Chick-fil-A is expanding into the specialty beverage world by opening a new concept store called Daybright in metro Atlanta.
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Chick-fil-A has officially opened a new beverage-focused concept called Daybright, a fast-casual chicken chain confirmed to USA TODAY.
The restaurant opened in Hiram, Ga., on Thursday, Oct. 30, and offers “crafted coffee beverages, smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and dishes made with simple ingredients,” a company spokesperson told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.
Chick-fil-A said Daybright will have a two-lane drive-thru and a full dining room and will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Daybright will be operated as a standalone concept by Red Wagon Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Chick-fil-A Inc., but will not feature the fast-food chain’s menu items. Red Wagon Ventures was formed in January 2017 “with a mission to explore new ventures and create new concepts and services beyond Chick-fil-A restaurants,” the company said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
“With schedules busier than ever, we know people are looking for easy and convenient ways to enjoy quality food and drinks,” David Farmer, vice president of Red Wagon Ventures, LLC, said in a news release. “Daybright was designed with this in mind, offering delicious drinks and portable snacks aimed at delighting customers and enriching their busy days.”
Chick-fil-A has expanded into other businesses in the past. In 2023, the company opened a restaurant called Little Blue Menu in College Park, Maryland, serving chicken fillet classics as well as wings and burgers.
What does Daybright offer?
According to Chick-fil-A, the Daybright menu offers:
- specialty coffee
- iced tea and lemonade
- Fizz (frothy sparkling drink made with fruit juice)
- smoothie
- bright pressed juice
- daily donut
- Hot Takes (hot sandwiches, pressed burritos, English muffins filled with delicious ingredients, and other delicious snacks for easy meals on the go)
- The children’s menu features “kid-friendly versions of breakfast favorites” such as PB&J and easy-to-drink smoothies.
Other fast food chains are trying similar beverage-focused concepts.
Other fast food chains are testing or planning to open concepts similar to Chick-fil-A’s Daybright.
Taco Bell expanded its Live Mass Café this year after launching a pilot in California in 2024. The cafe offers a wide range of drinks, including specialty coffees and the newly launched refresca. Refresca is a drink created to “satisfy every kind of craving, whether you’re looking for a refreshing sip, a boost of energy or a frozen escape.”
Taco Bell plans to open 30 stores in Texas and Southern California by 2025. The cafe will also offer Taco Bell’s popular menu items.
McDonald’s similarly tried a beverage concept called CosMc’s in 2023. Five alien-themed stores closed just two years after they launched, but the company has announced that it will bring CosMc’s drinks to McDonald’s stores across the United States.
Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.
