Fried chicken is an indispensable part of American culinary culture, and few brands represent this quintessential southern comfort food better than Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. But Popeyes didn’t grow into the number one chicken quick-service restaurant in the U.S. overnight. This iconic chain has a remarkable origin story rooted in the unwavering vision of founder Alvin C. Copeland Sr.
In this article, we’ll explore the tenacious beginnings of Popeyes and how Copeland built it into the global fried chicken powerhouse it is today. From humble roots in New Orleans to worldwide expansion, the journey has been anything but straightforward. However thanks to Copeland’s relentless innovation and dedication to his Louisiana-inspired recipes, Popeyes ultimately found the winning formula.
The Not-So-Promising Start of Chicken on the Run
Long before Popeyes became a household name Alvin Copeland Sr. was just an entrepreneur trying to catch a break in the restaurant business. In 1972, he opened his first fried chicken establishment in Arabi Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, under the name Chicken on the Run.
However, this original restaurant struggled against the fierce competition of bigger chains like Kentucky Fried Chicken. The traditional Southern-style fried chicken recipe failed to differentiate itself. After just a few months of disappointing sales, Copeland realized he needed a drastic change.
Rebirth as Popeyes Saves the Day
Not one to give up easily, Copeland got creative. He leaned into his Louisiana roots, experimenting with seasonings and spices until he landed on a flavorful Cajun-inspired chicken recipe. Four days after shuttering the original location, he reopened the revamped restaurant as Popeyes Mighty Good Fried Chicken.
The new name Popeyes was inspired by Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in the hit 1971 film The French Connection, giving the brand a memorable identity. But more importantly, the chicken itself resonated with New Orleans locals in a way the previous iteration didn’t. Its zesty, peppery kick made it stand out.
Scaling Up Through Smart Franchising
As word of the delicious spicy chicken spread, demand soared. To meet this growing appetite and expand Popeyes’ reach, Copeland adopted an innovative franchising model in 1976. This allowed him to maintain oversight of brand standards while empowering franchisees with operational autonomy.
This approach struck the perfect balance, fueling rapid growth. The first franchise location opened in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and by 1985 there were 500 Popeyes restaurants across the U.S. Today, there are over 3,500 locations globally.
Broadening the Menu’s Horizons
Copeland understood the importance of continuing to evolve the brand. While fried chicken remained the star attraction, he diversified the menu to enhance the Popeyes experience. Signature southern side dishes like red beans and rice, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and coleslaw gave the chain a more complete, Louisiana-inspired profile.
Innovation continued with new regional flavors like spicy mild chicken, boneless wings, and popular limited-time offerings. This culinary creativity ensured Popeyes stayed relevant while honoring its heritage.
The Legacy of Founder Alvin Copeland Sr.
Sadly, Copeland passed away in 2008 at just 64 years old. However, the beloved fried chicken chain he built from the ground up continues to thrive. Now owned by Restaurant Brands International, Popeyes has over 3,500 locations across dozens of countries.
Copeland’s enduring legacy is a testament to the power of unwavering perseverance and creativity. Thanks to his vision, Popeyes remains the undisputed leader in bold, Cajun-style chicken flavors. The brand is proudly carrying on Copeland’s tradition more than 50 years later.
So next time you sink your teeth into a Popeyes signature fried chicken sandwich, biscuit, or side, remember the tenacious founder who made it all possible! Copeland turned struggle into success, forever changing America’s fast food landscape.
Popeyes Fried Chicken Expands
Popeyes was expanding regionally, nationally, and internationally throughout the 1980s, and it was a time of innovation and experimentation for the brand. The slogan “Love that Chicken” was created in 1980, the buttermilk biscuits were introduced in 1983, and crawfish were available on the menu for a time in 1989. By 1985, there were 500 Popeyes locations including Canada. Al Copeland founded Al Copeland Enterprises during this period to house Popeyes as well as his other new chains including Copelands Restaurant which began in 1983. He also founded Diversified Food & Seasonings in 1984, which supplied Popeyes with proprietary products and seasonings for their restaurants.
As exciting as the 1980s were for Popeyes, however, the 1990s would usher in massive changes.
In 1990, Copeland Enterprises was in default due the purchase of Churchs Chicken in 1989 for the sum of $392 million. The entity filed for bankruptcy in 1991. A year later, the court agreed to the formation of Americas Favorite Chicken, Inc. (AFC) which would be the new parent company of both Popeyes and Churchs, and AFC would be owned by the creditors from whom Al lent money. Though Al no longer owned Popeyes, he retained some control due to a deal in which his company Diversified Foods & Seasonings was the supplier of all Popeyes restaurants, and Popeyes was obligated to pay fees totaling several million dollars each year to use Als patented spice blends and food preparation techniques.
Under the ownership of AFC, Popeyes expanded bigger than ever. The chain spread to places like Malaysia and Australia to great success. In 1999, Popeyes celebrated making over $1 billion in annual sales. AFC went public in 2001 with an initial public offering of $142,818,479. Popeyes once again changed its name and rebranded as Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in 2008.
The 2010s were very exciting years for the Popeyes empire. The restaurant chain finally acquired control over its recipes from Diversified Foods & Seasonings on June 17, 2014 for the price of $43 million. Then, Popeyes was purchased by Restaurant Brands International on February 21, 2017 for $1.8 billion.
Popeyes Fried Chicken’s Origin Story
Popeyes was conceived by the late eccentric and genius businessman Al Copeland. Al worked at several now-iconic local food brands as a young man. He left school at the age of 16 and worked at Schwegmanns Grocery in Gentilly and at Tastee Donut, which Als brother Gil partially owned. At the age of 18, Al sold his car to purchase a Tastee Donut from Gil, and it was there that he learned how to manage a food service business.
In his late 20s, Al decided to open a new restaurant that would serve traditional southern fried chicken. He opened Chicken on the Run in Arabi on June 12, 1972, but it closed down after just a few months. Four days later, the restaurant reopened with the new name and a new style of fried chicken. Popeyes Mighty Good Chicken, named after Popeye Doyle of The French Connection, served a spicier fried chicken that was a huge hit with customers. By 1975, the restaurant changed its name to Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken.
Al knew that he had a business model and recipes that could be very successful, so he quickly started franchising Popeyes. The first franchise opened in Baton Rouge in 1976.
You may remember Popeyes being synonymous with Popeye the Sailor. Though it wasnt named for the beloved cartoon character, Popeyes obtained the rights from King Features Syndicate to use the characters from the show for their marketing, decoration, and packaging for 35 years. The fledgling chain also sponsored Popeye & Pals cartoons on local television.
The menu in the early days looked very different than it does today. You could get buckets of fried chicken, but the dinners you could order included clams and livers and gizzards. The dinners were served with your choice of rice dressing and a roll or French fries and a roll. The side orders included bar-b-que beans, onion rings, chicken tacos, corn dogs, and corn on the cob. A 10-piece bucket cost $4.49. A 3-piece dinner that came with either rice dressing or French fries and a roll would be about $1.69. All of the side items cost less than 60 cents for an individual serving.
The Mysterious Origin of Popeyes
FAQ
Who originally owned Popeyes?
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.
Which rapper owns Popeyes?
Megan Thee Stallion, the Grammy-winning rapper, is set to open her own Popeyes franchise, following in the footsteps of Rick Ross. The new restaurant will feature her popular ‘Hottie Sauce’ and is part of her expanding business portfolio.
Where is Al Copeland buried?
He was buried in Metairie Cemetery. In 2008 the Al Copeland Foundation was established under his name. It provides cancer services primarily at Louisiana State University (LSU) and established the Al Copeland/Cancer Crusaders Endowed chair in Endocrine Cancer at LSU in 2011.
How did Al Copeland lose Popeyes?
Popeyes became the third most popular chicken restaurant in the country. But Copeland took on too much when he bought out Church’s Chicken. The move eventually put Copeland into bankruptcy. Although Copeland retained the recipe to the chicken, he lost Popeye’s to creditors in 1992.
When did Popeyes start?
The Birth of Popeyes: From “Chicken on the Run” to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen If you’ve ever wondered about the Popeyes history timeline, it all started in 1972 when Alvin C. Copeland Sr., the Popeyes founder, opened a small restaurant called “ Chicken on the Run ” in New Orleans.
Who owns Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen?
Let’s explore the brand, its ownership, financial value, and more. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. is a popular American fast-food restaurant chain known for its southern-style fried chicken, biscuits, and signature sides. It was founded in 1972 by Alvin C. Copeland Sr. in Arabi, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans.
When was Popeyes famous fried chicken founded?
In 1975, the company was renamed Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken and had been in business since. In 1976, Copeland began franchising his Louisiana-based restaurant chain. With rapid growth on all fronts in the 1980s, Popeyes was a time of invention and experimentation for the business.
Where is Popeyes fried chicken located?
Florida – Louisiana, United States Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., also known as Popeyes and formerly named Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits. is an American multinational chain of fried chicken fast-food restaurants that was founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana and headquartered in Miami, Florida.
Does Popeyes have chicken?
A: Popeyes was founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Q: What makes Popeyes chicken unique? A: Popeyes chicken is known for its Cajun-inspired spices and crispy texture. Q: Are there vegetarian options at Popeyes?
Who owns Popeyes fried chicken?
On March 27, 2017, Restaurant Brands International (RBI) closed the deal to purchase Popeyes at $79 per share via Orange, Inc, an indirect subsidiary of RBI. For a limited time only in 2017, Popeyes offered “Sweet and Crunchy” chicken, which consisted of fried chicken tenders coated in shortbread cookie breading.