If you receive SNAP benefits and enjoy eating at Chick-fil-A, you may have wondered:
Does Chick-fil-A accept EBT?
The answer is generally no for regular SNAP food benefits at this time. Chick-fil-A primarily sells prepared meals, and USDA rules generally do not allow SNAP benefits to be used at restaurants unless the restaurant participates in a state-approved Restaurant Meals Program (RMP).
However, there is an important update worth knowing.
We contacted the Chick-fil-A team to ask about EBT and the Restaurant Meals Program. According to the response we received, Chick-fil-A told us that when the current restriction is lifted and the company is able to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, it plans to add participation in the program.
Until then, Chick-fil-A says it continues to provide offers and deals that may help make meals more affordable for customers, including people who are homeless, senior citizens and low-income families.
Important: The statement about Chick-fil-A’s future RMP participation is based on the response we received from the Chick-fil-A team. We recommend checking with Chick-fil-A and your state SNAP agency for the latest status before relying on this information.
Quick Answer: Does Chick-fil-A Take EBT?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Chick-fil-A accept regular SNAP EBT for restaurant meals? | Generally no |
| Can SNAP normally be used for hot restaurant meals? | No |
| Can restaurants accept SNAP through RMP? | Yes, in participating states and at approved restaurants |
| Does every state have an RMP? | No |
| Can every Chick-fil-A location accept SNAP through RMP? | No |
| Has Chick-fil-A told us it plans to participate if permitted? | Yes, according to the response we received |
| Should you check before ordering? | Yes |
Why Doesn’t Chick-fil-A Usually Accept SNAP EBT?
SNAP benefits are designed primarily to help households purchase eligible food for home consumption.
USDA lists foods such as fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry and fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages among SNAP-eligible purchases. However, foods that are hot at the point of sale cannot normally be purchased with SNAP benefits.
That rule creates a major difference between grocery stores and restaurants.
A grocery store can sell SNAP-eligible ingredients that you take home and prepare.
A restaurant generally sells prepared food intended for immediate consumption.
USDA explains that restaurants are generally not eligible for SNAP authorization unless they are located in a state that operates a Restaurant Meals Program.
Because Chick-fil-A is primarily a restaurant serving prepared meals, regular SNAP EBT cannot normally be used to pay for a Chick-fil-A meal.
What Is the Restaurant Meals Program?
The Restaurant Meals Program, commonly called RMP, is a state option within SNAP.
It allows certain SNAP recipients who may have difficulty purchasing and preparing food at home to use their SNAP benefits to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants.
USDA says eligible RMP clients generally must be SNAP-certified in a state that operates an RMP, and all members of the household must meet one of the applicable categories:
- Age 60 or older
- Disabled
- Homeless
- A spouse of an eligible SNAP client
The program is especially important for people who may not have a permanent home, kitchen or other facilities needed to safely store and prepare food.
RMP Is Not Available Everywhere
One of the biggest things to understand is that the Restaurant Meals Program is not available nationwide.
USDA currently lists RMP operations in states and areas including:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois — Cook and Franklin counties
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
The program rules and restaurant participation can vary by state.
So even if someone qualifies for RMP, that does not automatically mean every restaurant accepts EBT.
The restaurant must also be approved.
What Does a Restaurant Need to Do to Accept SNAP Through RMP?
A restaurant cannot simply decide to accept SNAP EBT for prepared meals.
According to USDA, the restaurant must:
- Be located in a state that operates an RMP
- Meet the state’s requirements
- Receive approval from the state
- Provide the required agreement
- Become authorized by USDA to accept SNAP
- Have the appropriate point-of-sale equipment to process EBT transactions
That is why the process can take time.
What Did Chick-fil-A Tell Us About the Restaurant Meals Program?
We reached out to the Chick-fil-A team specifically to ask about whether Chick-fil-A accepts EBT and whether the company plans to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program.
According to the response we received, Chick-fil-A told us that when the current restriction is lifted, the company will add participation in the Restaurant Meals Program.
That could be important news for eligible SNAP customers in states where RMP operates.
However, there is an important distinction.
The USDA does not currently describe a nationwide prohibition preventing Chick-fil-A from ever joining RMP. Instead, RMP is a state option and restaurants must go through the applicable approval process.
So when discussing a future Chick-fil-A RMP launch, it is more accurate to say that Chick-fil-A is not currently participating through RMP based on the information available to us, and the company told us it intends to participate if and when it can do so.
Will Every Chick-fil-A Accept EBT If RMP Becomes Available?
Not necessarily.
Even when a restaurant chain participates in an assistance program, individual locations may need to complete the applicable authorization process.
USDA explains that each state can establish its own requirements for selecting restaurants for RMP participation.
That means customers should not assume that every Chick-fil-A restaurant will immediately accept SNAP EBT.
Always check the specific location.
What About Homeless SNAP Recipients?
The Restaurant Meals Program can be particularly important for people experiencing homelessness.
USDA specifically includes homeless SNAP clients among the groups that may qualify for RMP when the other program requirements are met.
Someone experiencing homelessness may have difficulty:
- Storing groceries
- Preparing food
- Accessing a kitchen
- Keeping food refrigerated
- Cooking safely
RMP helps address some of those barriers by allowing eligible SNAP recipients to purchase prepared meals at approved restaurants.
Chick-fil-A’s Community Support
Even though standard SNAP EBT is generally not accepted at Chick-fil-A for restaurant meals, Chick-fil-A has a separate community initiative called Shared Table.
Through Shared Table, participating Chick-fil-A restaurants donate surplus food to local food banks, shelters and nonprofits.
Chick-fil-A says more than 2,500 restaurants participate in the program and that its operators have donated more than 42 million meals through Shared Table in the U.S. and Canada.
The program can connect surplus food with organizations serving people experiencing food insecurity.
Does Chick-fil-A Offer Discounts for Seniors or Low-Income Customers?
There is no single nationwide Chick-fil-A senior discount that applies to every restaurant.
Chick-fil-A says its restaurants are independently owned and operated, so available discounts and special offers can vary by location. Individual Owner-Operators may choose to offer promotions or discounts.
That means it can be worth asking your local restaurant about available offers.
Check the Chick-fil-A App
Chick-fil-A also offers its Chick-fil-A One rewards program.
Customers can earn points from qualifying purchases and redeem available rewards for food. Chick-fil-A also says participating restaurants may offer local promotions and free-food opportunities.
For someone trying to stretch a limited food budget, checking the app for available rewards can be useful.
Can You Use EBT Cash at Chick-fil-A?
EBT cards can contain different benefit accounts, and SNAP food benefits should not be confused with cash assistance benefits.
SNAP benefits are subject to USDA food-purchase rules.
EBT cash benefits are administered differently and may have different rules.
If you have an EBT card with a cash-assistance balance, check your state’s rules and ask the specific Chick-fil-A location what payment methods it accepts.
Do not assume that having an EBT card automatically means the SNAP portion of the card can be used at Chick-fil-A.
Can You Use SNAP at a Grocery Store to Buy Chick-fil-A Food?
This is another area where shoppers can become confused.
SNAP can be used at authorized retailers for eligible food products. USDA says eligible foods generally include foods for the household such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages.
But the product must meet SNAP rules.
A hot prepared meal is not normally eligible.
So buying a restaurant meal with SNAP is very different from buying eligible grocery food.
What Can You Do If You Want Chick-fil-A But Cannot Use SNAP?
If you are waiting for RMP participation, there are several options worth checking.
1. Check Local Chick-fil-A Promotions
Because individual restaurants are locally operated, offers can vary.
Ask your local Owner-Operator about current discounts or promotions.
2. Check Chick-fil-A One Rewards
The Chick-fil-A app can provide access to rewards and local offers.
Chick-fil-A says qualifying purchases earn points that can be redeemed for available rewards.
3. Look for Community Food Programs
If you are experiencing food insecurity, local food banks, shelters and community organizations may provide free food assistance.
Chick-fil-A’s Shared Table program works with local nonprofit organizations to distribute surplus food.
4. Check Your State’s RMP
If you are elderly, disabled or homeless and receive SNAP, check whether your state operates an RMP.
USDA maintains a list of participating states and state RMP contacts.
What About Delivery Orders?
Ordering Chick-fil-A through the app or a delivery partner does not change SNAP eligibility.
Chick-fil-A currently supports ordering through its app, its online ordering system and DoorDash, although delivery availability and fees vary by location.
If SNAP is not an eligible payment method for the restaurant transaction, ordering online will not make SNAP benefits eligible.
Does Chick-fil-A Accept EBT? Final Answer
For regular SNAP food benefits, Chick-fil-A generally does not currently accept EBT for its prepared restaurant meals.
The reason is not that SNAP recipients are prohibited from eating at Chick-fil-A.
The issue is that SNAP generally does not cover hot prepared restaurant meals, unless the purchase is made through an authorized Restaurant Meals Program.
The good news is that the Restaurant Meals Program exists in several states for eligible SNAP recipients who are elderly, disabled, homeless or otherwise meet the applicable household requirements.
We contacted Chick-fil-A about its plans, and the Chick-fil-A team told us that when the current restriction is lifted, the company will add participation in the Restaurant Meals Program.
Until then, eligible customers should look for:
- Local Chick-fil-A promotions
- Chick-fil-A One rewards
- Free-food opportunities
- Local food assistance
- Food banks and shelters
- Other restaurants participating in RMP
Chick-fil-A also continues to support food-insecure communities through its Shared Table food donation program.
Keep Checking for Updates
RMP participation can change as states and restaurants complete approval processes.
If Chick-fil-A begins accepting SNAP through RMP, the important details will include which states participate, which locations accept EBT, who qualifies and how the EBT transaction works.
For now, check your state SNAP agency and your local Chick-fil-A before ordering.
And remember: having an EBT card does not automatically mean you can use SNAP benefits at every restaurant.
Restaurant Meals Program approval matters.
