Popeyes begins tests of blackened chicken sandwich

Popeyes quietly debuted a Blackened Chicken Sandwich on online menus in select markets this week. The new sandwich comes two years after the launch of the brand’s popular chicken sandwich, which resulted in a battle of the quick service chicken sandwiches.

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(Courtesy Popeyes)
(Courtesy Popeyes)

Popeyes quietly debuted a Blackened Chicken Sandwich on online menus in select markets this week. The new sandwich comes two years after the launch of the brand’s popular chicken sandwich, which resulted in a battle of the quick service chicken sandwiches.

The Blackened Chicken Sandwich, available in both classic and spicy, is similar to the quick service chain’s Blackened Chicken Tenders. It features a non-breaded chicken breast slathered in seasoning and served with mayonnaise and pickles on a brioche bun.

The new offering is currently available only in select markets, including Texas, Pennsylvania and Louisiana, according to posts on social media. Popeyes has yet to comment on whether a national rollout of the Blackened Chicken Sandwich could follow the tests.

"We appreciate all the love we have seen from fans around this product offering," the company said in a statement to Thrillist. "Here at Popeyes, we are always looking to innovate with a wide range of seasonings and flavors. We have tested variations of our beloved chicken sandwich in markets around the world, but this is not a permanent menu item at this time."

The chicken sandwich wars rage on

Fried chicken sandwiches remain popular with consumers following the 2019 chicken sandwich wars. The Popeyes Chicken Sandwich made headlines after selling out less than two weeks after its U.S. launch in August 2019, resulting in a viral Twitter feud with rival chain Chick-fil-A.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Chick-fil-A remain the industry leaders, but at least six other major quick service restaurant chains have added a chicken sandwich to menus since the beginning of 2021.

New chicken sandwiches boosted first quarter earnings for both McDonald’s and KFC. Executives at Yum Brands, the parent company of KFC, said the new menu item is selling at twice the volume compared to previous versions. McDonald’s franchisees reported selling an average of 262 chicken sandwiches per day, according to Kalinski Equity Research’s quarterly survey of operators.

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