NEW LONG FORM VIDEO: Why Popeyes is falling apart
In August 2019, Popeyes launched its now-famous chicken sandwich and sparked a nationwide frenzy after playfully challenging Chick-fil-A on Twitter with a simple message: “Y’all good?” The sandwich became an instant sensation, selling out across the country and turning Popeyes into one of the hottest fast food brands in America.
But seven years later, the story looks very different. Popeyes has reported six consecutive quarters of declining same-store sales, and one of its largest franchisees has filed for bankruptcy.
You might assume Popeyes started struggling because its food quality declined or customers simply lost interest. But the real reasons behind its troubles are far more complicated.
So how did a brand that once dominated the fast food conversation go from record-breaking demand to struggling sales and franchise bankruptcies?
This is the rise and fall of Popeyes.