“We like to snorkel and he likes doing whatever we are doing with us. So I thought, ‘let’s figure out a way to let him snorkel with us.’”
If you’ve ever looked around your dinner table and realized every single person — yourself included, no judgment — is staring at a screen, you’re far from alone. And one Chick-fil-A location has come up with a brilliantly simple way to fix that, at least for one meal.
The Challenge: Phones Down, Ice Cream Up
A Chick-fil-A in Towson Place, Maryland, is offering free ice cream to customers who put away their phones during their meal as part of a limited in-store initiative. It’s called the “Chick-fil-A® Cell Phone Coop Challenge,” and the concept is refreshingly straightforward.
According to signage shared by the X account Complex, the instructions read:
“Introducing our Chick-fil-A® Cell Phone Coop Challenge.”
“Ask a Team Member for a coop, place all phones in the coop, and enjoy your meal together.”
“After you finished let a Team Member know and everyone at the table will receive a Icedream® Cone as a reward.”
“Grab a coop and take the challenge.”
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That’s it. No app to download, no loyalty points to redeem and no complicated fine print. You ask for a container, drop in every phone at the table and eat your chicken sandwich like it’s 2005. When you’re done, everyone gets a free Icedream® Cone.
Why This Hits Home for Parents
For parents who spend their evenings negotiating screen time like seasoned diplomats, the appeal here is obvious. This isn’t you being the “phone police” — it’s a fun, low-stakes family challenge with a built-in reward. And when the reward is ice cream, even the most phone-attached teenager might be willing to play along.
The Chick-fil-A Towson Place location also promoted the challenge in a Facebook post, stating:
“Take the Dine-in Cell Phone Coop Challenge at Chick-fil-A Towson Place. Ask a Team Member for a coop, place all phones in the coop, and enjoy your meal together without distractions. When your table finishes, let a Team Member know and everyone will receive an Icedream Cone as a reward. Are you up for the challenge?”
What makes this idea resonate with families is the approach itself: rewards over punishment. Instead of confiscating devices or lecturing kids about being present, the challenge reframes unplugging as something everyone does together — adults included — with a sweet payoff at the end.
You’re Not Imagining It — Phones at Meals Are Everywhere
If mealtimes at your house feel like a losing battle against screens, the data backs you up. According to a 2023 study, 68% of households have someone using a phone during meals with others. That’s more than two out of three families dealing with the exact same frustration.
The same study found that 65% of respondents do not like it, and 42% believe using phones during meals is rude. So the vast majority of people know it’s a problem — they just haven’t found an easy way to change the habit.
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Before You Load Up the Minivan
Here’s the important caveat: the initiative is not a nationwide program. As of now, it’s limited to the Chick-fil-A Towson Place location in Maryland. There’s no word yet on whether other locations might adopt something similar.
Still, the concept itself is worth paying attention to. Whether or not your nearest Chick-fil-A picks up the challenge, the idea of turning phone-free meals into a game rather than a battle is something any family can borrow. You don’t need a branded container — a basket on the counter works just fine. Though admittedly, the free ice cream part is harder to replicate at home without raiding the freezer.
For now, if you’re in the Towson Place area, it might be worth a visit. One device-free meal, a little eye contact and ice cream for the whole table? That sounds like a parenting win.
