Did you know…
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.
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.
There’s one place you can get it all-you-can-eat
Lafayette, Louisiana, residents are lucky: They live near the last remaining Popeyes buffet in the country. Not only can customers sink their teeth into endless fried chicken, but they can pile their plates high with biscuits, mashed potatoes, and other favorites.
Popeyes got its start in New Orleans in 1972. The chain now has 2,000 restaurants worldwide, including locations in Korea, Canada, and Turkey.
In 2014, Popeyes had to purchase the recipes for several of its core menu items for $43 million, reports Bloomberg Business. The recipes originally belonged to Diversified Foods and Seasonings, and the restaurant chain was required to pay a $3.1 million “spice royalty” to use them.
Beyonce is the owner of a free-Popeyes-for-life card after the chain heard she was a fan of their chicken. In 2003, however, Beyonce told Oprah she was too embarrassed to use it. No word on whether that’s changed in the past decade.
Speaking of celebrities, two famous faces appeared in Popeyes commercials before making it big. Comedian Ellen DeGeneres and actress Aubrey Plaza can both be seen in Popeyes commercials.
In China and Korea, Popeyes offers their Red Beans and Rice side item as a dessert. The red beans are topped with sliced strawberries, pineapples, gummies, marshmallows, and cherry and served over ice to create a flavorful slush.
Popeyes was originally named “Chicken on the Run” before founder Alvin Copeland changed it to “Popeyes” several months after opening.
The original “Love that chicken from Popeyes” jingle, which the company debuted in the 1980s, was performed by Dr. John. In addition, Fats Domino and Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters also sang the slogan in commercials for the chain.
Popeyes spokesperson, known as Annie, is played by actress Deidrie Henry. Annie began appearing in commercials in 2009 as a way for the company to enhance its Louisiana brand, reports Advertising Age.
Source: Popeyes & https://www.al.com