Chick-fil-A is stepping outside the chicken business with a brand-new spinoff: a beverage-focused venture called Daybright.
The first location is set to open in the greater Atlanta area in the coming months, with a menu centered on specialty coffees, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies. Unlike McDonald’s short-lived CosMc’s experiment, which closed earlier this year after two years in operation, Chick-fil-A’s new autonomous concept is being pitched as an entirely separate brand with no menu overlap.
This means customers will not find familiar items like chicken sandwiches and fan favorites like Sunjoy. Company representatives say it will operate with its own identity, from drinks to branding, marking the chain’s first major step into a non-chicken dining category.
Although food items will be available, Daybright’s focus will remain firmly on beverages. Industry analysts say that puts it in direct competition with Starbucks, Dunkin’, and an expanding field of fast-casual players catering to younger customers who are driving coffee and smoothie sales.
Chain Spinoffs: A Risky Trend?
The move follows a broader industry shift as restaurant giants test niche brands to capture new markets. McDonald’s opened CosMc’s in 2023 as a drink-and-snack chain before pulling the plug in mid-2025. Taco Bell has dabbled in Cantina concepts in major cities. Chick-fil-A now appears ready to test whether it can succeed where others have struggled.
Details on Daybright’s menu remain limited, but its launch signals Chick-fil-A’s attempt to diversify beyond its core business. The Atlanta-based chain, which remains privately held, has long dominated the chicken sandwich market and consistently ranks among the most profitable U.S. restaurant companies. With Daybright, it will now test whether that success can extend to a crowded, trend-driven beverage space.