Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is one of the most iconic brands in the fried chicken world. Its spicy, New Orleans-style chicken, signature sides, and recent viral chicken sandwich have made it a favorite across America and beyond. But when you grab your 3-piece meal with red beans and rice, do you ever wonder who owns the Popeyes chicken empire?
The answer is more complex than you might think. Let’s peel back the crispy fried coating and explore the surprising corporate structure behind this famous chicken chain.
Tracing the History: Humble Local Beginnings
The story starts in 1972 when a man named Alvin C Copeland Sr opened the first Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits in a New Orleans suburb. The small restaurant struggled initially under the bland name “Chicken on the Run” before Copeland rebranded it after the character “Popeye Doyle” in The French Connection film.
The new Popeyes name stuck, as did Copeland’s bold new spicy, Cajun-inspired chicken recipe. Through the 1970s and 80s, Popeyes boomed, eventually reaching 500 locations by the mid-80s. Its signature flavors made Popeyes stand out from KFC and other national chains.
Navigating Financial Troubles and Bankruptcy
However, Popeyes’ rollercoaster story encountered major setbacks in the 1990s. Rapid overexpansion led to financial problems and eventually bankruptcy in 1991. But Popeyes rose from the ashes, restructuring under new ownership by America’s Favorite Chicken Company (AFC).
Under AFC in the 90s and 2000s, Popeyes once again found its wings. It honed in on its Louisiana roots and grew steadily in the U.S. market. Overseas, Popeyes expanded into South Korea, Canada, and other markets.
While no longer the founder’s humble startup, Popeyes retained its authentic flavor profile and connection to New Orleans heritage, keeping customers coming back.
Acquisition by Restaurant Brands International
The next major shift came in 2017 when Restaurant Brands International entered the scene. This Canadian-based multinational fast food corporation acquired Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for $1.8 billion, adding it to their portfolio alongside Burger King and Tim Hortons.
Who exactly is Restaurant Brands International, or RBI, and what does this corporate owner mean for Popeyes? Let’s break it down.
The Power Behind the Chicken: Restaurant Brands International
RBI is a fast food industry juggernaut, formed by the 2014 merger of Burger King and Tim Hortons by Brazilian investment firm 3G Capital.
With over $8 billion in annual revenues and 18,000 restaurants worldwide, RBI owns some of the world’s most prominent fast food chains. Their portfolio now includes industry titans:
- Burger King
- Tim Hortons
- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
- Firehouse Subs
RBI operates under a primarily franchise model, meaning most Popeyes locations are owned independently by franchisees who pay fees to RBI. This allows rapid expansion with lower risk.
While no single entity owns a majority stake, RBI’s key shareholders include major investment firms like The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and 3G Capital. These big stakeholders hold sway in guiding RBI’s future.
The Double-Edged Sword of RBI Ownership
Since acquiring Popeyes in 2017, RBI has accelerated expansion, especially in international markets like the Philippines, UK, India, and China. Popeyes’ global footprint now spans over 30 countries.
RBI’s supply chain expertise and marketing muscle contributed to product innovations like Popeyes’ now-legendary chicken sandwich. Sales have surged, and Popeyes opened its 4,000th location in late 2024.
However, RBI’s relentless focus on operational efficiency and cost-cutting has received criticism. Some argue it comes at the expense of food quality and Popeyes’ heritage. RBI ownership appears to be a double-edged sword, fueling growth but diluting brand identity.
The core of the Popeyes brand remains – its signature spicy chicken and flavor mastery. But does an increasing emphasis on profits over quality threaten that legacy? Time will tell how this corporate dynamic evolves.
The Essence of Popeyes Remains in Its Roots
Despite its winding path through bankruptcies and buyouts, the essence of Popeyes still harkens back to its origins in founder Alvin Copeland’s small Louisiana restaurant. The brand may now be part of a massive global conglomerate, but its heritage keeps customers coming back.
Next time you bite into a Popeyes biscuit, consider the brand’s complex history and who holds the reins today. Popeyes is far from Copeland’s intimate startup, but its bold, authentic flavor continues to distinguish this chicken chain from the flock.
Alvin C. Copeland Sr. was a high school dropout who became a multimillionaire restaurateur
Alvin C. Copeland Sr. is the mastermind behind Popeyes, a chain of restaurants specializing in spicy, New Orleans-style chicken.
Chicken on the Run, which became Popeyes, opened its doors in 1972. That one restaurant has grown into a multi-billion business, which is owned by Restaurant Brands International.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QSR | RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. | 67.86 | -1.06 | -1.54% |
Before transforming Popeyes into the fast-food behemoth it is today, Copeland, who was living in a New Orleans housing project, dropped out of high school. At 16 years old, with no training and no special skills, Copeland worked two jobs – days at a local supermarket soda counter and nights at his brother’s doughnut shop.
By 1962, he scraped together enough money to buy his own doughnut shop. However, Copeland had his eye on chicken.
″The chicken business looked pretty attractive to me, but I knew that I’d have to have a product I considered better than Kentucky Fried Chicken’s if I was going to compete,″ Copeland told The Associated Press in the late 80s.
Chicken on the Run boasted fast service, however, according to Popeyes, the shop suffered months of lackluster performance. Copeland had toned down his own pepper-laden, Cajun-style formula at the behest of friends who said it wouldn’t sell. Instead, his shop served traditional Southern-fried chicken but within his first year, he lost almost $13,000.
Armed with his original spicy, New Orleans-style chicken recipe, the restaurateur reopened the shop but called it “Popeyes” after Popeye Doyle, a fictional character played by Gene Hackman in “The French Connection.”
By 1976, he opened his first franchise restaurant in Louisiana.
By the end of the 1980s, Popeyes opened more than 800 of the restaurants, which were owned by the company or franchisers, and Copeland sat at the helm of the company, according to the New York Times.
Despite coming from humble beginnings. Copeland was known for leading quite the extravagant lifestyle later in life. This included sports cars, speed boats and over the top Christmas decorations, the Times reported. However, Copeland also used his fortune to help give Christmas gifts for children in need each year.
Copeland died in Germany at 64 years old after receiving treatment for a rare form of salivary gland cancer, NPR reported.
Copeland was divorced four times and is survived by his nine children and grandchildren.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Popeyes – The Rise and Fall…and Rise Again
FAQ
Who is the current owner of Popeyes chicken?
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. is an American multinational chain of fried chicken restaurants founded in 1972 in New Orleans and headquartered in Miami. It is currently a subsidiary of Toronto-based Restaurant Brands International.
Are Popeyes and Burger King owned by the same company?
Yes, Popeyes and Burger King are both owned by the same parent company, Restaurant Brands International (RBI).
What rapper owns Popeyes?
Megan Thee Stallion is the rapper who owns a Popeyes franchise. She is opening her own Popeyes restaurant, which will also feature her signature “Hottie Sauce”.
Who is the real CEO of Popeyes?
When Cheryl Bachelder became CEO of Popeyes in 2007, the company was dying. Stock price had crashed from $34 to $13. Four CEOs in seven years. Most new CEOs would have come in swinging.
Who owns Popeyes fried chicken?
Alvin C. Copeland Sr. founded Popeyes in 1972 in Arabi, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. Originally named “Chicken on the Run,” the restaurant initially struggled. Copeland rebranded it as Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken (later Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen), drawing inspiration from the Popeye Doyle character in the film The French Connection.
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.
Is Popeyes Chicken a publicly traded company?
Yes, Restaurant Brands International is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange, so individuals can purchase shares of RBI if they wish to invest in the company. To summarize, Popeyes Chicken is owned by the multinational fast-food holding company, Restaurant Brands International.
Who founded Popeyes Chicken?
Popeyes Chicken was founded by Al Copeland in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It began as a small fried chicken restaurant but quickly gained recognition for its flavorful, authentic Louisiana-style cuisine. 6. Did the original founder retain any ownership after the acquisition?
Does Al Copeland own Popeyes Chicken?
No, Restaurant Brands International acquired Popeyes Chicken in its entirety, and Al Copeland did not retain any ownership in the company. 7. Is Popeyes Chicken operated independently within RBI? Yes, Popeyes Chicken operates as an independent brand within the Restaurant Brands International portfolio.
Where are Popeyes fried chicken restaurants located?
United States. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.[a] is an American multinational chain of fried chicken restaurants founded in 1972 in New Orleans and headquartered in Miami. It is currently a subsidiary of Toronto-based Restaurant Brands International.