Founding Location and Early History
Popeyes originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The chain was founded by Al Copeland and first opened in 1972 in the suburb of Arabi, near New Orleans.
Name and Concept
The restaurant was originally named "Chicken on the Run." Copeland later renamed it Popeyes, inspired by the fictional detective Popeye Doyle from the film "The French Connection." The concept focused on spicy fried chicken and Louisiana-style sides.
Growth and Ownership
Popeyes expanded rapidly across the United States and later internationally. In 1979, the chain went public, and over the decades it changed ownership multiple times. Today it operates globally as part of Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King and Tim Hortons.
For more details on the chain's history, see the Popeyes overview on Britannica.
