How Much A Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich Cost In 2012 Vs 2025
The very first Chick-fil-A location opened its doors in 1967, and since that time, the chain has dedicated itself to fulfilling its customers' fervent love for all things chicken. The restaurant's chicken sandwich is still the true star of the menu, and fast food fans can enjoy the item on its own for the fairly reasonable price of $4.99 (keep in mind that prices vary depending on location). That got us thinking, though: How much did a chicken sandwich from the chain cost in years past?
We dug up a relatively vintage Chick-fil-A menu and found that the original chicken sandwich cost $2.95 in 2012. As for the spicy chicken sandwich, which debuted in 2010, this item was priced at $3.19 in 2012, as compared to the 2025 price of $5.29 (depending on location).
If you want a real blast from the past, Chick-fil-A's original chicken sandwich was a mere $0.59 at the time of the restaurant's opening. Few current items come close to this extremely low price, though you can score a sweet Icedream cup for just $1.49 to finish off your meal.
Which factors affect the price of fast food?
It's no secret that fast food has become quite expensive, and there are numerous factors that may potentially explain price hikes. Supply chain problems and increasing labor costs are often cited, as is inflation, but many establishments have raised prices beyond what would have naturally resulted over time.
For instance, when you adjust for inflation, Chick-fil-A's chicken sandwich should cost you $4.11 today (based on a cumulative inflation rate of 39.3%), not $4.99 as the restaurant currently charges. Also consider that Chick-fil-A isn't even the worst offender when it comes to fast food chains, as McDonald's prices have skyrocketed over the years, increasing by approximately 40% between 2019 and 2024 (via McDonald's).
Ever-rising prices have caused many consumers to accuse major fast food brands of taking advantage of an unpredictable economic situation to engage in price gouging. This practice involves a business raising prices unfairly due to legitimate issues, which includes things like natural disasters as well as supply shortages. Because the concept of price gouging can be vague, it's often hard to prove that a business is taking advantage of consumers. As for Chick-fil-A, many people perceive the restaurant to offer a higher value than similar establishments, which can result in greater tolerance for elevated prices.