Many restaurant chains have been struggling over the past few years, with even giant companies like Starbucks and Papa John’s announcing they will close in 2025. While some types of restaurants have been hit harder than others—vegan restaurants have been especially plagued by bankruptcies—recent studies show business is slowing across the industry. According to findings from Black Box Intelligence, restaurants open for more than a year will experience a decline in customer traffic almost every month in 2025 (via CNBC). Chick-Fil-A is no exception: The company’s 2025 franchise disclosure filing shows its full-year 2024 sales growth dropped to single digits for the first time since 2013 (via Restaurant Business ). While that’s still better than no sales growth at all, that hasn’t stopped the chain from trying to combat the decline with a year-long campaign centered around blending nostalgia with a modern feel.
Chick-Fil-A was founded in 1967 by successful restaurateur S. Truett Cathy, and the brand has remained privately owned by the family ever since. In its 80th anniversary, Chick-Fil-A is focusing on the concept of “Newstalgia,” bringing long-time loyal customers together while potentially attracting new diners. While retro packaging of the classic chicken sandwich is a big part of its business, the company is also shaking up other areas of the business with customer engagement initiatives, nostalgic advertising, new menu items and limited-edition merchandise.
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Chick-Fil-A’s new promotion has a few key components: First, Chick-Fil-A is introducing frosted sodas and floats to its menu in direct response to customer feedback. As Khalilah Cooper, Chick-Fil-A’s vice president of brand strategy, advertising and media, told Nation’s Restaurant News, “Customers have been asking for frosted seltzers and floats for a while, and it allows us to harken back to the old days. We’re working hard to combine this with our operational excellence strategy.”
The menu isn’t the only thing changing: Much of Chick-Fil-A’s packaging has been given an old-school redesign, and the chain is also launching a line of limited-edition classic cups, priced at $3.99 each. Beginning January 5, 2026, Chick-Fil-A will begin selling the first of four mugs with retro-inspired designs at select locations, and fans are encouraged to visit regularly this winter for a chance to collect them all. The mugs come packaged, so you won’t know which design you’re getting until you buy. However, the chain will also randomly give away 3,000 copies of a fifth cup, called the “Golden Fan Cup,” and whoever opens one of the cups will win free Chick-Fil-A for an entire year.
