Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta-born fast-food giant synonymous with chicken nuggets and polite service, is branching out from its fried favorites into the bustling world of quick-serve coffee shops.
The chain’s latest venture, a cozy concept called Daybright, quietly opened its doors this week at 4326 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway in suburban Hiram, outside Atlanta.
Chick-fil-A Debuts Daybright Coffee Shop
Tucked into a strip mall off the busy highway, the 1,200-square-foot spot marks Chick-fil-A’s first foray into the caffeinated side of quick bites.
Love your cup of Joe? Read our guide on the best places to get coffee in Atlanta.
Patrons arriving for the soft launch on Wednesday were greeted with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm donuts, a far cry from the sizzling waffle fries of the parent brand.
What’s On the Menu at Daybright?
The menu leans heavily into breakfast and beverage territory: a lineup of iced and hot coffee drinks, seven varieties of house-made donuts, breakfast sandwiches, pressed juices, and smoothies designed for on-the-go sips.
The concept comes from Red Wagon Ventures, a subsidiary of Chick-fil-A.
True to its roots, Daybright diverges from the chicken-centric empire in one key way: poultry takes a backseat.
The only nod to the flagship’s star ingredient is a single English muffin sandwich stuffed with creamy chicken salad. Otherwise, it’s all about the coffee, smoothies and baked goods, with an emphasis on quality sourcing.
According to the Daybright website, the shop partners with Thrive Farmers, a nonprofit that connects directly with coffee-farming families.
The beans are then roasted fresh by a local Atlanta-area roaster, ensuring a farm-to-cup journey that’s as ethically grounded as it is flavorful.
Donut enthusiasts will find plenty to celebrate. The seven options include classics with a twist: chocolate-glazed, blueberry-filled, banana nut, lemon poppyseed, vanilla cream, honey almond, and white raspberry.
Priced from $2.50 to $3.50 each, they’re baked daily and meant to pair perfectly with a latte or cold brew.
Of course, no Chick-fil-A offshoot would be complete without that signature touch: Daybright will close every Sunday, honoring the company’s long-standing tradition of rest and family time. Hours for the Hiram location run 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The launch comes amid a national surge in hybrid coffee-quick-service spots, with chains like Starbucks experimenting with drive-thrus and local roasters adding grab-and-go meals.
For Chick-fil-A, which operates more than 2,800 locations worldwide (including over 200 in Georgia alone), Daybright represents a low-stakes test in a market where Atlanta’s coffee scene is as vibrant as its traffic.
This isn’t the only innovation from the Peachtree City headquarters this week.
In a separate push toward convenience, Chick-fil-A unveiled its first automated vending machine in Augusta, Ga., at the Augusta Mall. The 24/7 unit — closed Sundays, naturally — dispenses grab-and-go staples like chicken wraps, fruit cups, and waffle potato chips for those late-night cravings or early-morning rushes.
It’s a small-scale experiment, but one that hints at the chain’s appetite for tech-driven accessibility.
As Daybright brews up buzz in Hiram, locals are already lining up. “I came for the coffee, but those donuts? Game-changer,” said Hiram resident Maria Gonzalez, 34, nursing a vanilla cream pastry and iced latte on opening day.
Whether this spells the start of a full-blown Daybright chain remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a fresh perk for Paulding County’s caffeine crowd.
For more on Daybright’s menu and locations, visit daybright.com.
Final Word
Chick-fil-A continues to expand its footprint in metro Atlanta, with ongoing construction on new outlets in Cobb and Gwinnett counties.
Summerhill is one of Atlanta’s most dynamic neighborhoods and one of the best places to eat on the southside. The street’s walkable, trendy vibe, enhanced by vibrant murals and restored brick storefronts, draws food enthusiasts and supports a burgeoning dining scene.
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