It’s become a usual scene in today’s world. Diners in restaurants seem more engrossed in their phones, scrolling through endless feeds rather than sharing meaningful conversations or even casual chit-chat about the weather.
In response, several Chick-fil-A locations across the U.S. are encouraging families to disconnect from their screens by offering free ice cream to those who engage in face-to-face conversations, reminiscent of the pre-smartphone days.
This initiative, while not a nationwide policy, has recently gained popularity and received positive feedback from families and some government officials, including Arkansas’s governor.
I think this is a great idea! A Chick-fil-A restaurant in Maryland is making headlines for encouraging families to take part in the Cell Phone Coop Challenge and not use their phones while eating. If a customer leaves their cell phone in a hut provided by the restaurant during a meal, everyone…
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 30, 2026
Brad Williams, who owns two Chick-fil-A franchises in Georgia, noticed a mother distracted by her phone during a meal, which sparked his idea to introduce the ice cream incentive. He placed boxes on tables, dubbed “chicken coops,” inviting customers to set their devices inside for a chance to earn ice cream for staying off their phones during dinner.
“It made me think about how to help people unplug and reconnect,” Williams shared.
The initiative has expanded, with over 10,000 co-ops initiated and about 200 independent Chick-fil-A operators implementing the idea. Each box is uniquely designed to resemble a chicken coop.
Williams has seen positive results from this effort.
“We’re aiming to foster new habits and create rituals that encourage in-person interaction,” he noted. “We’re essentially turning this into a no-phone zone.”
He observed that conversations have increased at dining tables. “It’s tough to sit with my family without considering this challenge now,” he admitted.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has expressed her support for this concept.
“More and more people are realizing that cell phones create distance at the table,” she stated on X/Twitter. “We hope more restaurants follow @ChickfilA’s lead.”
More and more people are realizing that phones create distance at the table.
I hope more restaurants follow @chicklead. https://t.co/k6NRtIva7H
— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) March 30, 2026
Related articles
More states ban smartphones in local schools
First publication date is March 31, 2026.
