Little Blue Menu first opened in late 2021 in Nashville and now includes two restaurant brands – Outfox Wings and Because, Burger . . . .

Little Blue Menu virtual kitchen this year

Chick-fil-A jumped into the virtual restaurant space in late 2021 with a delivery-only concept in Nashville called Little Blue Menu. The concept initially offered a variety of menu options across three virtual restaurant brands – Garden Day, Flock & Farm, and Outfox Wings.

Little Blue Menu has since evolved, as most pilot locations tend to do. Now, the prototype, which is overseen by three Chick-fil-A operators, includes two brands – Outfox Wings and Because, Burger. Customers can bundle their orders from these two brands, as well as from Chick-fil-A’s menu. According to a company blog post, Chick-fil-A plans to open a second Little Blue Menu location this year in College Park, Maryland.

In an emailed statement, the company stated, “The team at Little Blue Menu, an affiliate of Chick-fil-A, Inc., is always looking for innovative ways to serve our customers. We’re in the early stage, but we’re happy to share that we are pursuing an exciting new opportunity in College Park, Maryland. The location will offer the classic Chick-fil-A menu, Because, Burger, and Outfox Wings, as well as new menu items. We look forward to sharing more with our customers soon.”

Outfox Wings’ current menu includes smoked, roasted, traditional bone-in wings, and classic fried chicken. Because, Burger was added to Little Blue Menu’s portfolio last April and included five different burger variations. Both virtual brands offer traditional fries, versus Chick-fil-A’s signature waffle fries. However, there is a crossover on some sides with the parent brand, including mac and cheese and kale salad. Outfox and Because, Burger also shares a few side items, including brussels sprouts, sweet potato tots, onion rings, Outfox biscuits, and two desserts. According to Chick-fil-A, both menus were created from scratch.

The Little Blue Menu pilot continues, and more changes could be made based on customer feedback, the company notes. A survey is prompted for selected guests at the completion of an order. Both Outfox Wings and Because, Burger is available via Chick-fil-A’s app, as well as DoorDash within an approximately 10-minute delivery radius. Pickup is also available.

Notably, Nashville is also home to Chick-fil-A’s first delivery-only facility, which opened in 2018 – well before the pandemic-induced acceleration of digital ordering and virtual restaurants. That location continues to service delivery and catering orders, and also houses Little Blue Menu’s kitchen. According to Chick-fil-A, the company’s digital sales grew to more than 40% of the business in 2021.

The Little Blue Menu name is a nod to Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy’s original blue menu at his first restaurant, called Hapeville Dwarf House. – Source: NRN.