Why You Could Be Driving On What Chick-fil-A Is Frying

Chick-fil-A will be soon serving up something new that won’t be found on its menu but rather at the fuel pump as it has partnered with renewable energy producer Darling Ingredients (DAR) to make renewable diesel.

Together the companies will convert Chick-fil-A’s used cooking oil from its more than 2,700 U.S. and Canadian restaurants into renewable fuel that will be sold under the brand name DAR PRO Solutions.

Renewable diesel is different than biodiesel as it is a true hydrocarbon like diesel and can be used in engines without requiring modifications, according to Darling Ingredients. It is also designed to perform better in hot and cold weather and can reduce greenhouse gases by up to 85%, the company said.

Darling Ingredients works to turn hundreds of millions of pounds of used cooking oil into renewable diesel each year. In 2022, it estimates that it will produce more than 700 million gallons of the fuel with ventures like Chick-fil-A.

The low-emissions fuel, which is interchangeable with traditional diesel, is primarily sold in California, Canada, and Europe, where markets mandate low-carbon fuels, according to Darling Ingredients’ website.

“We admire Chick-fil-A’s commitment to reducing food waste and are proud to be part of a solution that keeps food waste out of our landfills while delivering a renewable fuel that reduces GHG emissions,” Sandra Dudley, Darling Ingredients executive vice president, Renewables and U.S. Specialty Operations, said in a statement.

“At Chick-fil-A, we are committed to caring – and that includes caring for others through our food and caring for our planet,” Rodney Bullard, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Chick-fil-A, said.

“Our innovative partnership with DAR PRO Solutions helps us be responsible stewards of the resources at our restaurants and allows us to support the future of renewable transportation fuel – all while positively influencing the communities we serve,” he added.

As of Thursday premarket hours, shares of Darlington Ingredients were trading at $79.00, up $1.00, or 1.28%.