Chick-fil-A’s social media team is hard at work today. With the launch of the new Egg White Grill, they seem to have exactly three stock responses at the ready for any and all titillated Twitter users: “In order to bring new flavors to the menu, the Spicy Chicken Biscuit has been removed to make room for the Egg White Grill,” “The decision to keep the Spicy Chicken Biscuit was at the Operator’s discretion. Contact your local Chick-fil-A for availability,” and “We’re so glad you’re a fan of our Egg White Grill! Come back and see us soon!”
Mostly though, they’re using the first and second responses. Because, as it turns out, when you replace a much-loved breakfast item with something as flavorful as grilled egg white and chicken breast on a multigrain English Muffin (with a slice of American cheese!), you get a lot of disgruntled customers.
A sampling of today’s collective Twitter disappointment:
https://twitter.com/coachsecord/status/755044671340974080
Noooooo! That's the only reason I ate breakfast at CFA! This is a travesty!
— Mistborn (@Mistborn) July 18, 2016
Seriously, fire your market research team.
— the content is good (@BourbonGhost) July 18, 2016
this is ridiculous.
— Wodie (@_BBdK_) July 18, 2016
please. Please. How could anyone ever think someone would rather have an Egg White Grill, in place of THE SPICY CHICKEN BISCUIT??
— Mason Geraldine (@Brandon_K29) July 18, 2016
this is better than the spicy biscuit? pic.twitter.com/XmX5BTdCSu
— Volstorm 🏴☠️ (@volstorm00) July 18, 2016
the spicy chicken biscuit is the only reason I would eat breakfast at your restaurant. #ohwell
— Chris Snellings (@cmsnellings) July 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/LegalReb/status/755045272632295424
A warning would have been nice!?
— Fro Ramirez (@_FRO_) July 18, 2016
The person that came up with this idea should probably go work at Mcdonald's instead. Like, as a cashier.
— Jeremy Taylor 🇺🇸 (@TaylorMadeGa) July 18, 2016
Don't do this to us Chick-fil-a, please don't do this to us!!!!!!!!
— UABTodd (@Uabtodd) July 18, 2016
wait… Is July 18 now April Fools Day? This is a travesty.
— A private individual (@wee_ag) July 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/dgbaylosis/status/755041168455507973
NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/p1f0AAj5i8
— Bill Smalley (@Bill_Smalley) July 18, 2016
@ChickfilA @TheL4stGamer pic.twitter.com/jcnLPPALP3
— dansch (@dansch07) July 18, 2016
“The Egg White Grill is the perfect solution for our health-conscious customers looking for a grab-and-go breakfast,” Dave Farmer, Chick-fi-A’s VP of menu strategy and development, said in a press release that mentioned exactly nothing about the swapping out of the Spicy Chicken Biscuit. He noted that the Egg White Grill had been tested in select markets across the country, and had received great feedback.
Yes, but did they test customers’ feedback on the item after swapping out one of the top three breakfast menu items? We’re guessing “no,” based on the tweets that are burning up the internet.
The good news in all of this is that, for now, only the Spicy Chicken Biscuit has been discontinued — customers thirsty for that sweet poultry heat can still order a Spicy Chicken Sandwich come lunchtime. And maybe, if your local Chick-fil-A cashier really loves you, they’ll let you sub in a Spicy Chicken patty on your breakfast Chicken Biscuit order. It doesn’t hurt to at least try, right?
