- A new survey found that 70 percent of singles would consider a first date at a fast food restaurant, with Chick-fil-A as the top pick.
- Respondents said fast food feels low-pressure and low-stakes, while coffee shops were the most popular alternative.
- 38 percent of women called fast food dates “low effort,” compared to 22 percent of men.
When I think of a first date, I want to be wowed—take me somewhere with dim lighting, good wine, and food so good I’m m still thinking about it when I get home, and I’m yours (personality pending). I figured this was the baseline, so consider me stunned that, in reality, people are apparently cool with harsh fluorescent lighting and fast food. Yup, you read that right: standards are slipping—70 percent of singles say they’d be open to having a first date at a fast food restaurant. At least, according to DatingNews.com. The top pick? None other than Chick-fil-A.
DatingNews and Prodege surveyed 1,500 single U.S. adults ages 18 to 61 who are actively dating and found that going for fast food isn’t the deal-breaker I always assumed it was. And hey, I’m not judging—I just personally prefer not to smell like greasy fries and chicken when I get home at the end of the night.
According to the survey, one in five singles would choose Chick-fil-A as their top first-date spot, with Raising Cane’s and In-N-Out Burger tied for second. Fast food restaurants were framed as a low-pressure choice, with singles opting for a relaxed, low-stakes atmosphere over a pricier, high-expectations date-night spot.
Fast food isn’t the only budget-friendly option people are choosing, either. Coffee shops were the top alternative, appealing to 21 percent of women and 18 percent of men, followed by ice cream, mini golf, bowling, and arcades.
Still, not everyone is on board with a romantic evening next to the drive-thru. In the survey, 38 percent of women said fast food dates feel “low effort,” compared to 22 percent of men.
Overall, it seems like people are leaning toward affordable options in laid-back settings—less pressure, more comfort, and maybe even more room for flirting. First stop: Chick-fil-A. Next stop: Casa Amor.