Is Popeyes getting ready to release a new chicken sandwich?

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has quietly begun testing a new version of their popular chicken sandwich in Denver, Colorado.

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Wolterk | Bigstock.com
Wolterk | Bigstock.com

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has quietly begun testing a new version of their popular chicken sandwich in Denver, Colorado.

The BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken Sandwich features two strips of bacon bacon, melty cheddar cheese and a firey, yet sweet barbeque sauce alongside pickles, a hand-breaded white meat chicken fillet and buttered brioche bun. It retails for $5.49 or $7.49 as part of a combo deal.

Representatives for Popeyes have so far declined to comment on the sandwich’s test run and whether a successful trial might mean a wider release for the BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken Sandwich.

Crazy for chicken sandwiches

The original Popeyes chicken sandwich launched in August 2019, but sales didn’t start surging until the brand got into a viral feud with Chick-fil-A. Customers and fans responded by ardently advocating for their favorite chicken sandwich on social media with the hashtag #ChickenSandwichWars. The Popeyes’ sandwich sold out at all locations in just two weeks.

The return of the Popeyes chicken sandwich in November 2019 generated a 300% increase in restaurant visits compared to the baseline, exceeding the 255% increase seen with the original launch.

As a result, Popeyes sales have skyrocketed in the last 12 months. During the first quarter of 2020, system-wide sales grew by 26% despite concerns about the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Everyone wants a piece of the pie

Chicken sandwiches continue to be popular with consumers in 2020 after a banner year in 2019. The launch of the popular Popeyes chicken sandwich – and the resulting chicken sandwich wars – increased sales for everyone in chicken foodservice.

Popeyes isn’t the only quick service chain working on a new chicken sandwich. In May, KFC tested a ‘20% larger’ premium chicken sandwich in Florida, while Golden Chick added the Big & Golden Chicken Sandwich to its menu in June. In addition, Big Boy temporarily – and controversially – replaced its iconic mascot to promote the new Dolly Chicken Sandwich in July.

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