Take a tasty trip through time to learn about the evolution of our locally-borne, world-famous brand.
Saint Louisans love Popeyes chicken, and people all over the world love the New Orleans-style fried chicken restaurant. From its small beginnings in Arabi to becoming famous all over the world, Popeyes has shown over and over again that it is one of the best fast food chains.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, with its signature spicy fried chicken, is one of America’s most iconic fast food chains. But who is the mastermind behind this global phenomenon? The founder of Popeyes is Alvin C. Copeland Sr., a larger-than-life entrepreneur and culinary innovator from New Orleans.
From Humble Beginnings to Fried Chicken Fame
Copeland overcame a hard childhood in New Orleans to become a fried chicken mogul. He was born in 1944 and quit high school when he was 16 years old. A soda jerk and a doughnut shop were some of the odd jobs he had before he bought his brother a doughnut franchise and got his first taste of running a restaurant. This event sparked an interest in Copeland and showed him his natural abilities for cooking and starting a business.
Copeland opened a fried chicken place called Chicken on the Run in 1972. But the traditional Southern-style chicken failed to differentiate itself. Copeland went back to the drawing board and completely changed the recipe, drawing on the bold, spicy flavors of Louisiana.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen took the place of Chicken on the Run. It was named after Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle from the hit movie The French Connection. This new identity aligned perfectly with the New Orleans-inspired menu.
Taking Popeyes National with Speed and Spice
Right away Popeyes chicken stood out from the competition. The chicken was marinated for 12 hours in a secret mix of Louisiana spices that made sure all the flavors got into the meat. The Creole-style spice mix added a kick to every bite, which kept people coming back for more.
Copeland pioneered clever marketing tactics that complemented the sensory experience of his chicken. The sights, sounds, and aromas of Popeyes restaurants evoked the lively spirit of New Orleans.
By 1976, Copeland began aggressively franchising Popeyes. Over the next decade, hundreds of outlets popped up across America. Popeyes skyrocketed from a humble local chain to a national fried chicken powerhouse.
Challenges, Comebacks, and Changes in Leadership
Despite phenomenal growth in the 80s, Popeyes hit financial turmoil in the early 90s. The company declared bankruptcy in 1991 but underwent restructuring and rebounded stronger than ever.
Copeland’s entrepreneurial drive led him to other ventures like steakhouses and comedy clubs, but Popeyes remained his crowning achievement. The brand continued to expand and innovate after his passing in 2008 at age 64.
Today, Popeyes is owned by Restaurant Brands International, joining brands like Burger King and Tim Hortons. There are over 3,500 Popeyes worldwide, staying true to the Louisiana flavors that made them famous. Copeland’s larger-than-life personality left an indelible mark on the brand.
The Legacy of Al Copeland Lives On
More than just a businessman, Al Copeland was a true culinary pioneer. He turned his passion for cooking into an empire that brings New Orleans spirit to every community with a Popeyes. The chain’s popularity proves that Copeland’s bold vision for spice and flavor was right on the money.
Beyond the billions of dollars in sales, Copeland created a beloved brand that holds a special place in popular culture. Popeyes represents the American dream – one man’s hard work and innovation created a lifetime of success and opportunity. Copeland proved that vision, risk-taking and perseverance pay off.
So next time you savor that crispy, spicy Popeyes chicken, thank Alvin C. Copeland Sr. for turning comfort food into a global sensation, one signature Louisiana-style recipe at a time. His zestful legacy will spice up meals for generations to come.
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. It was named after Popeye Doyle from The French Connection. Popeyes Mighty Good Chicken served hotter fried chicken that people loved. By 1975, the restaurant changed its name to Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken.
Al was sure that his business plan and recipes would make him a lot of money, so he started franchising Popeyes right away. 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. You could get your dinner with either French fries and a roll or rice dressing 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. About $1 would get you a three-piece dinner with corn salad, French fries, and a roll. 69. All of the side items cost less than 60 cents for an individual serving.
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.
The Mysterious Origin of Popeyes
FAQ
Who is the real owner of Popeyes chicken?
Who originally started Popeyes chicken?
Alvin Charles “Big Al” Copeland was an American businessman who started the Popeyes fast food chain. He was born February 2, 1944, and died March 23, 2008. He was also a successful restaurateur who created many successful upscale restaurants.
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 was Popeyes’ original CEO?
Popeyes was founded in 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by Al Copeland, who was what we would now call a foodie.
Who founded Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits?
In 1972, Al Copeland founded the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits fast food chain in the New Orleans suburb of Arabi in St. Bernard Parish. He named the restaurant after Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in the 1971 film “The French Connection” (but not Popeye the Sailor).
Who invented Popeyes fried chicken?
A high school dropout, Copeland began capturing public attention in 1972, when he opened Popeyes Mighty Good Fried Chicken in Arabi, La. The spicy Cajun flavor, well-suited to local tastes, caught on quickly, laying the foundations of Copeland’s fast-food empire.
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 did Popeyes start?
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. Buttermilk biscuits were first served in 1983, and crawfish were briefly included on the menu in 1989 under the slogan “Love that Chicken. “.
Where is Popeyes restaurant located?
Louisiana’s St. Bernard Parish community of Arabi was the birthplace of Popeyes, and the company’s headquarters are located there. On June 12, 1972, Popeyes, as “Chicken on the Run,” opened its doors to the public for the first time. After a few months, Al Copeland’s restaurant struggled to compete with Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Who owns Popeyes?
Popeyes is fully owned by Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI), a Canadian-based multinational fast-food holding company. The acquisition was finalized in March 2017, and since then, Popeyes has operated as one of RBI’s core restaurant brands alongside Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Firehouse Subs. Here’s a quick summary of who owns Popeyes: