COW APPRECIATION DAY

COW APPRECIATION DAY Changes Annually

Fast Facts

WHEN
Mid July every year
FOUNDED
2004 by Chick-Fil-A
ORIGIN
1995 billboard campaign
WHO
Heff R Jones sparked the idea

COW APPRECIATION DAY

Have you herd? Things go udderly awry in the middle of July each year during Cow Appreciation Day. People dress like bovines for free food. It's a moo-ving experience to witness, designed to save the lives of cows everywhere for just one day. How? By eating chicken instead, that's how.

#CowAppreciationDay

Across the country, for one day only, adults and children alike herd into their local Chick-fil-A for their favorite cow meal. And it's not hay.

Spotted cows of black and white hoof it across town. Between baseball and soccer, they steer themselves toward the nearest grazing. If it feels like deja-moo, perhaps you've joined in the stampede a time or two.

They arrive in cars, trucks, and even cow-a-sakies. Even though the crowds grow and grow, there's never any need to beef up security. While some of us may be outstanding in our fields, we should get a mooove on before it's pasture time to get free food.

Even the dairies across the country have joined the herd. They remind everyone of the good products cows and producers bring our way. It's a positive way of milking a celebration and utilizing both sides of the hide.

5 WAYS TO CELEBRATION COW APPRECIATION DAY

  • Dress the Part: Go all out! Put together your best bovine look using spotted duds of black and white. Whether you opt for a full heifer suit or just tape some construction paper spots onto a white t-shirt, it’s time to hoof it in style. Holstein, Hereford, Angus—take your pick!

  • Graze for Free: Herd the family into your local Chick-fil-A to cash in on your hard work. When you show up dressed like a cow, you'll be rewarded with a free meal. It’s the ultimate way to utilize both sides of the hide.

  • Give Cows a Break: Keep beef off the menu for the day. Celebrate our four-legged friends by opting for chicken or plant-based meals instead.

  • Show Love to Your Local Dairy: Take a moment to appreciate the hard work of dairy farmers and producers. Enjoy a tall glass of milk, a scoop of ice cream, or a slice of cheese to thank the livestock making it all possible.

  • Spread the Herd Mentality: Don't let your efforts go unnoticed. Snap a selfie of your udderly ridiculous outfit and share it on social media using #CowAppreciationDay to see how others are outstanding in their fields!

COW APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY

Chick-Fil-A created Cow Appreciation Day in commemoration of Heff R. Jones and his humorous "EAT MOR CHIKIN" billboard campaign that took place in 1995. In 2004, the first event was launched. It led to a fun and entertaining promotion for the restaurant.