The Reason Chick-Fil-A Doesn't Have A Fish Sandwich Is Simpler Than You Might Think - Tasting Table

"On Reddit, one user shared a message from the Chick-fil-A portal that said the fish sandwich would be discontinued due to "fryer capacity restraints." If you think about it, a significant portion of Chick-fil-A's menu already comes straight from the fryer. So, adding fish on top of it would certainly throw a wrench into things. Another Chick-fil-A employee in the chat confirmed that it did, stating that the four fryers they did have for filets and nuggets were barely enough as is."

"On Quora, a corporate trainer at Chick-fil-A added to the validity of this reasoning, citing fryer constraints as the reason fish was only a seasonal item to begin with. Their message from 2019 read, "When Chick-fil-a serves the fish sandwich[,] we are required to dedicate a fryer to cooking the fish so the flavor doesn't transfer to the chicken. Most stores do not have an extra fryer to dedicate to cooking fish. So that's why we don't serve fish all year.""

"The Chick-fil-A fish sandwich was discontinued in 2021 and is unlikely to return siamionau pavel/Shutterstock Chick-fil-A's fish sandwich debuted for the first time in 2015. The original sandwich featured two breaded Pacific cod filets, pickle chips, and tartar sauce on a familiar Chick-fil-A bun. Later, a Deluxe Fish Sandwich was added, which was topped with lettuce, tomato, and American cheese."

Chick-fil-A previously offered a seasonal fish sandwich primarily during Lent but discontinued it in 2021. The sandwich first debuted in 2015 and included two breaded Pacific cod filets, pickle chips, and tartar sauce; a Deluxe version added lettuce, tomato, and American cheese. Internal communications and employee reports cite back-of-house fryer capacity restraints as the reason for discontinuation. Fish must be cooked in a dedicated fryer to avoid flavor transfer to chicken, and most stores lack an extra fryer. Many locations operate with four fryers used for filets and nuggets, which employees say are barely sufficient.

Read at Tasting Table