Chick-fil-A is known for their delicious chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. Many customers wonder if the fries at Chick-fil-A are made fresh in store every day or if they come frozen and are simply reheated. This article will examine how Chick-fil-A makes their fries, looking at the preparation process, ingredients, and policies to determine if they can be considered truly fresh fries. We’ll also overview some pros and cons of fresh cut versus frozen fries.
Are Chick-fil-A fries made fresh in store?
Yes, the fries served at Chick-fil-A are cut and prepared fresh in each restaurant every day. Employees peel, cut, and fry potatoes to make Chick-fil-A’s signature waffle fries. The potatoes are sourced from trusted local and regional suppliers and delivered fresh, not frozen, to each restaurant.
According to Chick-fil-A, their fries are always made in-house and never frozen. Their restaurants do not have freezers to store frozen fries. Every morning, team members slice whole potatoes by hand using a specialized machine to cut the signature waffle shape. The raw fries are then soaked in water to remove starch and fried in canola oil when orders come in to ensure freshness.
So while some fast food chains rely on frozen pre-cut french fries that are simply reheated and served, Chick-fil-A puts in the extra effort to make their fries fresh daily. This requires more prep work but results in a fresher, crisper fry.
The Process of Making Chick-fil-A’s Fries
Here is an overview of the steps Chick-fil-A employees take to make fries fresh in store:
– Potatoes are delivered to each restaurant daily. Russet potatoes are most commonly used for their fluffy texture.
– Employees hand sort through the potatoes, removing any that are bruised or damaged. Only high quality potatoes make the cut.
– The potatoes are rinsed thoroughly and peeled. Peels are removed using an abrasive peeler machine.
– Then the peeled potatoes are sliced into waffle shaped fries using a specialized cutter that presses the potato against blades.
– The raw cut fries are soaked in water to remove excess starch. This helps reduce browning and leads to a crispier fry.
– Fries are blanched in oil heated to 300°F for 1-2 minutes. This cooks them partially through and drives off moisture.
– Blanched fries are cooled then frozen for 30-45 minutes. This stops the cooking process.
– When an order comes in, the par-fried fries are fried again in oil heated to 350°F until golden brown and crisp.
– Fries are seasoned immediately with a mixture of salt and other proprietary seasonings.
– The hot fries are served in the iconic red fry boxes alongside fresh chicken sandwiches.
As you can see, there are several steps involved in taking whole potatoes and turning them into Chick-fil-A’s signature waffle fries. Each restaurant adheres to this process daily.
Are the potatoes used by Chick-fil-A fresh?
Yes, Chick-fil-A uses fresh, not frozen potatoes to make their fries in restaurant. The potatoes are sourced from local and regional growers and delivered fresh multiple times per week. Since Chick-fil-A goes through a high volume of spuds for their fries, they need frequent deliveries of fresh potatoes versus relying on frozen potatoes.
According to Chick-fil-A, they only partner with suppliers who share their commitment to quality ingredients. Their potato suppliers are carefully selected to provide consistent quality and freshness. The suppliers must follow best practices for potato farming, storage, and transportation to maintain freshness.
The fresh potatoes used for fries are not pre-treated with chemicals or additives either. They are simply whole, raw potatoes until they are prepared in store. So not only are the fries themselves made fresh, but Chick-fil-A starts with fresh, high quality potatoes as the main ingredient.
Why does Chick-fil-A make their fries fresh?
There are a few key reasons why Chick-fil-A insists on making fries fresh in store rather than using frozen pre-cut fries:
– **Fresher, better taste** – Freshly made fries simply taste better. The texture is crisper and the potato flavor more pronounced. Frozen fries can taste stale in comparison.
– **Quality and consistency** – Chick-fil-A can better control the preparation, ingredients, and outcome when fries are made in house. This ensures every batch meets their high standards.
– **Food safety** – With no freezing involved, there is less chance for contamination. Fresh fries have a lower risk of pathogens.
– **Customer perception** – Advertising their fries as always “freshly-made” gives customers a positive perception about their commitment to quality.
– **Competitive edge** – The effort of hand-cutting potatoes helps differentiate Chick-fil-A from other quick service restaurants that rely on frozen pre-cut fries.
So although fresh preparation requires more work, Chick-fil-A believes it results in superior fries that support their overall brand promise. The hands-on approach allows them to better oversee the process from potato to finished fry.
Pros and Cons of Fresh Cut vs. Frozen Fries
Here is a comparison of some pros and cons of fresh cut versus frozen french fries:
| Fresh Cut Fries | Frozen Fries |
|---|---|
|
Pros: – Better potato flavor – Crispier texture – Lower chance of contamination – Custom cuts possible – Positive customer perception |
Pros: – More convenient – Consistent quality – Available year-round – Requires less labor – Lower waste |
|
Cons: – More labor intensive – Higher waste – Variable yield – Need fresh potato supply – Higher staff training |
Cons: – Less “fresh” appeal – Lower potato flavor – Can have freezer burn – Limited cut options – Higher food safety risk |
As shown, fresh cut fries require more work but offer a superior flavor and texture. Frozen fries are more convenient and consistent but lack the same fresh appeal. Chick-fil-A clearly believes the benefits of fresh preparation are worth the extra effort.
Do all Chick-fil-A locations make fries fresh?
Yes, the process of hand-cutting and preparing fries fresh in store applies to all Chick-fil-A locations. The company is very strict about adhering to their quality and preparation standards. Customers can expect freshly made waffle fries no matter what Chick-fil-A they visit.
Some key facts about Chick-fil-A fries:
– There are over 2,600 Chick-fil-A restaurants in 47 states and Washington D.C.
– Every single restaurant serves fries prepared fresh daily – none use frozen pre-cut fries.
– Over 3 million pounds of potatoes are used per week systemwide for fries.
– Each restaurant goes through about 50 pounds of potatoes daily just for fries.
– Team members hand-cut fries themselves rather than using automated cutters to maintain quality control.
– Chick-fil-A’s unique waffle cut shape means fries cannot be pre-made off site.
So regardless of location, customers can be assured they are getting hot, crispy waffle fries made from scratch in store that day when visiting Chick-fil-A. The commitment to fresh preparation is systemwide.
How long does Chick-fil-A soak their fries before frying?
Chick-fil-A typically soaks their hand cut fries in water for 5-10 minutes prior to frying. The raw fries are placed in cold water immediately after cutting.
Soaking serves a few purposes:
– Removes excess starch from the potato surface – This helps reduce browning and leads to a crisper fry.
– Cleans off residue from cutting – Small bits of potato and skin get washed away.
– Hydrates the potatoes – Water can penetrate into the fries so they fry up fluffier inside.
– Makes fries float – The waterlogged fries will float to the top of the oil instead of sinking during frying. Even cooking is easier.
– Cools potatoes – If potatoes were fried immediately after cutting, carryover cooking would lead to overdone fries.
The soaking step is timed carefully. Too short and fries won’t reap the benefits. Too long, and they can become waterlogged. 5-10 minutes is optimal for most fry sizes. Chick-fil-A likely uses timings on the shorter side since their waffle cut absorbs water faster.
Soaking is one of several steps that Chick-fil-A employs in their fresh-cut fry process to maximize quality and flavor. It may seem minor but helps unlock the perfect crispness customers love.
What type of oil is used to fry Chick-fil-A fries?
Chick-fil-A fries their potatoes exclusively in 100% refined peanut oil. This is the same oil they use for all of their fried menu items, including chicken pieces.
Here are some key facts about Chick-fil-A’s frying oil:
– It is pure peanut oil with all allergens removed during refinement. Chick-fil-A advertises the oil as non-allergenic.
– The peanut oil has a high smoke point of 450°F, ideal for frying.
– It is low in saturated fat and high in heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
– The oil is non-GMO and free of trans fats.
– For quality control, cooking oil is filtered and replaced frequently.
– Waste oil is recycled into biodiesel fuel.
So Chick-fil-A specially chose refined peanut oil for its nutritional profile, frying performance, and neutral taste that doesn’t overpower food flavors. The high heat tolerance allows the oil to withstand frying while maintaining quality longer. And frequent filtration and replacement ensures freshness.
Many customers aren’t even aware their waffle fries are fried in peanut oil since highly refined versions contain only trace amounts of peanut proteins. The result is an allergy-friendly oil that offers health and functional benefits compared to alternatives like soybean or cottonseed oil. Overall, a wise oil choice by Chick-fil-A.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chick-fil-A does indeed make their fries fresh in store every day. Unlike many quick service restaurants, Chick-fil-A does not use frozen pre-cut fries. Their signature waffle fries are hand cut from whole potatoes delivered fresh to each location. Crew members peel, cut, blanch, and fry the potatoes, following a meticulous process perfected by the company.
Chick-fil-A sources high quality potatoes, uses peanut oil, and adheres to strict standards so customers can enjoy hot, crispy, great-tasting waffle fries systemwide. Their commitment to always serving fresh fries requires more work but aligns with their brand promise of premium ingredients and preparation. So next time you bite into those perfectly crisp fries with fluffy centers at Chick-fil-A, you can be assured they were made fresh that day!