Here's How to Get a Free Chick-fil-A Sandwich Right Now

As evidenced by the long lines outside Chick-fil-A's new restaurants in NYC, people are more than willing to wait for the beloved chain's fried chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. But now, the Georgia-based company said it has cooked up a new way to help you get your food faster -- and it involves free chicken sandwiches.

Starting Wednesday, you can actually skip the line at your local Chick-fil-A by ordering your food and paying via the company's new Chick-fil-A One app. The app also allows you to customize your meals, save your favorites for easy ordering next time, and best of all, earn free food and special offers. It's basically Chick-fil-A's new membership/loyalty program.

"Chick-fil-A One, which replaces the restaurant chain’s previous app, features a unique membership program that will surprise customers with their favorite food for free, based on their preferences and previous orders," the company explained in a press release. "As users order or purchase through Chick-fil-A One, they get closer to their next free offering and can track their progress in the app."

Speaking of free food, Chick-fil-A said it will give you a free chicken sandwich just for downloading (or updating) the app and creating a Chick-fil-A One account between June 1st and June 11th. Specifically, you'll receive an offer for either a free chicken sandwich, spicy chicken sandwich, or grilled chicken sandwich, which you'll be able to redeem through June 30th, according to the press release. We tried it out and it's as simple as it sounds.

As for mobile ordering and customization, here's Chick-fil-A's breakdown on how it all works: "Menu items may be customized via the app, and food is prepared when customers 'check in' at the restaurant on the app. The check-in signals the kitchen to prepare the meal and ensures guests receive fresh food quickly and on their schedule. Customers can pay through the app and then skip the line to pick up their food at the mobile order counter, saving time for guests on-the-go."

The new app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Or if you're lazy and want everyone to know that you're lazy, you can just tweet #CFAOne and the horizontal cow emoji to receive a direct link to the download.

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Tony Merevick is Cities News Editor at Thrillist and could go for a nice fried chicken sandwich right about now. Send news tips to news@thrillist.com and follow him on Twitter @tonymerevick.