From its humble beginnings as a small fried chicken joint in New Orleans in 1972 to now having over 3,800 restaurants worldwide, Popeyes has become a go-to for spicy fried chicken and biscuits thanks to its Louisiana-style cooking with Cajun and Creole flavors.
In 2024, Popeyes opened 126 new restaurants and increased system-wide sales by 4.2% compared to 2023, helping it maintain its title as one of North America’s fastest-growing drive-through chicken-based restaurant chains.
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As great as these numbers sound, Popeyes had weaker comparable sales for the last three quarters of 2024, with negative growth in the third quarter.
However, Popeyes refused to let this decline impede its once-unbreakable growth streak and devised two new business strategies to overcome this setback.
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During its latest earnings call, Popeye’s parent company, Restaurant Brands International (RBI), unveiled its “Easy to Run” and “Easy to Love” initiatives to help grow the brand and improve its performance nationwide.
Although most Popeyes restaurants are franchises, the company claims about 85% of them have already agreed to partake in this business revamp.
Fried chicken strips, fries, and a biscuit are some of the most popular menu items at Popeyes fast food restaurant. The company has pledged to increase efficiency.
Roberto Machado Noa/Getty Images
Popeyes updates its technology to improve efficiency and reduce wait times
During (QSR)  latest earnings call, the company announced that it will simplify operations by revamping all equipment and enhancing technology as part of its “Easy to Run” initiative.
“We’re advancing the Popeyes experience and simplifying operations with our ‘Easy to Run’ initiative, which standardizes processes, enhances technology, and introduces new kitchen equipment and a new production line,” said RBI CEO Josh Kobza.
These upgrades are meant to enhance the employees’ and customers’ experience by improving order accuracy, which would reduce wait times without sacrificing Popeyes’ roots or food quality.
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Over the last 18 months, Popeyes has been testing the new equipment in 200 locations, and the improvements have already shown notable performance growth.Â
By the end of 2026, Popeyes expects all locations across the U.S. to feature cloud-based point-of-sale systems, digital drop charts, sticky label printers, order-ready boards, kiosks, and upgraded back-of-house equipment, including auto batter makers and improved hot holding units.
Since most Popeyes restaurants are franchises, franchisees can choose to implement the new production line as they adopt the upgraded equipment or during the restaurant’s next remodel.
Popeyes bets it all on media to increase its sales
In addition to its technology improvement goals, Popeyes also introduced its “Easy to Love” plan. This initiative, which will be completed by 2030, aims to drive sales through increased media investment and a unified restaurant image.
In this amendment, the participating franchise restaurants must test higher national advertising rates over three years, beginning in April.
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To help this plan succeed, Popeyes will increase the initial national advertising rate from 4.5% to 5% this year and to 5.5% by the end of the year, subject to meeting certain profitability thresholds.
The participating franchises will receive a $4,000 royalty credit per restaurant to offset the increased advertising investment for the first year, totaling a $10.5 million investment from Popeyes.
“The amendment supports our commitment to delivering impactful brand messaging, achieving modern image, and providing greater flexibility and alignment for our franchisees,” said KobzaÂ
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