Meal Time, Family Time: Chick Fil-A Rewards Families Who Put Away Phones While Eating

Have computers conquered the world? The way people have been so attached to their gadgets would make it seem so, which is why Chick-fil-A in Georgia started a family challenge where customers are encouraged to place their cellphones in a white box during a meal so that they can share quality time with their loved ones instead of being half-present with an eye on their gadget.

Chick-fil-A restaurant owner Brad Williams started the trend when he watched a mother of two spend an entire meal on the phone and ignoring her kids. This made him realize that the scene is actually more common than people realize, leading him to create the Cell Phone Coop Challenge.

Williams shared that gadgets are getting in the way of providing a sense of community for customers as well as quality time with family and friends. "Technology increasingly demands more of our time and can be a big distraction, even while we're eating," Williams said. "This got me thinking about what we could do to reduce this distraction during meals."

Which is why he decided that the will challenge his diners to put their cellphones inside a decorated Chick-fil-A box and keep them there for the duration of the entire meal. If they make it to the end without trying to fish out their phones, then the entire table gets free ice cream.

The challenge is making waves in different branches across the country and in both his restaurants, Williams said that there has been more conversation and chatter now. "The challenge has completely taken off," said Williams. "We have families who aren't successful the first time and come back to try again. We even have people asking to take the boxes home with them!"

If not in Chick-fil-A, this challenge is a good way to bond with the family even at your own dinner table. Do you think you're ready for this?