The Popeyes story began in New Orleans back in 1972, when Al Copeland opened a quick-service restaurant called "Chicken on the Run," selling traditional mild fried chicken to the downtown lunch crowd. But business was slow, and Copeland realized that he'd have to develop a spicier alternative to his standard chicken recipe if he wanted to impress flavor-seeking New Orleanians.
Experimenting with the flavorful Cajun recipes he'd been enjoying all his life, Copeland developed a new menu, reopened his restaurant - now called "Popeyes"- and soon had customers lining up around the block for his spicy New Orleans-style fried chicken.
In 1976, Popeyes established its first franchise location, and over the next decade added 500 more. Thanks to great recipes, a franchise support system that was among the best in the quick-service food industry, and the help of one of the most effective jingles ever created - "Love That Chicken From Popeyes" - Popeyes continued its stunning growth, opening 200 additional restaurants over the next two years.
