If you're a fan of the Chick-fil-A calendar (you know the one with the cows and free treats), we've got some bad news for you: The chicken chain is retiring the calendars at the end of this year.
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The annual Cow Calendars have been a long fixture of the chain for 20 years, becoming a popular holiday season gift item for Chick-fil-A customers, some buying them for friends and family, others gifting themselves.
The Cow Calendars feature the iconic Chick-fil-A cows with funny images and sayings that "spread their self-preservation message." But it's not just the cuteness that has made the Chick-fil-A calendar so popular, it's the free treat every month, like a chicken sandwich, Chick-n-Minis, or waffle fries, that comes with the Cow Calendar Card.
Many Chick-fil-A fans are not happy about the company's decision to put the cow calendar out to pasture, taking to social media to vent about the loss.
Chick-fil-A is retiring the cow calendar and this is probably the worst news I've heard in 2 years
— Sierra Jessica Parker (@siedavis_) July 18, 2018
Oh no! Chick-fil-A is discontinuing the cow calendar! What will my mother in law get me for Christmas?!
— Kelsey (@Card_ashi_en) July 18, 2018
Chick fil a announced they ended their cow calendar yesterday and I'm still taking time to process this tragic information ?
— Kelsey Blake (@KelseeBlake) July 19, 2018
The chain promises that all will be well.
"Yes, we have made the difficult decision to retire our annual Cow Calendars at the end of 2018," the company said in a statement online. "We will continue our commitment to take care of customers and offer new ways for you to interact with Chick-fil-A, including Chick-fil-A One which will have some exciting updates coming this August. For guests who purchased the calendar as a holiday gift, we will offer new Chick-fil-A gift cards to purchase in restaurants this holiday season."
The company is hoping that their Chick-fil-A One app will take the place of the calendar, at least in terms of the special monthly offer. Using the app will get customers benefits like easy ordering, bypassing the line to pick up your order, and paying online. Plus, customers that rate their free treat will have the free food offerings tailored to their tastes.