Brian Nagele
Popular fast food company Popeyes is well-known for its mouth watering fried chicken and biscuits. But have you ever questioned whose business this is? The organization that owns Burger King, Tim Hortons, and other fast food chains globally is Restaurant Brands International (RBI).
Burger King and Tim Hortons merged to become RBI in 2014; in 2017, it added Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen to its portfolio for $1.8 billion.
Since that time, the business has been able to use its knowledge of the fast food sector to support Popeyes’ growth and global expansion.
Despite having RBI as its parent company, Popeyes continues to function as an independent business with its own distinctive brand and menu options.
With RBI’s support, Popeyes has been able to preserve its uniqueness while gaining access to the resources and knowledge of a bigger company.
As a result, Popeyes has maintained its success and increased its appeal to fans of fast food.
Popeyes History
A fried chicken-focused fast food chain is called Popeyes.
The chain has a long, illustrious history that began in 1972.
The creation of Popeyes and its purchase by AFC Enterprises are both covered in this paragraph.
Founding of Popeyes
Alvin C. Copeland Sr. created Popeyes in 1972.
Copeland chose to grow his business after opening a successful little eatery in New Orleans called “Chicken on the Run.”
In honor of Popeye the Sailor, he changed the name of the eatery to Popeyes and added new locations.
Popeyes was renowned for its flavorful side dishes and spicier chicken.
The chain soon shot to fame and became well-known. Popeyes went public in 1984, making Copeland a fortune.
Acquisition by AFC Enterprises
America’s Favorite Chicken Company (AFC Enterprises, Inc.) bought Popeyes in 1992.
Another well-known fast food company, Church’s Chicken, was also acquired by AFC Enterprises.
AFC Enterprises is now the second-largest network of fast-food chicken restaurants in the world thanks to the acquisition.
Popeyes continued to grow and roll out new menu options under AFC Enterprises. Popeyes debuted its renowned Bonafide Chicken in 2001, and it soon gained popularity among customers.
The chain also opened branches abroad, in Canada, Puerto Rico, and a number of other nations.
Burger King and Tim Hortons’ parent company, Restaurant Brands International, bought Popeyes in 2017.
As a beloved fast-food restaurant that specializes in mouth watering fried chicken, Popeyes has been able to grow and develop thanks to the acquisition.
In general, Popeyes has a lengthy history spanning more than five decades.
The company has experienced a number of modifications over the years, but because of its distinctive flavors and cutting-edge menu items, it has managed to retain its popularity with customers.
Who Owns Popeyes Today?
Restaurant Brands International (RBI), a multinational fast food holding corporation based in Canada, presently owns Popeyes.
By combining Tim Hortons with Burger King, RBI was created in 2014. Popeyes was added to RBI’s brand portfolio in 2017 after it was purchased by RBI for $1.8 billion.
With a global presence in more than 100 countries, RBI is based in Toronto, Ontario.
Tim Hortons, Burger King, and Popeyes are the three core brands of the corporation, and they all operate as separate companies under the RBI umbrella.
Popeyes has continued to broaden its global reach and add new menu options while being owned by RBI.
2020 saw the brand introduce its first-ever chicken sandwich, which instantly went viral and supported sales growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s obstacles.
Although RBI is the current owner of Popeyes, the company has owned the brand previously.
Al Copeland created the franchise in New Orleans, Louisiana, and sold it to America’s Favorite Chicken Company (AFCC) in 1991.
In 2008, AFCC changed its name to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and nearly ten years later, RBI purchased the business.
In conclusion, Restaurant Brands International, a multinational fast food holding corporation based in Canada that also owns Burger King and Tim Hortons, currently owns Popeyes.
Since acquiring the fried chicken franchise in 2017, RBI has kept up its investment in Popeyes and assisted in expanding its global footprint.
Popeyes Financials
Popeyes is a division of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), a worldwide holding corporation for fast-food restaurants based in Canada.
Tim Hortons and Burger King are also owned by RBI. Since its 2017 acquisition, Popeyes has made a substantial contribution to RBI’s revenue.
Popeyes achieved $4.4 billion in system-wide sales in 2020, a 17.4% increase from the prior year, according to RBI’s annual report.
It achieved an incredible performance in the very competitive fast-food sector by increasing same-store sales by 17.4%.
Popeyes’ success can be credited to its well-liked menu items, which include their famous chicken sandwich, which was introduced in 2019 and shot to fame online.
The business’ marketing activities and partnerships with well-known celebrities and influencers have also aided in its expansion.
Popeyes has been concentrating on growing its presence in Asia, especially in China, where it established its first outlet in 2020, when it comes to international expansion.
Over the following ten years, the firm intends to launch more than 1,500 restaurants in China.
Overall, Popeyes’ financials show how successful it is as a fast-food franchise and how much room it has for future domestic and foreign expansion.
Popeyes Menu and Expansion Plans
A fried chicken-focused fast food chain is called Popeyes.
The business has been growing quickly lately, and it anticipates opening over 200 additional stores in North America by 2022.
Popeyes’ overarching aim to grow its market share and contend with rival fast-food businesses includes this growth.
Popeyes has been increasing both its physical presence and its culinary offerings. The business is well-known for their iconic chicken sandwich, which was first offered in 2019 and rapidly went viral.
Since that time, Popeyes has kept adding new foods to its menu, including its Cajun Flounder Sandwich and Chicken Nuggets.
In addition, Popeyes has been experimenting with plant-based foods, which are becoming more and more well-liked in the fast-food sector.
Customers praised the company’s introduction of a plant-based chicken sandwich in 2021, which was available in only a few places.
In order to expand its menu, Popeyes has said that it will continue to look into plant-based solutions.
Popeyes has been investing in technology and automation to assist its expansion objectives.
The business has been testing robots in a few of its eateries to assist with jobs like cleaning and frying chicken.
This technological investment aims to increase productivity and cut expenses, enabling Popeyes to keep growing its business while retaining profitability.
In general, Popeyes’ menu and growth strategies reflect the company’s dedication to development and innovation.
Popeyes is establishing itself as a significant participant in the fast-food sector by introducing new menu items and making technology investments.
It is obvious from Popeyes’ aggressive expansion plans that the company is committed to keeping up its growth and outpacing other fast-food businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Popeyes?
Popeyes is currently a subsidiary of Toronto-based Restaurant Brands International. On February 21st, 2017, the company purchased the Popeyes brand for a reported $1.8 billion. It also owns other fast-food chains like Burger King and Tim Hortons.
Is Popeyes a fast-food restaurant?
Yes, Popeyes is a fast-food restaurant. It was founded in 1972, decades after other fast-food mainstays like McDonald’s and Jack in the Box. The first Popeyes restaurant opened in the Arabi suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana.
How many locations does Popeyes have?
As of 2023, Popeyes has over 3,400 locations in more than 25 countries around the world. The majority of its restaurants are located in the United States, but it also has a significant presence in countries like Canada, Mexico, and China.
What kind of food does Popeyes serve?
Popeyes is known for its fried chicken, which is marinated for 12 hours before cooking to give it a unique flavor. It also serves various sides like biscuits, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw, as well as seafood dishes like shrimp and fish.
Does Popeyes have any vegetarian or vegan options?
While Popeyes is primarily known for its fried chicken, it does offer some vegetarian and vegan options. Its sides like red beans and rice, green beans, and corn on the cob are vegetarian-friendly. It also has a vegan-friendly menu item called the “Vegan Chicken Sandwich,” which features a plant-based patty made from soy protein.
