Forty-seven years ago in New Orleans, Louisiana, a taste sensation was born. What began with one small restaurant and one big idea turned into a craze that swept the nation—and the world.
After several months of lackluster performance, he reopens the restaurant as “Popeyes” (after Popeye Doyle of The French Connection). This time he sells spicy, New Orleans-style chicken.
Popeyes becomes the number-three quick-service chicken chain based on number of units.
Popeyes receives MenuMasters Award for Louisiana Legends for its rice dishes.
Popeyes celebrates new heritage-designed restaurants in Atlanta, GA.
The Popeyes brand reinvents itself as Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen based on its long-standing roots in Louisiana-inspired home cooking. This includes a new logo, distinctive new products and a new advertising campaign touting “LOUISIANA Fast.”
Popeyes introduces feisty spokesperson Annie on national television to tell it like it is.
Popeyes launches first Popeyes Payday.
Wicked Chicken wins MenuMasters Award for Best Limited-time Offer.
Popeyes BONAFIDE® Chicken beats KFC® Original Recipe® in National Taste Test.
Popeyes launches non-breaded chicken tenders called Louisiana Leaux™ with flash mob in French Quarter. This item is now known as “Blackened Tenders.”
Popeyes introduces Rip’n Chick’n.
Popeyes introduces Dip’n Chick’n.
The Popeyes Foundation, Inc. announces partnership to benefit the ProStart® program to develop the next generation of food-zealot restaurateurs.
Popeyes partners with a Louisiana iconic brand to launch Zatarain's Butterfly Shrimp.
Popeyes and Coca-Cola® “wrap” up 2012 with three unique, custom, one-of-a-kind holiday designer collector cups.
Popeyes debuts Chicken Waffle Tenders.
Popeyes announces Love That Chicken Month in September for National Fried Chicken Month.
The Popeyes and Coca-Cola® holiday cups return with three new custom designs.
Popeyes introduces the $5 BONAFIDE® Big Box.
Popeyes returns its beloved Chicken Waffle Tenders.
Popeyes becomes title sponsor of the Inaugural Bahamas Bowl.
The Inaugural Popeyes Bahamas Bowl gets nominated for Best Play at the 2015 ESPY Awards. Popeyes hosts its second annual Bahamas Bowl.
1972
Alvin C. Copeland Sr., opens “Chicken on the Run” in the New Orleans suburb of Arabi, serving traditional Southern-fried chicken.After several months of lackluster performance, he reopens the restaurant as “Popeyes” (after Popeye Doyle of The French Connection). This time he sells spicy, New Orleans-style chicken.
1976
Popeyes opens first franchise restaurant in Louisiana.1980
Popeyes introduces its “Love That Chicken” from Popeyes tagline.1983
Popeyes introduces buttermilk biscuits, which later became a significant menu item.1984
Popeyes goes global and expands to Toronto, Canada.1985
Popeyes opens its 500th restaurant in Landover, Maryland, putting the brand on equal footing with national competitors.Popeyes becomes the number-three quick-service chicken chain based on number of units.
1989
Popeyes introduces crawfish as a limited-time offer in the United States.1991
Popeyes expands its international presence in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.1992
America’s Favorite Chicken Company (also known as AFC Enterprises, Inc.) is formed and purchases both Popeyes and Church’s Chicken®.1993
Popeyes enters a new era of growth as PLK begins updating the look of Popeyes restaurants.1997
Popeyes celebrates 25 years of success.1999
Popeyes surpasses one billion-dollar annual sales mark for the first time.Popeyes receives MenuMasters Award for Louisiana Legends for its rice dishes.
2001
Popeyes becomes the number-two quick-service chicken chain based on number of units.Popeyes celebrates new heritage-designed restaurants in Atlanta, GA.
2002
Popeyes celebrates its 30-year anniversary.2008
Popeyes launches the BONAFIDE® brand positioning.The Popeyes brand reinvents itself as Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen based on its long-standing roots in Louisiana-inspired home cooking. This includes a new logo, distinctive new products and a new advertising campaign touting “LOUISIANA Fast.”
2009
Popeyes launches Butterfly Shrimp Tackle Box.Popeyes introduces feisty spokesperson Annie on national television to tell it like it is.
Popeyes launches first Popeyes Payday.
2010
Popeyes introduces Wicked Chicken and Cane Sweeeet Iced Tea™.Wicked Chicken wins MenuMasters Award for Best Limited-time Offer.
Popeyes BONAFIDE® Chicken beats KFC® Original Recipe® in National Taste Test.
2011
Popeyes opens 2,000th restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee.Popeyes launches non-breaded chicken tenders called Louisiana Leaux™ with flash mob in French Quarter. This item is now known as “Blackened Tenders.”
Popeyes introduces Rip’n Chick’n.
Popeyes introduces Dip’n Chick’n.
The Popeyes Foundation, Inc. announces partnership to benefit the ProStart® program to develop the next generation of food-zealot restaurateurs.
2012
Popeyes celebrates 40th anniversary and announces plans for system-wide remodeling of its restaurants.Popeyes partners with a Louisiana iconic brand to launch Zatarain's Butterfly Shrimp.
Popeyes and Coca-Cola® “wrap” up 2012 with three unique, custom, one-of-a-kind holiday designer collector cups.
2013
Popeyes introduces the Cajun Surf & Turf. A twist on the traditional Surf & Turf, done the Popeyes way!Popeyes debuts Chicken Waffle Tenders.
Popeyes announces Love That Chicken Month in September for National Fried Chicken Month.
The Popeyes and Coca-Cola® holiday cups return with three new custom designs.
2014
Popeyes debuts its Beer Can Chicken.Popeyes introduces the $5 BONAFIDE® Big Box.
Popeyes returns its beloved Chicken Waffle Tenders.
Popeyes becomes title sponsor of the Inaugural Bahamas Bowl.
2015
Popeyes presents its Red Stick Chicken.The Inaugural Popeyes Bahamas Bowl gets nominated for Best Play at the 2015 ESPY Awards. Popeyes hosts its second annual Bahamas Bowl.