The fast-food chain Chick-fil-A has added another Southern staple to its menu of fried chicken - waffles.
Chick-fil-A has introduced a breakfast menu including the traditional chicken and waffles. The company announced four regional markets would test the menu, which could eventually go national.
In addition to the Chicken & Waffle breakfast, the restaurants will also serve an Egg White Chicken Grill, Greek Yogurt Parfait, Multigrain Oatmeal and Cinnamon Swirls. The menu options will be available in greater Philadelphia, Inland Empire, California, Middle Georgia and Memphis, Tennessee.
"As our customer base continues to grow, so does the variety of our customers' appetites and dietary preferences," said Brian Wray, manager of menu development for Chick-fil-A Inc. "We feel these items will help broaden the appeal of our breakfast menu to a more diverse audience, while maintaining quality and consistency customers have come to expect from Chick-fil-A."
The Chicken & Waffle is a "sweet and savory" choice compared to the other "lower-calorie, 'better for you' entrees" (not including the Cinnamon Swirls), according to the company. The chicken is a boneless breast hand-breaded and cooked in 100 percent peanut oil. It's served alongside a "warm Belgian-style waffle with a unique caramelized sugar crunch."
The breakfast menu coincides with the fast-food chain's nationwide introduction of a new coffee program. Chick-fil-A partnered with THRIVE Farmers Coffee, making it the only U.S. fast-food company to serve specialty-grade hot coffee, its website revealed. The coffee company uses a farmer-direct model which better benefits the Central American coffee farmers.
Chick-fil-A joins Taco Bell, who introduced a breakfast menu in March, to compete with fast-food giant McDonald's morning option. The taco chain offers a Waffle Taco, the A.M. Crunchwrap, the A.M. Grilled Taco, Cinnabon Delights and the Grande Scrambler Burrito with Steak.
