Finding a decent meal before a flight feels like a gamble. You've got the $18 soggy turkey wrap or the questionable heat-lamp pizza. But for anyone flying through the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, there has always been one safe bet. The Chick-fil-A CVG location in Concourse B is practically a landmark for local travelers and Delta hub-jumpers alike.
It's reliable. It’s consistent. It’s exactly what you want when you have forty minutes to kill before boarding.
However, things are changing. If you’ve walked through the terminal lately and felt like the floor plan was playing tricks on you, you aren't crazy. There’s a massive reshuffling happening in the Concourse B food court that is going to change how you grab your nuggets in 2026.
The Big Move: Chick-fil-A CVG is Relocating
If you go looking for the old storefront where it’s been for years, you might find something else entirely. In early 2025, airport officials and the business courier confirmed a major "musical chairs" event for the dining area. Jimmy John's is actually moving into the old Chick-fil-A footprint.
But don't panic. The chicken isn't leaving the airport.
Chick-fil-A CVG is moving into the space formerly occupied by Earl of Sandwich. This isn't just a change of scenery; it's part of a broader effort to modernize the flow of the terminal. The goal is to handle the massive lines that usually snake out into the walking path, especially during the morning rush.
Where Exactly is it Now?
Navigating an airport while half-asleep or sprinting for a connection is stressful. Currently, the most accurate way to find your meal is to head toward Concourse B.
- The Level: 4th Floor (Terminal 3 area).
- The Neighborhood: Right in the heart of the main food court.
- The Crowd: Usually the longest line in the building, but it moves fast.
Kinda weirdly, some older maps still list it in "Terminal 3," which is a bit of a legacy naming convention. Just follow the signs for Concourse B. Honestly, just follow the smell of peanut oil and waffle fries. You can't miss it.
The Sunday Rule (and the Ticket Rule)
We have to address the elephant in the terminal. It’s Sunday. You’re starving. You’re at CVG. Can you get a Spicy Chicken Sandwich?
No.
Even in the high-stakes world of international travel, the "Closed on Sunday" rule remains absolute. It’s one of those things that most people get wrong, assuming that "airport rules" override corporate policy. They don't. If you're flying on a Sunday, you're looking at Skyline Chili or Vino Volo instead.
Also, keep in mind this is an airside restaurant. You cannot just drive to the airport to get Chick-fil-A unless you are a ticketed passenger going through TSA security. I've seen people try. It doesn't work.
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Hours of Operation
The hours at the airport are a little different than your neighborhood drive-thru. They cater to those 6:00 AM departures.
- Monday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday & Thursday: 4:00 AM – 8:30 PM (Early close days)
- Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed (Obviously)
These hours can fluctuate based on flight schedules and staffing, which has been a bit of a rollercoaster for the travel industry lately.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Menu
When you’re at a "licensed" location like an airport, the menu isn't always 100% of what you'd find at a standalone store. Chick-fil-A CVG usually carries the heavy hitters: the Original Sandwich, Spicy Sandwich, Nuggets, and those glorious Waffle Fries.
But don't expect the seasonal milkshakes or every single wrap variation.
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The kitchen space in an airport is tiny compared to a suburban store. They prioritize speed and volume. One pro tip? If you’re there for breakfast (which starts at 4:00 AM), the Chicken Biscuit is the king of the terminal. People swear it tastes better when you’re facing a three-hour flight to Vegas.
Does the App Work Here?
This is the big point of frustration for many. For a long time, airport locations didn't play nice with the Chick-fil-A One app.
As of early 2026, you can often use the app to earn points, but "mobile ordering" for pickup is hit or miss depending on the current tech rollout at the new location. Most people still find themselves using the kiosks at the front of the store. They’ve installed several electronic ordering stations to help bypass the traditional register line. It basically cuts your wait time in half.
Why the Chick-fil-A CVG Move Matters
You might wonder why anyone cares about a fast-food joint moving twenty yards to the left. At CVG, dining real estate is everything. The airport has been aggressively updating its "sense of place." They want local favorites like Graeter's Ice Cream and Braxton Brewing alongside the national giants.
By moving Chick-fil-A CVG into a larger, more efficient footprint, the airport is acknowledging that this is their highest-traffic vendor.
It reduces the "logjam" in the food court. Nobody likes getting hit in the ankles by a suitcase while they're waiting for their Polynesian sauce. The new layout is designed specifically to handle the "gate-rush" phenomenon where 200 people deplane at once and half of them want nuggets.
Actionable Tips for your Next Trip
- Check the day: If it's Sunday, have a backup plan.
- Use the Kiosks: Don't stand in the long "human" line if the screens are open.
- Breakfast Timing: They switch to lunch strictly at 10:30 AM. If you want that biscuit at 10:29, you better be at the front.
- The "Bun Swap": If you’re feeling fancy, you can still ask for a chicken biscuit on a bun instead of a biscuit during breakfast hours—it’s a weirdly popular airport hack.
If you're flying through Cincinnati, keep your eyes on the Concourse B signage for the new location. The walk might be slightly different, but the chicken is exactly the same.
To stay ahead of your travel day, download the CVG Airport app or check the live flight boards to see if your gate is actually near Concourse B, as walking between concourses can take a good ten minutes if you're hauling luggage.