LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen recently ran a national ad campaign for "Popeyes Pay Day," featuring an 8-piece mixed Bonafide chicken for $4.99 at participating restaurants on April 22. The promotion apparently hit the mark with consumers, which overwhelmed at least some operators.
At a store at 1716 E 10th St. in Jeffersonville, Ind., the drive-thru line was around the store and onto the street from at least late afternoon until after 9:30 p.m. Customers also lined up outside the store to order at the counter. The store locked its doors around 9 p.m., but customers continued to wait at least a half-hour in the drive-thru.
A store at 3317 Bardstown Rd. in Louisville, Ky., also drew huge crowds, with cars lining up at least a block from the store, and the line to get inside was also out the door.
Television station 13 WHAM-TV reports that at least two Rochester, N.Y. area Popeyes locations ran out of chicken and were closed by dinnertime.
Alicia Thompson, spokeswoman for Popeyes, said that the company distributed a comprehensive preparation tip sheet to franchisees based on the company's Mardi Gras planning, and it was up to individual owners to use it. Franchisees had the option of whether or not to participate and could choose whether to set limits on the special offer.
Read also, Popeyes finds practice makes perfect.
