What Is A 'Be Our Guest' Card At Chick-Fil-A?

Since 2019, a growing number of fast-food establishments have been duking it out for the best fried chicken sandwich title in what is now referred to as "The Fried Chicken Sandwich Wars." When Popeyes launched its fried chicken sandwich in 2019, a territorial Chick-fil-A immediately took to Twitter, proclaiming itself to be the OG. No stranger to fried chicken, Popeyes retaliated, sparking a social media firestorm and triggering massive sales for the Louisiana company and its new sandwich (per Restaurant Business).

Over the next two years, 20 fast food chains either gave their existing fried chicken sandwich a makeover, making it bigger and better, or added one to their menu to capitalize on America's obsession with fried chicken. More options and expanding menus make competition for consumers' money more challenging than ever. While the pizza industry has capitalized on digital channels for years, other fast-food restaurants have only begun using the internet. To bolster profit margins and retain customers, fast-food chains use digital loyalty programs to incentivize customers. Since revamping its app in 2018, Chick-fil-A's loyalty program, Chick-fil-A-One, receives 20% of its orders digitally (per Business Insider). The tiered membership program allows users to earn rewards, including free food, voting opportunities, and insider content.

While Chick-fil-A's franchises are independently owned and do not offer coupons, some lucky customers have received 'Be Our Guest' cards. Although there is no mention of this golden ticket on the company's website, there's plenty of evidence online, providing a glimpse into how we can score one too.

According to Chick-fil-A's website, its loyalty program rewards users 10-13 points for every dollar spent at one of their restaurants. As users accumulate points, they move through different tiers from member to silver, red, and signature levels, giving customers more access to rewards and the ability to gift rewards to friends and family. Aside from the rewards given on your birthday and the 'just because' rewards offered after you reach the silver level, customers have other chances to win free food.

Despite what its website says about coupons, 'Be Our Guest' cards are, in fact, coupons for free food. According to The Krazy Coupon Lady, if Chick-fil-A makes a mistake on your order, some locations will apologize by giving you a 'Be Our Guest' card for a free chicken sandwich or milkshake. Since each independent franchise controls its promotions, 'Be Our Guest' cards are rare and offered for various reasons. 

A Chick-fil-A in Atlanta, Georgia, incentivized customers to follow their social media accounts by offering 'Be Our Guest' cards for free chicken sandwiches. Another Chick-fil-A franchise in North Carolina offered a card with three options (fried or grilled chicken sandwiches or nuggets) for each roll of change exchanged for bills when the franchise ran short on nickels and dimes. Users can upload their 'Be Our Guest' cards to the app by scanning the QR code on the back. Each free food offer is stored in the "rewards" tab, allowing users to redeem rewards from their phones.