So I’ve been working here for about a year now and it has never been this busy here since this location that I work at’s grand opening. This whole chicken sandwich fiasco is nuts!
Proof: https://imgur.com/a/9ZvOcFQ
iANDR0ID
Tell me what I did to win the Popeyes fucking lottery. This literally happened about 4 hours ago. I went to Popeye's drive thru and ordered a #5 (spicy) with fries and coke. That's a 3 tender meal with one side. I received one box of fries that would have been enough for the whole family as well as about 15 tenders and a side of mashed potatoes. Such a good deal for only $7. Is Popeye's always like that? I don't eat there often.
BaxterFax
They were probably scrambling from making so many sandwiches that they switched your order with someone elses
the-tyrannosaur
How come Popeye's always seem to run out of chicken? Like, not just the sandwich, and not just now while it's a meme, but ALWAYS.
I don't go to Popeye's often, but about half the the time I do, the second I get to the counter they just tell me flatly they are out of chicken.
No other fast food chain seems to struggle with this issue?
BaxterFax
We have to make it fresh and it takes a while, if it gets really busy and there’s not enough prepped chicken or workers I wouldn’t be surprised. Our store doesn’t really have this problem tho.
hanton44
Opinions on Bojangles?
And what has been your craziest customer experience in regards to the chicken sandwich?
Finally, what do you get paid? Exploring fast food jobs and wondering which pays best.
BaxterFax
Haven’t had Bojangles, I live in Missouri.
Today there was a fight in our drive thru because we ran out of regular chicken and this lady was holding up the line because she was yelling at our workers. Some dude in line gets out of his car and starts screaming at her and they go into an arguing match. We threatened to call the police and it chilled out pretty quick.
Can’t say my pay but it’s better than a lot of other fast food places.
inuvash255
Does Popeye's fry the chicken with the fish? I'm allergic to fish, and have been meaning to call the one near me to ask.
Disclaimer: I realize the location near me isn't yours, I just wanna know what to expect.
BaxterFax
Our location doesn’t have fish, but the friers have a button for it, it’s a totally different frier than the chicken one. I would still call to make sure tho.
notonmyswatch
How’s your managment team handling all of this? Are they freaking out or taking it in stride?
BaxterFax
Very stressful because people started going crazy for sandwiches out of nowhere so they’ve had to find the best methods of getting people in and out. I would say our managers are doing a very decent job right now tho.
squid50s
Can you explain what the whole Popeyes chicken sandwich thing that’s happening right now is? I heard something is going on, but I don’t really know what it is.
BaxterFax
There was an online poll for who had the best chicken sandwich and it went viral. There’s lots of memes and posts about Popeyes which drove our business through the goddamn wall.
holydragonnall
How come some locations will give me 4-5 tenders when I order a 3 tender meal, but other locations give me three tiny little dingus strips that look like they might have fallen off the actual tenders into the basket?
jpaxonreyes
Do you get sick of fried chicken? I personally think fried chicken is the best food in the world, but I'd be scared to run a fried chicken shop for fear of getting sick of it (or start hating the smell).
WheresTheWasabi
Are there any interesting things you create that isn't on the menu?
When I worked at Popeyes a long time ago, I would always eat a Po-boy but replaced the lettuce with cole slaw and blackened tenders instead of regular tenders.
TheINTL
When will Popeyes go to war with Chickfila?
Last I heard they were going to mount a surprise attack. Think it was operation running chicken.
BaxterFax
There’s already a war, wish it was over, our lines are backed up from open to close. And if there’s a suprise attack I haven’t been told yet, hopefully we don’t have a trick up our sleeve.
maintenance_tales
What's your favorite chicken sandwitch?
Also, the red beans and rice are pretty decent for fast food right? I always have to add them to my meal
BaxterFax
My favorite has to be a mcchicken, can’t beat the situations where your almost broke but the dollar menu saves your ass.
And I’m not a fan of the red beans personally but I know a lot of people who really like them.
BaxterFax
Scratch his head then handle cooked chicken that just came up with his bare hands, he wasn’t at Popeyes very long.
KhaosElement
Why do they say "spicy" tenders? Genuinely can't tell the difference between them and the normal ones. Any like, code word I can use to get them to dump that spice on like I'll die without it?
BaxterFax
Sorry there is not because the spicy seasoning is used on the chicken before it’s cooked. I like our spicy tenders but I would agree with you, they could be spicier.
triceracrops
I just grub hubed a chicken sandwich, and I got a call back that they are out till next month. This is not a joke. What gives? And yes this is my actual question.
TheMaskedHamster
So, Popeye's is my favorite restaurant. Hands-down. But everywhere I've been, it's super-inconsistent. Sometimes that chicken's delicious, sometimes it's... less so.
I can't seem to pinpoint why. Is there a certain time of day I need to buy chicken to make sure it's crispy and golden brown, and not hard and leather brown? I'm always going to enjoy it, but I'd like to bring some foreign friends to experience Popeye's and I'm afraid of them getting a sub-par experience.
BaxterFax
Come when it opens or around 2pm or 5pm I would say. When it opens because we start cooking fresh chicken for the beginning of the day and the other times are usually busy so we keep dropping fresh fresh chicken
BaxterFax
Well I just worked 6 days in a row with some pretty long shifts. But I’m off the next 2 days. I’m just happy I can rest and chill now for a sec.
Greel89
This is crazy. I didn't really know this was going on until I went to Popeyes over the weekend for some chicken strips. When I got there the building was practically wallpapered with flyers saying the chicken sandwich was sold out. That was when I learned I was apparently missing out. So my question is, is the sandwich worth the hype?
grumpyolddude
Why do I get questioned when I order two spicy chicken breasts with no sides at the drive thru? I always get something like "Baby - Thats gonna be high" (expensive) and it comes out to like $4 and some change. It's happened to me at multiple stores. Do other people complain or something?
BaxterFax
Not worth waiting in line for, go back and get it when the hype goes down unless you really want to try it.
zseitz
Is it just my location or have all of them gotten rid of the po boy? This is vital information.
BaxterFax
Spicy tenders, but I like the popcorn shrimp more
Side dish would be Cajun fries
And dessert would be fried Oreos or the strawberry cream pie when they were available
scuba_tron
I just moved to Kentucky and the main chicken place here is Raising Cane’s, have you ever had that?
BaxterFax
Raising canes is amazing! I’ll still eat there, double Texas toast no coleslaw extra Cain’s sauce
bimboSwaggins805
The Popeyes down the street from me always seemed slow. I often wondered why it was even still open. I think it’s the only Popeyes in my county. Ever since this chicken sandwich deal, oooohhh boy. That drive through line looks like a In & Out line. Has Popeyes always served that chicken sandwich?
BaxterFax
We introduced it a couple months ago but this online thing really took it to the next level at our stores, hope the hype dies down quick, tired of all these people tbh
JonNYBlazinAzN
Did Popeye's offer a chicken sandwich before the current one that everyone's going nuts for? I haven't been to Popeye's in a while, but I remember that they always had a fried chicken sandwich, as well as some other sandwiches (e.g. the shrimp po'boy).
BaxterFax
Order stuff a special way and it will probably be made fresh. Not much to mess with on our menu. You can kinda customize how you want stuff such as gravy on Cajun rice, or something like that.
I_AM_PLUNGER
My wife waited almost 40 minutes for the sandwich today, and honestly it was ok. Definitely not worth the hype, but had there been no hype, it’s a great sandwich. There was only two people working the shop she went to.
Has anyone quit because of the new stress and business?
BaxterFax
I’m not aware of a boss sauce but that sounds pretty fire, my fav sauce is the sweet heat.
knotquiteawake
Because of this post I now want to try a Popeyes Chicken Sandwich. How does it feel to be a corporate shill?
BaxterFax
Pretty good, be ready to wait in line tho, people ain’t playin around with these sandwiches
CXK
What do you guys do when someone asks to wait for fresh chicken? My wife hates the stuff that’s been sitting around. I always worry...
DrHivesPHD
Have you guys ever considered a spinach side dish?
Edit: oh hey thanks for the silver random person!
My first one!
BaxterFax
Unfortunately don’t have the inside info on new food that comes out, I’m not sure but that sounds like it could be good.
BaxterFax
No, but they usually have extra people working here to make it easier. I guess they are paying extra as in giving extra hours to us since we need more people right now.
holydragonnall
What’s the least favorite dipping sauce in your experience? I always get buffalo and sometimes they get a look on their face like no one has ever asked for it before.
BaxterFax
To be real I like all our sauces, I’d say my least favorite is our buttermilk ranch. Our blackened ranch and Cajun ranch are pretty good tho
Yours_and_mind_balls
Those little chicken, bean and rice tacos are da bombo. Do you like them too???
faceymcdumbface
you ever try dipping the French fries in the mashed potatoes? sounds weird, but it's the main reason I ever visit Popeyes.
ButterNuggets
I ordered Popeyes today around 8pm and the restaurant called me to let me know that they had run out of fries. My questions are (1) Why would Popeyes betray me like this, and (2) Does this happen often?
lvvk
With all this Chicken Sandwich craze, are you guys still offering Popeyes Tuesday? I used to eat that religiously every Tuesday, can't beat $2 for 2 pieces of Chicken!
Chowdahead
What takes so long for the Blackened Tenders to cook? Are they the same ones made by Tyson?
BaxterFax
it’s just usually a pain in the ass to cook them because not as many people order them so it’s like out of the way.
BaxterFax
I signed up for an electrician apprenticeship, hopefully get a call back, if not then community college
Not_Sure11
When the hell are yall going to stock up on chicken sandwiches?? Me and my gf probably checked out at least 6-7 locations and all of them are sold out!
Zithero
I just swung over to a place and folks were going crazy for the Sandwich, which they were out of, and walking out like y'all ain't got no other food there!
Does that agitate you? (I too was there for the sandwich but got a Surf n' Turf Combo instead because your food is the literal bomb)
peter2xpeter
Have u worked at a resturant before this? If so how does it compare to regular reaturant work?
BaxterFax
I haven’t, but Popeyes is very fast paced, if you don’t do your job you’re gonna fuck everyone else up.
pandaplusbunny
The Popeyes website has no contact information and nobody responds to me on Twitter.
What part of the chicken po boy sandwich has tree nuts in it?
AdlPadl970
Of course everybody knows that eating spinach will make you strong, but do your muscles puff out like the original Popeye when you eat the spinach? Do you have access to any special spinaches?
Waeltmeister
When will Popeyes come to Germany ?
We have them here already but only in military Bases, which I cant enter. I had the chance to try it once and ever since I am craving it. It’s been 3 years.
BaxterFax
I went to germany a couple weeks ago actually, it would be nice for popeyes to be there but when are y’all gonna bring some Doner to the states!
Shits_Kittens
This is the best AMA! So what specifically do you think makes the Popeyes sandwich better than Chick-Fil-A? The way it’s cooked, the crispness, the spice blend, the bread? I’m a Northerner peer pressured into CFL by my Southern peers, and I’ve come to love it. What kind of taste difference should I expect?
BaxterFax
We definitely have a more crispy and bigger sandwich, tons of flavor and really juicy. CFL is really good to me too but I just feel like the popeyes one is better
BaxterFax
Very good, there’s a prep side and a cook side, seafood is made on the prep side and chicken is made on the cook side. Seafood and chicken don’t see each other.
Coast_watcher
Why is there always a friggin long line at the counter lately ? Even an hour past the lunch or dinner rush, there's still a bunch of people. it's turned me away to go somewhere else sometimes.
Renfah87
I went to a Popeye's here for the chicken sandy and not only were they out, but they were out of everything. Has this happened to your store?
BaxterFax
Almost today, we have been so slammed the past week that the trucks can’t keep up with how much supply we need.
TehLittleOne
How come every time I go the worker tells me "sir it will be 15 minutes for your chicken"? It's fast food and you only sell chicken, can't you just make some extra chicken expecting some customers?
YellowFat
I really love the fried chicken but once in a while the pieces are seriously tiny. Like the leg was the size of a clementine orange. If I took this home and ate it because I live several miles from the store and came back and complained a few days later,what would you do?
seniairam
ugh! I really dont want to go to popeye since the last time I messed me up but this whole better chicken sandwich thing is getting to me.. help! do you think it will slow down by next week?
Spankle619
Why is the wait so long for the sandwiches? Cant you have 20 or so ready at a time during peak hours or do you have to make them to order?
BaxterFax
You’re exactly right, only 20 patties can be thrown down at a time and it takes 5 minutes to cook.
BaxterFax
We just usually keep making continuous chicken, we’ll usually throw it out after like 30 minutes though.
hystericallymad
Is it a regional (franchise) or corporate requirement to force the drive thru window employees to say, "Have a blessed day"?
For some reason this bothers me more than it should. I think it's because it's obviously forced...
mr_johnsie
How do you feel about working for a company that has millions of animals kept in poor conditions and then killed?
LemieuxTurtled
I came up to y’all Popeye last Tuesday for the 6 piece chicky. You know the one that’s 4.99? Well I get there and it’s No.99. Y’all ain’t got no chiggum. So my question is if I come up there can y’all hook me up with a free bucket?
TrueGrey
Do you have any idea why management at most urban locations schedule fewer staff during their ACTUAL peak hours (late night, especially weekends)?
I know they WANT to be popular during daytime, but they can't control demand, and every single weekend night there's long slow lines around the building. Cars inevitably pull away, look at it and nope out, or just know better than to even try.
They're burning money, and it's every Popeye's, Taco Bell, Wendy's, zaxbys, etc in the city.
IVlorphine
I got really serious food poisoning from the fried shrimp at popeyes once, being that it dosent seem like a food item that would get handled with hands why do you think i got sick? Wasnt cooked long enough?
Mr-Macphisto
I like Popeyes. That being said, what is with the chornic slowness and poor customer service that is rampant across many locations? It's been well documented online, and I once again experienced both this past weekend.
BaxterFax
You either get quality and long wait times or you’ll get fast times and not as good food, pick one
br0wnb0y
I used to work at a place that sold roast chicken and I am sure you can understand, how when you shower after work, there is a time where the water simply enhances the smell of the cooked chicken.
How long does it take for the chicken smell to get out in the after work shower?
BaxterFax
I usually take like a 20 minute shower after work, I feel most of it in my hair and I can’t stand to feel dirty or greasy at all.
