Popeye Competitors (Top 11 Competitors)
With the U.S. market for takeout fried chicken reaching nearly $10 billion by 2030, the frantic race for that pie has begun.
Currently, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. has the third-largest market share, thanks in part to the launch of its fried chicken sandwich. Read on to discover Popeyes’ top competitors!
Who is Popeye’s biggest competitor in 2022?
Popeyes’ market share in the fried chicken segment has been steadily increasing. Still, it faces stiff competition from Chick-Fil-A, KFC, Zaxby’s, Wingstop, Bojangles, El Pollo Loco, Church’s Kitchen, Raising Canes, Burger King, Long John Silver and McDonald’s. While there are limited changes in this segment in 2022, all of them execute various competitive strategies.
Read on to find out who Popeyes’ biggest competitors are in the fried chicken fast food space and what strategies are used to increase market share!
1. Chick-Fil-A
Chick-Fil-A is by far the giant in the fried chicken space.
Founded by Truett Cathy in the 1960s, this fast food restaurant has since become the home of delicious chicken in the country.
Chick-Fil-A sells $11 billion worth of chicken annually, twice as much as the second-placed chicken.
Each of its locations generates more than $4 million in annual sales, as much as the next three largest restaurants.
This success has been built on multiple strategies that have given restaurants a competitive advantage that is difficult to overcome.
Chick-Fil-A is very focused on producing delicious chicken that customers are willing to wait in line.
Combined with the company’s unparalleled customer service, it’s a boon in an age where customers can’t tolerate late service.
2. KFC Fried Chicken
In terms of numbers, KFC is the largest fried chicken restaurant in the world and in the United States. Its more than 4,000 restaurants are spread across the country.
Colonel Harland Sanders founded the restaurant in the 1950s based on a secret fried chicken recipe that the company still loves to hype.
This recipe, combined with innovative large-scale fried chicken production methods, has helped reduce the cost of producing the food, thereby increasing sales.
The significant location footprint also helps it compete effectively with Popeye.
3. Zaxby
Zaxby’s is a fast casual restaurant with deep roots and presence in the American South. It specializes in chicken nuggets, fingers and wings and has grown to 900 locations.
The restaurant’s market share exceeds $1.8 billion a year, or about $2 million per location.
Zaxby’s leverages its delicious Southern-style chicken and strong local-focused brand to help it stay ahead of the market share race.
But the problem is that its market share is low compared to Popeye, which undoubtedly affects its ability to retain or expand its share.
4. Wing block
Wingstop was established in 1994 and began offering franchises in 1997. So far, it has about 1,400 U.S. locations and generates about $1.4 billion in annual revenue.
The restaurant targets 11 different flavors of chicken wings, boneless wings, and chicken tenders.
Flavors are driven by proprietary sauces and seasonings, giving this player a competitive edge.
Millennials form a diverse and growing customer base that loves choice.
Wingstop’s 11 flavors, sauces and hand-cut fries helped it target that demographic ahead of rivals like Popeyes.
5. Raising sugarcane
Raising Cane’s market share is well behind Popeyes, but it’s growing because of its well-thought-out strategy.
The restaurant, which only opened in 1996, has nearly 500 locations and generates about $1.4 billion in annual revenue. This equates to nearly $3.6 million for one unit. This is second only to Chick-Fil-A.
Raising Cane’s has set its sights on the fastest-growing demographics, Gen Y and Gen Z, and has their pulse.
The restaurant takes special care to put only top-notch chicken fingers on the market. Plus, it focuses on building the kind of camaraderie that your target audience depends on.
Raising Cane’s is known for its aggressive community engagement and sleek team culture to target markets.
6. Bojangles
Founded in Charlotte in 1977, Bojangles has grown to more than 750 locations in the United States, mostly limited to the southern part of the country.
Its annual sales are about $1.3 billion, and one restaurant is about $1.3 million.
Bojangles’ decision to fight for a bigger share of the market by participating in the fried chicken sandwich battle may have been inspired by Popeyes’ opening success.
It’s an indistinguishable war whose tactics aren’t radically different, even better than those offered by Popeyes and Chick-Fil-A.
7. El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco has more than 480 locations in the United States, with an even greater presence in the California, Texas and Nevada regions.
It features a Mexican chicken entree, which is mostly citrus-flavored and fire-roasted.
It has a market share of over $900 million and annual revenue of $1.9 million per location.
El Pollo Loco serves all clients but chooses to monopolize the Hispanic market.
Its brand has grown to reflect the nostalgia of the family. About 50% of customers are Hispanic, and 30% of meals are sold to families.
This strategy undoubtedly cuts into Popeye’s diversified target market.
8. Church Chicken
Church’s Chicken has been in business for decades and now has more than 1,100 restaurants in the United States alone. It went through several stages and stayed the same.
This longevity represents stability, which is its competitive advantage.
Also, due to the length of time it has entered the industry, it has accumulated experience and expertise.
While this may not bring in a ton of new customers, it will help solidify its market share.
Currently, its annual revenue is about $700 million.
9. McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the world’s largest fast food chain with more than 30,000 stores worldwide. Of these, 13,000 are in the US alone.
These outlets brought in more than $8.7 billion in revenue in the United States. While it doesn’t bill itself as strictly a fried chicken restaurant, it has made significant strides in the space.
Its competitive advantage lies in its sheer size, brand strength and resources.
Even on a small scale, anything it does is enough to upset a dedicated fried chicken player like Popeye.
10. Burger King
Founded in 1954, Burger King is the world’s second-largest fast food restaurant by revenue.
In the U.S. alone, it has 7,300 locations and generates more than $10 billion in annual revenue.
While it’s known as the home of the Big Mac and makes more burgers than anywhere else, the restaurant’s wide range of fried chicken dishes has firmly established it as a competitor.
11. Long John Silver
Long John Silver is a pioneer in selling seafood in a fast-food format and is the largest seafood restaurant in the world.
With more than 700 locations in 38 U.S. states and Singapore and more than $20 million in annual revenue, the restaurant competes with Popeye’s seafood offerings.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on Popeyes HQ, Popeyes complaints and Chick-Fil-A vs Popeyes.
in conclusion
Popeyes faces stiff competition in all of its business areas, including more important and savvy restaurants. There is competition in its top products, fringe products such as seafood, and even segments of its target market.
