Chick-fil-A’s Opening a Coffee Shop, and It Has More Dairy-Free Drinks Than You’d Expect

Let’s be honest, Chick-fil-A isn’t exactly known for its plant-based fare. While the chain has experimented with meatless entrées in the past, its menu includes just a few vegan-friendly sides like hash browns, salads, waffle fries, and fruit cups. For the most part, this fast-food chain has always centered around one thing: chicken sandwiches.

But recently, Chick-fil-A entered new territory: it opened its own coffee shop. And, given its reputation, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the chain’s new Daybright Café actually offers a decent number of dairy-free options.

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Launching Daybright

Chick-fil-A opened Daybright, its new coffee shop concept, in Hiram, GA, at the end of October.

Unlike McDonald’s short-lived coffee spinoff, CosMc’s, which served a mix of new and familiar menu items, Daybright is a standalone brand, completely separate from Chick-fil-A. That means no chicken sandwiches and no waffle fries.

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Instead, Daybright focuses on “handcrafted” beverages and food made with “simple ingredients.”

“With schedules busier than ever, we know people are looking for easy, convenient ways to enjoy quality food and beverages,” said David Farmer, vice president of Red Wagon Ventures, LLC, the subsidiary of Chick-fil-A responsible for the new coffee shop concept.  

Daybright

“Daybright is designed with this in mind, offering delicious beverages and portable bites intended to delight customers and help boost their busy days,” Farmer added.

During the time of writing, there are no vegan food items on the menu, but if you’re after a dairy-free drink, you’ve got plenty of options to choose from.

Dairy-free options at Daybright

Fall coffee lovers should try the Maple Spice Cold Brew, made with a cinnamon blend and maple cinnamon dairy-free cold foam. (Note: this item is marked as dairy-free, but the allergen listing mentions milk due to possible cross-contamination.)

The Matcha Latte, available hot or iced, is also dairy-free, and there’s a colorful lineup of house-made iced teas and lemonades to choose from, including Citrus Swing, Peach of Mind, Sun Punch, Hiberry, and Yuzu You.

Daybright also offers plant protein add-ons for its smoothies, several of which are dairy-free, like the Jam Sesh and the Mocha Motion. And don’t miss the cold-pressed Bright Pressed Juices, which are also on the menu.

Daybright is now open at Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway in Hiram, GA. The café operates Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays, true to Chick-fil-A tradition.

Now we just need a vegan chicken sandwich, please and thank you, Chick-fil-A.