1851

2019 was a year full of huge news in franchising, particularly in the QSR sector, but one story created more commotion and stood out clearly above all the rest: the infamous Popeyes fried chicken sandwich. It was dubbed by <a href="https://thetakeout.com/popeyes-chicken-sandwich-best-of-2019-top-news-stories-1840465249?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-fried-chicken-sandwich-became-the-news-event-of-the-year-2711939" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Takeout</a>, maybe somewhat hyperbolically, as “the biggest food news story of 2019 and maybe our lifetime,” but there’s no arguing that this story wasn’t huge.In a QSR space where Chick-fil-A cornered the market on a Southern-style fried chicken sandwich, Popeyes was truly the first successful challenger. It was so successful it <a href="https://1851franchise.com/it-was-fun-while-it-lasted-popeyes-has-officially-sold-out-of-its-new-chicken-sandwich-2710867">sold out</a>, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/this-is-not-a-drill-popeyes-is-restocking-its-famous-chicken-sandwiches-2711428">came back</a>, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/popeyes-chicken-sandwich-has-started-serious-twitter-beef--2710776">sparked twitter fights</a>, <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/national/article237221196.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-fried-chicken-sandwich-became-the-news-event-of-the-year-2711939" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">real fights</a> and more. Ultimately, one chicken sandwich potentially changed the fast food game forever, but why?<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelinemaynard/2019/12/22/how-popeyes-fried-chicken-sandwich-became-the-fast-food-phenomenon-of-2019/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-fried-chicken-sandwich-became-the-news-event-of-the-year-2711939#142514fe2c43" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">According to CNBC</a>, there are a few key reasons that put this crispy bird above the rest. For one, it was just downright good. Popeyes didn’t cut any corners on crafting this new menu item, and CNBC reported that the entire development process took two years. While some would argue that this sandwich was modeled after Chick-fil-A in style, the slow, careful rollout was also taking a page from Chick-fil-A’s book, a franchise that is notoriously discerning about everything from <a href="https://1851franchise.com/chick-fil-a-leads-in-customer-satisfaction-by-wide-margin-2710320">customer service</a>, to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2018/06/07/its-not-just-the-pruitts-its-really-hard-to-get-a-chick-fil-a-franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-fried-chicken-sandwich-became-the-news-event-of-the-year-2711939" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">new franchisees </a>and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/chick-fil-a-tests-mac-cheese-offering-at-select-locations-2708286">new menu items</a>.&nbsp;Another advantage Popeyes had was taking advantage of a slow time of year. The Popeyes sandwich was launched August 12, a time when other restaurants are typically winding down from summer business and gearing up for fall.&nbsp;While <a href="https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-isnt-chickening-out-from-the-chicken-sandwich-wars-2711760#most-recent">a few other QSRs</a> tried to throw their hat in the ring following the Popeyes frenzy, it was all just too little too late. In 2020, it’s likely that even more challengers will enter the fried chicken wars, but will likely see more leeway with the same level of careful consideration, recipe testing and development that Popeyes put forth into their chicken sandwich.&nbsp;Read the full CNBC story <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelinemaynard/2019/12/22/how-popeyes-fried-chicken-sandwich-became-the-fast-food-phenomenon-of-2019/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-fried-chicken-sandwich-became-the-news-event-of-the-year-2711939#142514fe2c43" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here.</a>

How a Fried Chicken Sandwich Became the News Event of the Year

1851 Franchise

The Popeyes Southern-style fried chicken sandwich was the fast food phenomenon that launched the #ChickenSandwichWars. 

how-a-fried-chicken-sandwich-became-the-news-event-of-the-year

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

How a Fried Chicken Sandwich Became the News Event of the Year

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS