Chick-fil-A has quietly reversed a controversial tweak to one of its most beloved menu items.
The fast food chain confirmed Tuesday that it has removed pea starch from its waffle fries after months of complaints from customers who said the change ruined the iconic side.
The ingredient was added in late 2024, when the company announced a ‘slight adjustment’ designed to improve texture.
At the time, Chick-fil-A said the coating – made using starch derived from yellow peas after protein and fiber are removed – would help fries ‘stay crispier, longer’.
Customers were quick to complain that the addition, which is common in dog food, ruined the fries. The backlash was even linked by some fans to Chick-fil-A losing its long-held spot as America’s favorite fast food chain.
Now, Chick-fil-A fans are celebrating the return of the waffle fries’ original recipe.
‘I’m gonna miss that pea starch. Said no one,’ someone wrote on Reddit.
Another added: ‘As someone who hates the pea starch, I had their fries the other day and can confirm that they tasted how they used to.’
Chick-fil-A has made a big change to one of its signature menu items
The fast food chain confirmed that it has removed an unpopular ingredient from its waffle fries
The chain previously claimed the ingredient – a carbohydrate derived from yellow peas by removing protein and fiber – would make the waffle fries ‘stay crispier, longer’
‘Legitimately had CFA for lunch this week and said, hey, the fries are really good today. They must have figured out how to cook them right,’ someone else wrote.
‘I noticed they taste so much better again! Hell yeah,’ a different user said.
The change comes just months after Chick-fil-A rolled out new menu items to celebrate its 80th birthday.
It added Frosted Soda, a retro-style drink that blends soda with Icedream, Chick-fil-A’s signature version of ice cream.
Meanwhile, in September, Chick-fil-A unveiled its first drinks-focused café, Daybright, which opened in the greater Atlanta area and is operated by subsidiary Red Wagon.
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Chick-fil-A makes recipe change to waffle fries after fan backlash
Dining and Cooking