In the summer of 2019, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen released a new fried chicken sandwich that took the fast food industry by storm. The Popeyes chicken sandwich was an instant hit, with customers lining up out the door at many locations. However, the massive demand quickly led to nationwide shortages within just two weeks of the launch. This left many hungry customers wondering: when will Popeyes have the popular chicken sandwich back in stock?
The Debut of the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich
Popeyes first announced they would be releasing a new crispy chicken sandwich on Twitter on June 19, 2019. The sandwich was slated to be available nationwide starting August 12, 2019.
The new sandwich featured a buttermilk battered and breaded white meat chicken filet, topped with pickles and a choice of mayo or a new Popeyes signature spice blend. It was served on a toasted brioche bun.
Popeyes’ new entrant into the fried chicken sandwich competition was priced at $3.99, undercutting sandwiches from rival chains like Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s by a dollar or more.
Customers Flock to Try the New Sandwich
The Popeyes chicken sandwich was met with enthusiasm from customers right away. People flooded Popeyes locations across the United States to get a taste of the new menu item.
Many reviewers and food critics agreed that Popeyes’ version was crispier and more flavorful than chicken sandwiches from competitors. The combination of a flaky, crunchy exterior and a juicy interior seemed to hit the mark.
Enthusiastic fans did not hesitate to take to social media to share their satisfaction with the new Popeyes sandwich. One Twitter user even declared that the Popeyes chicken sandwich “might be better than Chick-fil-A.” High praise in the fast food chicken world!
The sandwich was so popular that many Popeyes locations reported being completely sold out within just 2 weeks of the launch on August 12.
A Viral Social Media Debate
As the hype around the Popeyes chicken sandwich grew, a viral social media debate flared up around which chain had the best offering.
The newly minted Popeyes sandwich gained the upper hand over long-favored Chick-fil-A sandwich in this battle of chicken sandwich supremacy.
Popeyes leaned into the debate, responding cheekily on twitter to jabs from Chick-fil-A fans defending the classics. Other brands like Wendy’s chimed in with their own hot takes as the rivalry heated up online.
This social media buzz helped make the new Popeyes chicken sandwich into a viral phenomenon far beyond just another fast food menu item. It was a bona fide cultural moment!
The Great Chicken Sandwich Shortage of 2019
By August 27, 2019, just 15 days after launch, Popeyes announced it had officially sold out of its inventory of chicken sandwiches across the country.
With demand far outpacing supply from the start, the company simply couldn’t keep up production to meet the frenzied buyer demand.
Confusion and Disappointment
Understandably, many customers were confused and disappointed to learn they couldn’t get their hands on the coveted Popeyes chicken sandwich they had heard so much about.
Visits to Popeyes outlets were often met with apologetic signage stating: “No chicken sandwich here! SOLD OUT”.
The letdown was real. But Popeyes urged customers to stay patient while they worked to bring the menu item back as soon as possible.
Lingering Effects
Even once the initial shortage was resolved after a couple months, the Popeyes chicken sandwich continued to be in high demand with tight inventory for quite some time after.
Many franchise locations enforced per customer limits on chicken sandwich purchases to ensure broader availability. Drive thru lines commonly wrapped around buildings when word got out that a location had the sandwich back in stock.
It’s clear this was not just a one time craze, but a pivotal new core menu item for Popeyes that generated lasting excitement.
The Return of the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich
After two painful months without their prized creation, Popeyes began restocking the infamous chicken sandwich starting November 3, 2019.
The company apologized for the extended shortage in a Facebook video, while also celebrating the passion customers had shown for their product.
Popeyes assured the public they were working tirelessly to get the sandwich back into restaurants as soon as possible. But supplies would still be limited as they worked to ramp up production.
A Gradual Rollout
The chicken sandwich comeback started with select locations on November 3, expanding to most Popeyes restaurants by early December.
However, it did take until early 2020 for inventory levels to stabilize nationally. Backlogs of pre-orders kept many franchises from getting all the product they needed for several months.
Popeyes also ran limited time offers periodically in 2019 and 2020 featuring free chicken sandwiches with minimum purchase amounts to celebrate the return.
Ongoing Popularity
Once back in regular circulation, the in-demand chicken sandwich showed no signs of giving up its buzzworthy status.
Locations continued to encounter instances of selling out the sandwich on busy days. Stories popped up in the news when frustrated customers had extreme reactions to shortage disappointments.
Popeyes recently reported that the chicken sandwich makes up 30% of their sales, an unusually high mix for one menu item. It’s clear this signature sandwich is still a top choice for loyal fans and new customers alike.
The Popeyes Chicken Sandwich maintains its reputation as a must-try icon of recent fast food history. While the initial mania may have slowed, interest and enjoyment remain high.
Competitors Follow Suit
The massive success of the Popeyes chicken sandwich spurred many fast food competitors to rethink their own chicken sandwich offerings.
Chains like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Shake Shack and more amplified their focus on chicken sandwiches following the Popeyes phenomenon.
Here are some significant competitor reactions:
McDonald’s
| Date | Action |
| February 2020 | Expanded chicken sandwich test market to additional locations after promising early sales |
| November 2020 | Added Crispy Chicken Sandwich line to nationwide menu |
Chick-fil-A
| Date | Action |
| October 2019 | Announced new “Chick-fil-A Coins” rewards program to boost loyalty |
| March 2020 | Debuted new and improved recipe for signature chicken sandwich |
Wendy’s
| Date | Action |
| February 2020 | Added Big Chicken Sandwich and Spicy Chicken Sandwich to Made to Crave menu lineup |
| October 2021 | Launched nationwide “Best Chicken Sandwich Ever” campaign |
The Popeyes Effect
It’s clear the infectious popularity of the Popeyes chicken sandwich didn’t stop with just Popeyes. The effects rippled across the broader fast food landscape in the months and years after its debut.
More Chicken Sandwich Options
Most noticeably, competing chains scrambled to develop or revamp their own chicken sandwich offerings to keep up. Fast food mainstays like McDonald’s even deviated from standard menu development timelines to accelerate new sandwich rollouts.
There is no doubt the glowing reception of the Popeyes product was a catalyst driving increased prioritization of chicken sandwiches across the board.
More Advertising Focus
Fast food brands also notably increased their advertising spotlight on chicken sandwiches in wake of the Popeyes hype. Commercials, promotional offers, and social media campaigns all started leveraging fried chicken sandwiches as a key product focus.
Wendy’s “Best Chicken Sandwich Ever” campaign and McDonald’s “Famous Orders” ads featuring new crispy chicken sandwiches exemplified this trend towards outsized chicken sandwich advertising.
Ongoing Buzz
The social media debates and news coverage about the “chicken wars” also continued in the months and years after the Popeyes shortage first erupted.
Popeyes generated buzz and kept the conversation fresh with pickle-flavored christmas trees during the 2019 holiday season as a nod to their famous chicken sandwich ingredient.
Competitors like Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s continue taking good-natured jabs at each other over whose sandwich reigns supreme, keeping the chicken sandwich chatter alive.
The Chicken Sandwich Craze Lives On
While the mania of August 2019 has subsided, the Popeyes chicken sandwich remains a hot commodity generating massive popularity and profits.
It achieved over $400 million in additional system-wide sales within a year of its launch according to Restaurant Business.
Lines still form out the door during peak weekends or limited-time sandwich promotions at many Popeyes franchises. Availability issues may pop up here and there, but nothing reminiscent of the 2 month national stock-out.
Legacy Secured
By achieving such instant blockbuster success, the Popeyes chicken sandwich has reserved its place among fast food’s most legendary menu item launches.
Its reputation and staying power matches iconic hits like the McDonald’s McRib or Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Tacos.
The sandwich will likely be a marquee menu component synonymous with the Popeyes brand for the long term. Fans old and new will continue showing their love.
Innovation Must Follow
To fully leverage their chicken sandwich success into the future, Popeyes will need to continue providing innovative new flavors and variations to generate ongoing interest.
Limited test launches of spicy and bacon-topped versions in late 2022 signify promising early moves to expand the sandwich brand. Menu diversity and special edition options could be key to an enduring franchise.
The Bottom Line
The Popeyes chicken sandwich overcame low expectations to become a fast food phenomenon of historic proportions shortly after its debut in August 2019. Its rapid rise and highly publicized shortage left a permanent mark on the quick service landscape.
While the initial mania has normalized, the sandwich still ranks among Popeyes’ signature menu items, driving customer traffic and fulfillment. It motivated the brand’s competitors to heavily invest in their own chicken sandwich offerings to compete.
Thanks to its early viral status and sustained popularity, the Popeyes chicken sandwich has achieved iconic fast food menu item status. Its launch will be remembered as one of the most impactful and unforgettable fast food moments of the last decade.
Key Facts
- Popeyes chicken sandwich launched nationwide on August 12, 2019
- It sold out systemwide by August 27, 2019, just 15 days after release
- The sandwich returned on November 3, 2019 on a gradual rollout timeline
- Competitors like Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s accelerated chicken sandwich efforts in response
- It remains one of Popeyes’ top selling menu items as of 2022