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Chick-fil-A adds kale to menu

Chick-fil-A announced it will be one of the first quick serve restaurants to add "superfoods" like kale and Broccolini to its menu.

January 6, 2016

Chick-fil-A announced it will be one of the first quick serve restaurants to add "superfoods" like kale and Broccolini to its menu. Customers nationwide can order the low-calorie Superfood Side starting Jan. 18, according to a company press release. The side was developed in collaboration with James Beard Award Nominee and Atlanta-based chef Ford Fry of Ford Fry Restaurants.

The Superfood Side is made with a blend of hand-chopped kale and Broccolini, tossed in a maple vinaigrette dressing and topped with dried sour cherries. It is served with a blend of roasted nuts (walnuts, almonds and pecans).

"I really enjoyed working with the culinary team from Chick-fil-A on incorporating ingredients that are unique to the industry," Fry said. "We know that it can be challenging to eat healthy on-the-go, so we wanted to create something that customers will love eating that's also nutritious."

The side is available in 5- or 8-ounce servings, and priced starting at $2.59 for the 5-ounce and $3.79 for the 8-ounce portion. The Superfood Side will also be offered as a substitution in any combo meal for an upcharge of 94 cents, the release stated.

"The Superfood Side is not something you would expect to see at a fast food restaurant, and we're thrilled to kick off 2016 with something that can help people stick to their New Year's resolutions to eat healthfully. Customers who have tried it rave about having an option that's incredibly healthy where you don't have to sacrifice great taste," said David Farmer, vice president of menu strategy and development for Chick-fil-A. "We are always looking for new ways to introduce healthier and all-natural items to our customers, and in partnering with Ford to develop the Superfood Side, we are able to incorporate high-end restaurant flavors and ingredients to our menu."

When paired with the company's 100-percent breast meat Grilled Nuggets (eight-count) and a zero-calorie beverage, the Superfood Side allows customers to have a full meal for 280 calories. On its own, the Superfood Side has 140 calories and 7 grams of fat in the 5-ounce portion and 170 calories and 8 grams of fat in the 8-ounce portion.

According to Technomic ("Technomic Healthy Eating Consumer Trend Report," 2014), "Forty-seven percent of consumers with children aged 17 and under say they are more likely to visit restaurants with healthier options."

In 2014, Chick-fil-A introduced a new Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Grilled Nuggets to help meet the desires of its customers to eat more healthfully, according to the release.