# Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

> Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is a Miami-headquartered quick-service chicken brand built around New Orleans flavor, operationally intensive food preparation and a largely franchised restaurant network. Founded by Al Copeland in 1972, it serves signature bone-in chicken, sandwiches, tenders, wings, seafood, sides, biscuits, desserts and drinks through restaurants, drive-thrus, digital ordering, delivery and catering. Parent company Restaurant Brands International reported 5,413 Popeyes restaurants worldwide at the end of 2025 and about $6.08 billion in 2025 system-wide sales.

- **Founded:** 1972
- **Headquarters:** Miami, United States
- **Founders:** Alvin C. Copeland Sr. (Founder)
- **Team size:** Not separately disclosed. The supplied lead record estimates 100,000 employees, but most restaurant workers are employed by independent franchisees rather than Popeyes corporate.
- **Products:** Signature Chicken, Buttermilk Biscuits, Chicken Sandwich, Wings, Popeyes Rewards and digital ordering
- **Notable:** Expanded from one Arabi, Louisiana restaurant in 1972 to 5,413 global restaurants by the end of 2025., Opened its first franchise in 1976 and its first international restaurant in Toronto in 1984., Reached 500 restaurants in 1985.

## Products & services

- **Signature Chicken** — Bone-in chicken marinated for 12 hours in Louisiana-inspired seasonings, then hand-battered, breaded and fried in restaurants.
- **Buttermilk Biscuits** — A signature side introduced as the chain expanded beyond its original chicken proposition.
- **Chicken Sandwich** — A breaded chicken breast filet on brioche with pickles and classic or spicy spread; its 2019 launch became a national social-media event.
- **Wings** — Bone-in and boneless chicken wings offered with sauces and dry rubs across different heat levels.
- **Popeyes Rewards and digital ordering** — App and web ordering, offers, delivery and loyalty points, with 10 points advertised per eligible dollar spent.
- **Catering** — Customizable group orders for work, celebrations and community events, fulfilled with ezCater support in participating markets.
- **Chicken Wraps** — Portable tender wraps in Classic, Spicy and Blackened Ranch varieties, made permanent in the U.S. in 2026.

## Achievements

- Expanded from one Arabi, Louisiana restaurant in 1972 to 5,413 global restaurants by the end of 2025.
- Opened its first franchise in 1976 and its first international restaurant in Toronto in 1984.
- Reached 500 restaurants in 1985.
- The 2019 chicken sandwich launch sold out nationally and reset competition in the U.S. chicken-sandwich category.
- Acquired by Restaurant Brands International for $1.8 billion in 2017.
- Generated approximately $6.08 billion in global system-wide sales in 2025.
- Made chicken wraps a permanent U.S. menu category in 2026 after a limited 2025 run.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Popeyes partnered with The Surf Lodge in Montauk for a summer chicken-tender activation.
- **2026-05** — Chicken Wraps returned as a permanent U.S. offering, joined by Blackened Ranch and Honey BBQ sandwich variants.
- **2026-04** — Popeyes launched its first anime collaboration with ONE PIECE and Toei Animation across participating U.S. and Canadian restaurants.
- **2026-03** — Chris Padoan was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Popeyes U.S. and Canada.
- **2026-02** — RBI reported that Popeyes ended 2025 with 5,413 restaurants and approximately $6.08 billion in annual system-wide sales.
- **2026-01** — Matt Rubin was appointed Chief Marketing Officer of Popeyes U.S. and Canada.
- **2025-09** — Popeyes and Hot Ones launched a limited heat-tiered menu and a custom video episode.

## Links

- Website: https://www.popeyes.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/popeyes-louisiana-kitchen/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Popeyes
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popeyes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Popeyes/

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Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-13