This Monday kicked off Masters Week in Augusta, but it almost ended a long-standing menu item that proved more beloved than realized.
Chick-fil-A had initially planned to remove its side salad, starting April 3, in an attempt to “simplify and refresh” its menu.
“Yes, it is true,” said Mikayla Kenrick, who does marketing for the North Augusta Chick-fil-A on Knox Avenue, confirming that it and other local franchises had received word “directly from corporate” that the side salad would be removed nationwide.
The chicken restaurant chain furthered stated that its kale crunch side—a kale and cabbage concoction with apple Dijon dressing and roasted almonds that debuted on the menu in 2019—would be offered in a larger size as a healthy alternative to the side salad.
“When Chick-fil-A Corporate decides to discontinue a menu item, all Chick-fil-A stores must follow operating standards and no longer serve that item,” said Kenrick.
Other green menu options, such as the veggie wrap, would also still be available. By March 31, the company had already changed its tune in response to the public’s response.
“Based on feedback, we’ve chosen to continue serving the side salad at participating restaurant locations,” announced Chick-fil-A on Friday. “We are thrilled that customers can continue enjoying this menu item.”
In the same announcement, the company pushed the return of its watermelon mint sunjoy beverage options to complement the “good news” that the “side salad isn’t going anywhere.”
The North Augusta Chick-fil-A recently announced its second location opening along the Exit 5 corridor, with a tentative opening date the first half of next year.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
