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

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Good Day Columbus: Home Insurance Expert Reveals Why Central Ohio Premiums Are Rising and How to Combat Costs

rising-home-insurance-costs-ohio

CapitalSpring

Primetime Fitness Expands Crunch Portfolio With CapitalSpring’s Backing

primetime-fitness-expands-crunch-portfolio-with-capitalsprings-backing

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees Scale to Multiple Locations

how-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees-scale-to-multiple-locations

Express Employment Professionals

Betting on Himself: How Chris Brown Built an Express Employment Professionals Franchise From the Ground Up

betting-on-himself-how-chris-brown-built-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-from-the-ground-up

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers® Named One of America’s Best Home-Care Providers

comfort-keepers-named-one-of-americas-best-home-care-providers

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

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

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

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

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

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS