Popeyes Is Launching a New Version Of a Menu Item

(CTN News) – Who can forget the long lines and constant stream of photos on Instagram? The viral success of Popeyes, owned by Restaurant Brands International (QSR) – Get Free Report, caught even its creators by surprise and sparked a fast-food war.

McDonald’s (MCD) – Get Free Report, Wendy’s (WEN) – Get Free Report, Starbucks (SBUX) – Get Free Report, and Panera Bread (PNRA) have all introduced their own versions of the fried chicken sandwich over the last two years.

As well as expanding on its success, Popeyes has attempted to expand its product line. In May, the chain launched a Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich with buttermilk ranch and buffalo sauce.

The current version simply adds sauces to an existing sandwich, but Popeyes just announced its take on the dish: marinated chicken breast on a bun.

Obviously, the main difference is that there isn’t a coating.

Is There A New Popeyes Chicken Sandwich?

The Blackened Chicken Sandwich is now available at Popeyes restaurants across the country for $4.99. Additionally, it comes with two pickles and two mayo sauces.

The Popeyes Chicken Sandwich revolutionized the QSR industry back in 2019, and since then, we’ve continued to innovate to offer our guests more chicken sandwich options,” Sami Siddiqui, President of Popeyes, said. It may inspire a few copycat Blackened Chicken Sandwiches down the road, […] we’re excited for guests to try this delicious new offering.”

While the Blackened Chicken Sandwich is a limited-time offer, it will eventually disappear from the menu.

Those seeking a lighter approach to what is ultimately an indulgent dish may also opt for unbreaded chicken breast.

Do the Chicken Sandwich Wars still exist?

A pandemic and an election have made it seem like we’ve lived several lifetimes since 2019.

The novelty of the chicken sandwich wore off, and even the original became just one of many options available at Popeyes.

Despite what some will insist, there is only a certain number of chicken sandwiches one can eat after every chain under the sun launched its own version.

On a February analyst call, Restaurant Brands International CEO Jose Cil said that chicken sandwich volumes remain under pressure from competitors who started making their sandwiches in early 2021.

In addition to the chicken sandwich’s success, fast-food companies have also been trying to find the next thing to become “viral.” This can mean conducting experiments, or constant adaptations of old ideas.

As Siddiqui told The Street in an exclusive interview in May, it took multiple years for something like the chicken sandwich to get to our restaurants.

Once [our recipe developers] come up with things, they go through sensory testing and ultimately market testing and operational testing to determine how it will influence franchisees and profitability.”

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