from breakfast to lunch.
Although hours remain mostly fixed, always check with your local store before planning around a lunch order.
A quick check online or in the app gives the most reliable answer for that day and location.
Do Chick-fil-A Employees Get Free Lunch?
Chick-fil-A employees do receive meal benefits, but the exact policy can vary by location.
Each store operates under an individual owner-operator model, which means employee perks depend on that owner’s decisions.
Many locations offer free meals to employees who work a full shift. That usually includes one entree, a side, and a drink during a designated break period.
Some restaurants provide discounts instead of free meals, especially for shorter shifts or part-time roles.
Others give full-time staff a daily meal at no cost, regardless of hours worked.
Lunch meals given to staff often come from the standard menu. Chicken sandwiches, nuggets, wraps, and fries are usually included.
Certain items, like milkshakes or premium salads, may be excluded or require partial payment.
Do You Have to Wait for Breakfast to End Before Lunch Starts?
Yes, you do. Chick-fil-A does not serve lunch during breakfast hours. Customers must wait for the breakfast service to end before ordering any lunch items.
Breakfast usually ends at 10:30 a.m. Once that time arrives, the restaurant transitions to lunch.
Before the switch, only morning items were available. Chicken sandwiches, nuggets, and other lunch staples do not appear on the screen or the physical menu.
This schedule applies at nearly every Chick-fil-A location. Even if a store opens early, lunch still begins after breakfast closes.
The kitchen shifts entirely, and there is no crossover period. Orders placed before 10:30 are limited to breakfast only.
FAQs
Does Chick-Fil-A have a kids’ lunch menu?
Yes. Most locations offer smaller portion options like nuggets or strips with a side and drink for kids. These follow the lunch menu schedule.
Can you customize lunch items like sandwiches or salads?
Yes. Customers can modify toppings, sides, or ingredients using the app, kiosk, or by request in-store.
What happens if you arrive at Chick-fil-A at 10:25 a.m.?
You will only see breakfast items available. Staff will not serve lunch until the system switches to the lunch menu at 10:30 a.m. The rules are just as strict as in McDonald’s.
Can you get both breakfast and lunch in the same order?
No. Chick-fil-A does not allow mixing items across menus. Once lunch starts, breakfast is no longer available.
The Bottom Line
Chick-fil-A does not serve lunch all day. Lunch begins after breakfast ends, usually at 10:30 a.m., and stays available through closing.
Knowing that schedule helps you get exactly what you want, without guessing what menu is open.
