The home of the Original Chicken Sandwich and Waffle Fries is celebrating a major milestone.
On Jan. 5, in honor of its 80th anniversary, Chick-fil-A announced its first-ever yearlong celebration. For the 12-monthlong fete, the chicken chain is adding new permanent menu items (including a take on dirty soda!), dropping nostalgic merch and giving away freebies to thousands of customers.
This includes all-new Specialty Plush Cows that will roll out with different designs throughout the year and are available to purchase exclusively in-restaurant, in addition to themed apparel, accessories and more on shop.chick-fil-a.com.
Khalilah Cooper, vice president of brand strategy, advertising and media for Chick-fil-A, said in a press release that the chain will deliver menu items and experiences “that are fresh and exciting.”
“We’re inviting Guests — old and new — to join us in celebrating our heritage, while looking ahead to the future with us,” Cooper added.
The Original Chicken Sandwich meal comes in retro packaging
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A Chick-fil-A’s retro packaging.
In restaurants nationwide, Chick-fil-A is serving its Original Chicken Sandwich Meal with Waffle Potato Fries and a drink of choice in limited-time retro packaging inspired by its earliest designs.
How to win free Chick-fil-A for a year

Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A Chick-fil-A’s golden cups will net 3,000 lucky winners free Chick-fil-A for a year.
In regards to that retro packaging, for 3,000 lucky customers, a special cup will mean free Chick-fil-A for a year. Here’s how to enter:
- Customers can purchase and collect four retro-inspired cup designs for $3.99 for a limited time starting Jan. 5, while supplies last.
- 3,000 specialty Gold Fan Cups — part of the Golden Fan Cup Sweepstakes — will be randomly dispersed for sale across restaurants nationwide.
- All Classic Cups will be wrapped such that their design cannot be seen, to keep the mystery going, so if you happen to buy a Classic Cup and get the Golden Fan cup design, you can redeem a prize of free Chick-fil-A for a year!
- A winning card will be inserted in each of the 3,000 Golden Fan Cups, which will include instructions and a QR code for how to claim the prize, which includes 52 entrées, including Original Chicken Sandwiches, Chick-fil-A Nuggets and more at participating Chick-fil-A restaurants.
Customers have already been unwrapping some of the winning cups, sharing their elation on social media.
Frosted Sodas and Floats join the permanent menu

Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A Chick-fil-A’s new Icedream-rich menu items.
On Jan. 5, two new creations using the chain’s Icedream, a soft-serve-style dessert, were added to the permanent menu:
- Frosted Sodas, Chick-fil-A’s take on dirty soda, are hand-spun with Icedream and the customer’s choice of a fountain beverage.
- Floats feature layers of soda and Icedream for a “fizzy, foamy treat that’s perfect for sipping or scooping,” according to the chain.
- Sweet-toothed folks can choose from flavors including Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper and Sprite, with additional options like Fanta, Powerade, Hi-C, Barq’s Root Beer, diet options and more.
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: