Sweet Potato Fries at Chick-fil-A? The Chain Tests Updated Fast Food Menu Items and New Healthier Side Options

Chick-fil-A is stirring interest in the fast food world with news that it is testing sweet potato waffle fries and classic straight-cut fries as part of an expanded lineup of sides. This move marks a rare moment of change for a chain known for a narrow set of side dishes. Fans and food observers are watching closely as these potential updated fast food menu items appear in select test kitchens in the United States.

The New Sides on the Menu

Traditionally, Chick-fil-A's side offerings have been consistent, featuring its iconic waffle fries alongside staples like mac and cheese, fruit cups, and salads. But recently shared test menus show a broader range that includes sweet potato waffle fries and straight-cut fries, along with other comfort-style choices such as fried okra, sweet potato tots, onion rings and cornbread. These items have been spotted at experimental concepts like the Little Blue Kitchen in College Park, Maryland and various Truett's or Dwarf House locations in Georgia.

The inclusion of both a sweet potato version and a classic fry shape suggests the brand is exploring variety beyond its core side lineup. These changes reflect a broader appetite among customers for updated fast food menu items, especially those that feel familiar yet fresh.

How Sweet Potato Fries Fit Into Healthier Side Options

Sweet potato fries often carry a reputation as healthier side options compared with standard French fries, largely because sweet potatoes contain higher levels of fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. While frying does add calories and fat, sweet potato variants can appeal to diners seeking sides with perceived nutritional value or more plant-based color and flavor.

Classic straight fries, meanwhile, are a staple at numerous other quick-serve restaurants, and their inclusion here brings Chick-fil-A into a broader category of fries that many customers already expect. Together, the two fry formats could bridge the gap between comfort food craving and a menu that feels more current.

Why Chick-fil-A Is Testing These Changes

Expanding side offerings can help a fast-food chain respond to evolving customer tastes. Diners have shown interest in menus that balance traditional favorites with new experiences. With the explosion of social media food culture and greater emphasis on choices that feel fresh or diverse, restaurants increasingly experiment with updated fast food menu items to stay relevant.

Testing at limited sites allows Chick-fil-A to gather direct customer feedback before any wider rollout. These experiments function as real-world focus groups where data can guide decisions about which sides might succeed on a national scale.

How Fans Are Responding

Early reactions to the news online have been mixed but enthusiastic. Some fans welcome the idea of new fry options alongside their favorite chicken sandwiches, while others express loyalty to the classic waffle fry and hope it remains unchanged. The range of test items beyond fries has also sparked conversation, with people curious about comfort sides like fried okra and cornbread.

Availability and What It Means for Future Menus

At the moment, these new sides are not part of a nationwide launch. They are visible only at specific test kitchens where Chick-fil-A experiments with menu innovation. Not every location offers every item, and there is no set public timeline for broader availability.

This kind of experimentation signals a willingness to diversify beyond core offerings. If data from these tests show strong demand, it could pave the way for broader inclusion of similar items across more units. Industry analysts often see side options like sweet potato fries as part of a larger trend in fast food where customers expect variety and, in some cases, perceive certain items as healthier side options.

What This Shift Could Suggest for Fast Food Trends

Chick-fil-A's move comes at a moment when restaurants of all kinds are rethinking menus. Fast casual and quick-serve brands increasingly explore ways to offer sides that feel satisfying yet modern, while also embracing consumer interest in perceived better-for-you choices. Sweet potato fries and a choice of fry cut add nuance to a menu that was once very limited in side format.

The broader context of how sides fit into customers' perceptions of balance and choice shows that even small changes can generate conversation. These tests could offer insight into how a major brand balances tradition with incremental updates for customers seeking familiar tastes or those curious to try healthy side alternatives.

What Fans Should Know About Fry Options and Sides

For now, loyal customers who enjoy Chick-fil-A's trademark waffle fries can still find them at most restaurants. The experimental fry formats remain in test phases, and no decision has been announced about permanent adoption. In the meantime, these tests contribute to ongoing industry discussions about menu evolution and demand for updated fast food menu items.

Exploring Options and Choosing What You Like Most

As Chick-fil-A evaluates its test items, customers have an opportunity to explore and discuss what they enjoy. Whether fans prefer sweet potato variants, straight-cut fries, or the classic waffle shape, these experiments highlight how choices evolve based on taste, feedback, and broader trends in healthier side options and culinary variety.