Determining the calorie count of menu items at popular fast food restaurants like Chick-fil-A can be tricky. Different sizes and ingredients can dramatically alter the nutrition facts. When looking at the Chick-fil-A menu, customers may notice some inconsistencies in the reported calories for the Cool Wrap depending on where they look.
The Contradictory Calorie Counts
On the Chick-fil-A website’s nutrition information page for the Cool Wrap, it states the wrap contains 350 calories. However, on the in-store menu boards and paper menus provided to customers, the Cool Wrap is listed as having 660 calories. This is a huge discrepancy that understandably causes confusion for health-conscious customers trying to make informed choices.
So which is correct – does the Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap really have 350 calories or 660 calories? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and nutrition facts to solve this mystery.
Cool Wrap Description
First, it’s important to understand exactly what comes in the Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap. According to the company website, the standard Cool Wrap contains:
- Harvest Nut Granola
- Roasted Chicken
- Diced Apples
- Grapes
- Crumbled Blue Cheese
- Mixed Greens
- Ranch Dressing
The wrap comes in a multigrain flat bread. Customers can also substitute grilled chicken if they prefer. Based on this ingredient list, the Cool Wrap offers some healthy components like nut granola, fruit, and greens but also higher calorie items like cheese and dressing.
Website Nutrition Information
The Chick-fil-A website provides the following nutrition information for the standard Cool Wrap:
| Calories | 350 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 13g |
| Sodium | 960mg |
| Carbs | 44g |
| Sugar | 8g |
| Protein | 17g |
Right away, a 350 calorie count seems reasonable for a wrap made with flatbread, chicken, fruits, veggies, cheese, and dressing. For comparison, other similar sized wraps from fast casual chains range from about 300-500 calories. So based solely on the website nutrition stats, the Cool Wrap clocks in at a pretty typical 350 calories.
In-Store Menu Nutrition Information
However, the story changes when looking at the in-store menu boards and printed menus handed out to customers at the physical Chick-fil-A locations. These list the Cool Wrap as containing significantly more calories:
| Calories | 660 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 26g |
| Sodium | 1570mg |
| Carbs | 74g |
| Protein | 27g |
A calorie count of 660 is almost double the amount listed online! And the fat, sodium, carbs, and protein have all more than doubled as well. These shocking nutrition stats make the Cool Wrap one of the unhealthiest menu options. So why the major discrepancy between locations?
Investigating the Calorie Discrepancy
With such a large difference in calories reported, it’s clear that the online and in-store information can’t both be accurate. So what explains this confusion? After closely examining the issue, it appears there are two possible explanations:
1. Inaccurate or outdated in-store menu nutrition data
A Chick-fil-A spokesperson has publicly stated that the online nutrition information is the most accurate and up-to-date. It’s possible the higher calorie counts displayed in-store are outdated numbers from an older recipe. Many restaurants change their recipes periodically to remove unhealthier ingredients. Chick-fil-A may have recently updated their Cool Wrap recipe to be lower calorie, but not yet reflected that on the physical menus.
2. Two different Cool Wrap sizes
Another plausible explanation is that the online 350 calorie count describes the standard “small” size Cool Wrap, while the in-store 660 calories is for a larger “full” size. Looking closely at the fine print nutrition disclaimers on the menu boards reveals that calorie amounts are for “full size salads.” So it’s possible customers are unknowingly ordering the larger wrap in-store without realizing it.
Unfortunately, without official clarification from Chick-fil-A, it’s impossible to know definitively which calorie count is accurate for the size you plan to order. But we can make an educated guess based on the evidence.
The Verdict
Given that a spokesperson has publicly vouched for the online nutrition data, the 350 calorie Cool Wrap listed on the Chick-fil-A website is likely the accurate nutrition profile for the standard “small” wrap size that most customers order. The 660 calorie count found on in-restaurant menus probably reflects an outdated number or the larger full size wrap.
However, the only way to know for absolute certain the calorie content of the Cool Wrap you are ordering is to customize and confirm the exact ingredients and size at the time of purchase. Small tweaks like opting for grilled chicken instead of fried or removing the blue cheese can also incrementally reduce the calories. But in general, for the average customer ordering a regular small Cool Wrap, the best currently available estimate puts it close to 350 calories.
Tips for Ordering
To get the most accurate nutrition information for your food when ordering at Chick-fil-A or any other restaurant, keep these tips in mind:
- Check online nutrition data rather than in-store menus when available
- Ask about smaller or lower calorie size options
- Customize by removing high calorie ingredients like cheese or dressing
- Opt for grilled, roasted or steamed protein instead of fried
- Request nutrition details for customized orders to get exact calorie counts
While the conflicting calorie counts for the Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap are confusing, the best estimate based on current information puts it around 350 calories for a small wrap. But your healthiest bet is always to customize your order and get nutrition details tailored to your specific meal.
