Chick-fil-A Insists Their Waffle Fries Are 'Not Going Anywhere' amid Rumors They're Being Replaced (Exclusive)

Chick-fil–A fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Despite recent speculation circulating social media, the fast-food franchise does not have any plans to take their iconic waffle fries off the menu. 

In a statement to PEOPLE, the company says that “guests do not need to worry – our much-loved Waffle Fries are not going anywhere!” 

The rumors about the fast food franchise’s plans to discontinue their waffle fries first started circulating on July 20, when TikTok user Briana Solano said she was a Chick-fil-A employee and claimed that the franchise allegedly planned to “take away” their waffle fries.

She was eating what looked like a regular-shaped fry while she shared the news.

Racking up over 3.2 million views online, Solano's video sparked confusion and disappointment from other users across the platform. Some made their own videos dedicated to the waffle fries while others shared their collective disappointment around the alleged change.

"So it's true Chick-fil-A is stop selling waffle fries," one user lamented on July 21, while another on July 22 sat in grief and asked her followers for answers.

"PLEASE TELL ME ITS NOT REAL," she wrote. "THIS IS WORSE THAN A BREAKUP.💔"

Had TikTok users gone back to Solano page, they would have seen the news was not real. The alleged employee had posted a follow-up TikTok, clarifying the rumors were not true. She even admitted she "didn’t expect [the video] to blow up” the way it did. 

PEOPLE reached out to Solano for comment. As of Thursday, July 25, she had deleted both videos from her page.

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As that rumor dies online, Chick-fil-A tells PEOPLE they are begging to test a “refreshed Waffle Fry recipe at select U.S. restaurants.” 

According to the eatery's website, the recipe change is part of a larger test “to maintain the same great flavor guests have come to love” and address one of the main concerns that customers have about the fries – their crispiness.  

The original waffle fry recipe uses canola oil to fry them until they are “crispy outside and tender inside” and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt. However, the new recipe that is being tested will use “a blend of starches”  that’s aimed at making the fries crispier.

A final decision around the recipe change has not been finalized, but Chick-Fil-A has opened up the comments and encouraged customers to leave their feedback online about the new recipe.