Chick-fil-A offers free ice cream to families who put away their phones
If you're a parent who is tired of telling your child not to use their phone at the table, Chick-fil-A is doing you a solid. The restaurant chain is rewarding families who put their phones away with free ice cream.
Families can take part in the "challenge"
Chick-fil-A is posing a challenge, and families can choose to accept. The rules are simple: just put away your phone while you're eating.
As you may expect, it's easier said than done. The chain has said most people can't seem to do it.
You can thank a Georgia franchise owner for the challenge idea
The idea for the challenge dates back to 2016, when a Georgia franchise owner, Brad Williams, watched a mother on her phone the entire meal without saying a word to her kids.
Hoping to bring back the art of conversation, Williams introduced the Cell Phone Coop. The initiative was so successful that it went viral, with Chick-fil-A sharing the official rules on their corporate Instagram account.
Now, the challenge is seeing a massive resurgence as more people look for ways to unplug in 2026.
Phones get placed in the "Cell Phone Coop"
For families who want to take part, all you need to do is put all your phones in the "Cell Phone Coop" while eating. The "coop" is a box that looks like a takeout container.
Once everyone is finished eating, let a team member know, and you'll all be rewarded with an Icedream Cone.
You've got nothing to lose
So if you're hoping for an electronics-free meal with the kids, you may want to try the Chick-fil-A challenge. The free ice cream will likely act as a great incentive.
Before you load the kids into the car, it’s a good idea to check with your local Chick-fil-A to see if they are currently hosting the coop. If they are, you've got nothing to lose—except maybe a few notifications and a bit of screen time.
