Does Church’s Chicken Take EBT Card, SNAP or Food Stamps – Around 41.5 million low-income Americans benefit from the federal funds of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program each month. The program previously known as Food Stamps has strict rules and regulations about the type of food that you can purchase with your SNAP benefits. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded SNAP benefits in the form of the Restaurant Meals Program to benefit specific populations of the program and enable them to use their EBT card at participating restaurants to enjoy hot prepared meals.
If you are enrolled in the SNAP program then you would be probably curious to know whether you can use your SNAP benefits at Church’s Chicken. One of the beloved fast-food chicken restaurants in the world with various locations in America, Church’s Chicken accepts EBT cards in select locations in Arizona. This guide will provide a detailed overview of Church’s Chicken and their policies on EBT. We will help you to know how you can use your SNAP benefits at this restaurant.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Church’s Chicken accepts EBT in select locations
- Limited to Arizona and only for SNAP recipients in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP).
- RMP allows elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals to use SNAP benefits at authorized restaurants for hot meals.
- You can use your EBT card to purchase various menu items at Church’s Chicken, including fried chicken, sides, and desserts.
- Not all Church’s Chicken locations, even in Arizona, participate in RMP.
What Is Church’s Chicken or Church’s Texas Chicken?
Church’s Chicken is a popular American fast-food restaurant chain that is headquartered in Atlanta GA and specializes in serving delectable fried chicken. Besides fried chicken, the restaurant chain is also known for serving jalapenos and honey-butter biscuits.
Founded by George W. Church Sr. as Church’s Fried Chicken To-Go on 17th April 1952 in San Antonio TX the chain is trading as Church’s Chicken or Texas Chicken in various countries today. Church’s Texas Chicken as of 2022 has 1500+ franchises as well as company-owned locations in different 26 countries.
Following are the areas that the restaurant chain is serving in the present day:
- United States of America
- Canada
- Puerto Rico
- Mexico
- Cambodia
- Bahrain
- Qatar
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Tobago
- Thailand
- Venezuela
- Trinidad
- Vietnam
- Honduras
- United Arab Emirates
- Pakistan
- Jordan
- Laos
- Malaysia
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What Is The Restaurant Meals Program And How Is It Related To Church’s Chicken?
The Restaurant Meals Program is an extended version of SNAP benefits that enables few EBT recipients to purchase hot and ready-to-eat meals from participating food trucks, fast food establishments, local restaurants or eateries.
On participating in RMP you can swipe your EBT card to purchase hot meals at any authorized food establishment. You can use your EBT card to pay at restaurants just like you pay for your groceries at retail outlets. The RMP is designed by USDA to benefit the elderly, disabled and homeless populations who are unable to shop and cook food.
The program benefits the specific population and allows them to enjoy hot meals at restaurants and alleviate their hunger. Fortunately, Church’s Chicken is participating in RMP so you can use your EBT card at an authorized Church’s Chicken location in the RMP states.
States That participate In The Restaurant Meals Program
Only select states throughout the United States of America have enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program to enable elderly, disabled or homeless SNAP recipients to purchase hot prepared meals from participating restaurants. These states include the following:
- Arizona
- California
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Rhode Island
- Illinois.
New York State has also applied for the USDA RMP program and will soon join the list once it gets approval. It is important to note that not all restaurants in this RMP-approved state are authorized to accept EBT payments and you must contact your local participating store that has enrolled in RMP before heading to it.
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Does Church’s Chicken Accept EBT Payments or SNAP Benefits?
Popular for its fried chicken and various flavorful sides, Church’s Chicken is one of the most popular fast food restaurants throughout America that accepts EBT in certain locations. By accepting EBT the restaurant allows individuals and families to use EBT benefits to enjoy delectable chicken meals for instance mashed potatoes, coleslaw, chicken and biscuits.
EBT recipients get an affordable and accessible dining experience by using SNAP benefits at Church’s Chicken. The beloved fast food chain is accepting EBT cards in 12 locations in Arizona. Following is the list of original locations where you can find RMP-approved Church’s Chicken location:
- Casa Grande
- Douglas
- Nogales
- Phoenix
- Tucson
- Winslow
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Who Is Eligible To Purchase Food At Church’s Chicken With EBT Card?
To be eligible for the USDA-sponsored Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) SNAP recipients should be certified for the program and must live in a state that is RMP authorized. You can use your EBT card at Church’s Chicken to fulfill any one of the following conditions.
- You must be an elderly person of at least 60 years or above in age
- You must be disabled or receiving disability compensation
- You must be a spouse of a SNAP recipient who is eligible for RMP
- You must be homeless with no permanent nighttime address.
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What Can I Purchase With My EBT Card At Church’s Chicken?
Church Chicken or Church’s Texas Chicken provides chicken combos, tenders and family meals. The family meals and combos comprise more than one side dish including chicken fries, fried okra, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, honey butter biscuits, corn on the cob and jalapeno peppers.
The dessert menu comprises apple pie and a Texas sheet cake cup. You can also enjoy dessert food with your EBT card which includes crispy fish and shrimp. In the below section, we have covered details of the menu available at Church’s Texas Chicken.
- Sandwiches (including Mexican sandwich combo, BBQ chicken sandwich combo, Texas supreme sandwich combo and classic chicken sandwich combo)
- Wraps (including tender wrap, tax wrap combo and Mexican rap combo)
- Chicken meals and combos
- Variety of tender combos
- Classic sides and desserts that include a variety of sauces, fries, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, honey butter biscuits, poutine, gravy, apple pie, biscuits etc.
- Family and kids combo (including a variety of chicken items)
- Drinks (include Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta, Coke zero, Canada dry, Orange juice, Apple juice, Sprite, Dasani).
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How Do I Use My Food Stamps or EBT Card At Church’s Chicken?
Navigating the process of using your food stamps or EBT card at RMP-authorized restaurants is simpler and easier than you may assume. Following is the step-by-step guide to making sure you get a smooth and hassle-free experience while buying fast food at Church’s Chicken with your EBT card.
Verify Your Eligibility
The first and foremost step before heading to Church’s Chicken or any other RMP participating restaurant is to ensure your state is enrolled in the RMP initiative and you can meet the criteria for instance being disabled, elderly or homeless.
Locate Participating RMP Approved Restaurants Near You
As you know not all Church’s Chicken restaurants in America accept EBT cards so you must locate participating restaurants that take EBT cards. You can look for signs at the door or window that state “EBT card holders are accepted” or “We accept EBT cards”.
Order Your Meal
You can look for SNAP EBT eligible signs on the menu as well or enquire the cashier about the meals that you can cover with your EBT card. In some cases, you can get special or discounted meals at Church’s Chicken as well.
Pay With Your EBT And Take The Receipt
When it comes to paying for your food simply why swipe your EBT card just like you use any other debit card and enter your PIN. Collect the receipt so you can know your remaining balance on your SNAP EBT account.
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What Are The General Acceptable EBT Items?
Let’s take a look at the following options that you can generally cover with your EBT card at any grocery store or participating retail outlets.
- Dairy products like almond milk, cheese, milk, butter etc.
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned)
- Cooking oil such as vegetable or olive oil
- Poultry products like eggs and chicken
- Seafood like fish, lobster, shellfish
- Red meat like ribs, steak, ground beef,
- Bread and cereals such as tortillas, rice, bagels, pasta, oatmeal, pita bread, rye bread
- Desert such as cookies, brownies, ice cream
- Snack items including cold sandwiches, candy, chips, snack crackers
- Non-alcoholic beverages and energy drinks
- Pork products like tenderloin, bacon, sausages, chops
- Seeds and plants to produce food
Following is the list of items that you cannot purchase with your EBT card at any locations:
- Vitamins, medicines and supplements
- Alcoholic products like wine, beer, liquor
- Cigarettes or tobacco products
- Live animals (except fish and shellfish)
- Foods that are served hot at the time of sale such as restaurant food
- Non-food items like cleaning supplies, paper products, cosmetics, hygiene items, pet food etc.
Note. It is important to note that even hot prepared food from participating restaurants is not eligible, still you can buy restaurant meals with their EBT benefits if your state is participating in the Restaurant Meals Program and you are visiting an RMP-approved restaurant near you.
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Why Doesn’t Every Church’s Chicken Accept EBT or SNAP Benefits?
Presently 20 Church’s Chicken locations situated in Arizona are accepting EBT payments throughout America. Following is the list of reasons why Church’s Chicken does not accept SNAP benefits in every location.
State-By-State Variation
The RMP program is available only in select locations that include Arizona, California, Rhode Island, Illinois, Maryland and Michigan. Among them, Church’s Chicken has been authorized for the EBT RMP program only in a few Arizona counties so you cannot use your EBT card in any other state.
Voluntary RMP
The Restaurant Meals Program is a voluntary initiative and the federal government does not mandate the state to enroll in this program. Therefore only a few locations are participating in this program and accepting EBT cards. Not all Church’s Chicken franchises or owners are ready to join this program and process EBT.
Administrative Burden
Participating in RMP and accepting food stamp benefits requires complying with strict SNAP eligibility criteria with huge paperwork that makes it difficult for a lot of Church’s Chicken store locations to authorize EBT payment. Even in RMP states, not all Church’s Chicken locations can match the qualifying criteria or participate in RMP.
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What Other Fast Food Chains Accept EBT Payments Through RMP?
Besides Church’s Chicken, various fast food restaurants are accepting EBT payments by enrolling in the Restaurant Meals Program. Let’s take a look at the following fast food chain where you can enjoy your preferred meals through EBT card.
Burger King
Burger King is one of the popular hamburger fast food chains that is accepting EBT in select locations. The chain is popular for serving flame-grilled burgers along with a variety of options at affordable rates. Nearly 112 Burger King locations in Maryland, California and Arizona accept EBT benefits.
Carl’s Jr.
Another fast food restaurant that accepts EBT in certain locations is Carl’s Jr. The restaurant has a focus on sandwiches and charbroiled burgers and offers a wide array of food options for SNAP recipients. Their menu typically comprises different burger creations, salads, salads and chicken items. Nearly 208 Carl’s Jr locations accept SNAP benefits.
Denny’s
The family-friendly dinner chain restaurant Denny’s provides 24/ 7 service with an extensive breakfast menu. They provide breakfast classics such as omelets, pancakes, and breakfast skillets along with burgers, dinner entrees and sandwiches. There are 49 Denny’s locations that accept EBT.
Del Taco
A fast food restaurant that is accepting EBT in specific locations that have authorization Is Del Taco. The restaurant is popular for its Mexican-inspired dishes with American classics. From burritos and tacos to fries and burgers families and individuals enjoy amazing flavors and cover the cost with the EBT benefits. Nearly 141 Del Taco restaurants are accepting EBT.
Domino’s Pizza
The second most popular pizza chain Domino’s Pizza accepts EBT payments and provides a convenient option for food stamp recipients to enjoy a wide variety of pizzas, beverages and sides with the help of SNAP benefits. Their pizzas are popular for their generous topics and delicious taste.
El Pollo Loco
The fast food chain El Pollo Loco specializes in serving flame-grilled chicken along with a variety of menu options including chicken for instance grilled chicken, burritos, bowls and tacos. The food chain is accepting EBT and provides flavourful and affordable options for those who rely on food stamp benefits. Nearly 249 El Pollo Loco restaurants are accepting food stamp benefits.
Jack-In-The-Box
Jack-In-The-box is a well-known fast food restaurant that offers diverse menu options for customers to choose from. Their strength lies in the variety of food options that comprises chicken, burgers, tacos, breakfast items and salads. Nearly 588 Jack-In-The-box fast food chains are accepting EBT benefits.
KFC
The acronym KFC stands for Kentucky Fried Chicken and is a well-known fast food chain that takes EBT or food stamps as a method of payment. Their menu options include wraps, sandwiches, salads and many other items for people with different tastes and preferences. Nearly 140 KFC restaurants accept food stamp benefits.
Papa Murphy’s
The take-and-bake pizza chain Papa Murphy’s accepts food stamps or EBT payments. Customers can choose from a variety of dishes made with fresh ingredients and toppings to customize their pizzas and bake at home. Almost all Papa Murphy locations are accepting EBT from SNAP beneficiaries.
Popeye’s
The fast food chain Popeye’s specializes in serving Louisiana-style fried chicken along with seafood. The restaurant is popular for its crispy and flavorful chicken and signature sides such as rice and red beans. Their menu also features sandwiches, seafood dishes and tenders.
Pizza Hut
The most loved pizza chain restaurant Pizza Hut accepts EBT payments in select locations and provides a wide array of pizzas including specialty and classic options.
The strength of the restaurant lies in its extensive menu which enables customers to choose their toppings, flavors and crust types. These also offer wings, pasta, desserts and many other items to cater to all customers. Around 227 restaurants of Pizza Hut accept EBT.
Subway
The popular sandwich chain Subway accepts EBT payments and provides subs, wraps, salads and many other dishes for customers to choose from. The strength of the restaurant lies in its freshly baked bread and you can choose from a variety of meats or vegetables and sauces. Nearly 709 subway locations are accepting EBT in RMP-approved states.
Taco Bell
The fast food chain Taco Bell specializes in serving Mexican-inspired cuisine. They accept food stamp or EBT payments and provide an affordable option for those on SNAP or food stamps. The strength of the restaurant lies in its diverse menu that features burritos, tacos, quesadillas, Tex Mex favorites etc. You can get customizable and vegetarian options as well.
McDonald’s
One of the world’s popular fast food chains that is popular for its Quarter Pounder, Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets is McDonald’s. The restaurant provides a wide variety of sandwiches, burgers and breakfast items.
McDonald’s even serves salads, and fries with its commitment to provide convenience and consistency and this has made it a global fast food giant. Nearly 194 McDonald’s restaurants are accepting EBT.
Wendy’s
The well-known fast food chain Wendy’s is accepting EBT payments. They provide a wide array of chicken sandwiches, burgers, sides and salads. The strength of the chain lies in its fresh, high-quality never-frozen beef and its commitment to offering high-quality ingredients. Around 86 Wendy’s locations are accepting EBT benefits.
A few more RMP-approved restaurants are as follows:
- DOUBLEZ
- Everytable
- Fatburger
- Frosty King
- Giant Pizza King
- La Pizza Loca
- Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken
- PizzaMan Dan’s
- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
- Primo Burger
- Sombrero
- The Habit Burger Grill
- Tom’s Jr. Burgers
- Vallarta Supermarket
- Waba grill
- Wienerschnitzel
- Wingstop
- Yoshinoya
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Conclusion
Church’s Chicken is a renowned fast food restaurant across the globe that is popular for selling delectable fried chicken items. The fast food restaurant is accepting EBT as a method of payment in select Arizona counties. SNAP beneficiaries who are enrolled in the RMP program can use their EBT card in authorized Arizona counties that have been mentioned in the above section of the article to enjoy a wide array of hot prepared food from Church’s Chicken. It is also important to note that the program has strict guidelines, rules and limitations about where it can be used and the type of food that you can purchase so if you’re relying on food stamps for buying food then follow the guidelines accordingly. Our guide has also thrown light on the list of other participating restaurants that are accepting EBT payments.
We hope that our guide provided the right information and helped you know about EBT policies and guidelines at Church’s Chicken and the location where you can use your EBT card. You can learn more about restaurants that take EBT in our Get Government Grants section today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Texas Chicken And Church’s Texas Chicken The Same?
Church’s Texas chicken is popularly known as Texas Chicken outside America and caters to all customers from different regions and countries. The international restaurant of the brand also includes local specialties to cater to many customers. The one thing that is common is customers enjoy high quality taste and great value of the restaurant’s freshly prepared good quality chicken.
Can I Order Church’s Texas Chicken Online?
Yes, customers can order online with most of the Church’s Chicken locations. You can visit the official website or use Church’s Texas Chicken mobile app both available on Google Play store or App Store to order your favorite food from the restaurant online.
What Food Is Available With Church’s Chicken?
Church’s Chicken offers chicken sandwiches, fish or seafood and a variety of delectable chicken items in all of its store locations. The prices may vary from one location to another so you need to visit your local Church’s Chicken location to know the price of their menu option.