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Popeyes is Bringing Its Chicken Sandwich to Canada in 2020

Popeyes is Bringing Its Chicken Sandwich to Canada in 2020

By Simon Hung

June 17 update: the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich has officially launched in Canada -- the sandwich is currently only available in Edmonton, with a national rollout planned for September.1

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It’s coming.

The famous Popeyes Chicken Sandwich -- the same sandwich that sparked a firestorm of media attention in the United States -- will finally be available in Canada later this year.

Originally introduced in the United States on August 12, the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich has never been available on the Canadian Popeyes menu -- the sandwich is made with a buttermilk-breaded chicken breast fillet, pickles and mild or spicy mayonnaise, all served on a toasted brioche bun. It was an instant hit, becoming so wildly popular that Popeyes completely sold out in under two weeks and it wasn’t available again in most areas until early November.

In fact, its popularity created a ripple effect in the US chicken sandwich industry, as Chick-fil-A quickly took to Twitter to try and re-assert their dominance, while rivals including KFC and McDonald’s soon launched their own chicken sandwiches, igniting the Great Chicken Sandwich War of 2019.

Popeyes has received a significant amount of praise for their remarkable sandwich, with TIME saying that "it lives up to the hype," while The New Yorker called it "the sandwich to save America." Shortly after its launch, Popeyes’ President Felipe Athayde proudly labelled it "the iPhone or Air Jordan of chicken sandwiches."

The sentiment was echoed by customers, as Popeyes reported a Q4 2019 sales growth of over 42% compared to Q4 2018, which parent company RBI primarily attributed to the success of the Chicken Sandwich.

Canadians will get to experience the hype in 2020, as a Popeyes spokesperson has confirmed to multiple news outlets that they plan to bring the hit sandwich to Canada later this year, but a specific date has yet to be determined.

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Source: CTV News

39 Comments

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  • Mr_Fanta
    • Can't wait to try out this infamous chicken sandwich.
    • Report Post
  • oicthat2013
  • goodking
    • "I’ll once again say Chick-fil-A and KFC should be concerned. Even if you’ve never been a fan of Popeyes chicken, I think these sandwiches could easily change that." - GrubGrade
    • Report Post
  • EastGTARedFlagger
  • kindred_99
    • Has anyone here had one yet? What is so special about it?
    • Report Post
  • LNahid2000
    • Meh...had it in the US recently and didn't think it was anything special. I prefer CFA.
    • Report Post
  • xpressmerchant
    • look so damn greasy.
    • Report Post
  • HP_John
    • If this is equal to the Chick Fil A, then I'd say its not really a big deal. Chick Fil A makes a very good chicken sandwich considering its from a large chain, & at a relatively affordable price. But it's not worth lining up 30 mins or 1 hr for or people arguing, fighting, etc over. I think this Popeyes sandwich is probably roughly as good as the Chick Fil A if I had to guess (based on some of the reviews I've read) in which case I will let the hype die down before I bother going to get it.
    • Report Post
  • badOne
    • how much does it cost in the states?
    • Report Post
  • HghSsociety
    • it's a chicken sandwich from a fast food chain. How revolutionary can it really be?
    • Report Post
  • lensbuyer
    • Personally, I can't wait to try it. I also love the fact that Popeyes is widespread available. It is nice to have another option available for when I am in the mood for a sandwich.
    • Report Post
  • akswun
    • From what I gather, these 'new' chicken sandwiches have added relish/pickle slices under the chicken. The chicken is whatever that chain has to offer. I haven't had CFA yet, nor the Popeyes one. Will probably try the popeyes one since there's a 24hr location across the street from my work.

      What people haven't talked about is the A&W version, which IMO is great. But not sure if it compares to the others.
    • Report Post
  • sheyenne
    • From what I was told. Popeyes Canada isn't the same as in the USA. The Canadian version is inferior. The A&W Chicken burger I find is delicious and I'm not fond of chicken burgers.
    • Report Post
  • hi-tech
    • From what I was told. Popeyes Canada isn't the same as in the USA. The Canadian version is inferior. The A&W Chicken burger I find is delicious and I'm not fond of chicken burgers.
      Popeyes in America is literally inedible. When I lived in the States, I was ecstatic when I moved in down the block from a Popeyes only to discover that: 1) They did not have a sandwich at the time and that 2) The chicken tastes awful and is incredibly rubbery in comparison to the Canadian version.

      I've tried Popeyes in Florida, Texas and Nevada and they have all been terrible compared to your local GTA Popeyes.
    • Report Post
  • death_hawk
    • I would disagree, given my experience at the Popeye's in Niagara Falls, NY:
      I actually blame RFD for hyping the chain so much.
      I finally tried them a while back and it was thoroughly meh at best.
    • Report Post
  • gr8dlr
    • I've said it before...you can make it right now. Just use their chicken tenders, add lettuce, tomato, ranch sauce. I posted my Popeye's sandwich in the Leaf thread.
      IMG_20200220_130640.jpg
      IMG_20200220_130504.jpg
      IMG_20200220_130433.jpg
    • Report Post
  • TAZ99
    • Are those cherry tomatoes ?
      They fall out too easily!
      You should also consider a better bun... lol

      I've said it before...you can make it right now. Just use their chicken tenders, add lettuce, tomato, ranch sauce. I posted my Popeye's sandwich in the Leaf thread.
    • Report Post
  • gr8dlr
    • Are those cherry tomatoes ?
      They fall out too easily!
      You should also consider a better bun... lol
      Yes...it was a last minute morning decision and that's what I had on hand.
    • Report Post
  • DougO
    • Thunder Bay isn't going to get a Popeye's. Or a Costco. Or a....
    • Report Post
  • hockeyfan1990
    • Had the chicken sandwich in Florida. Doesn’t live up to the hype. Chick Fil A is better IMO
    • Report Post
  • unshavenyak
    • Had the chicken sandwich in Florida. Doesn’t live up to the hype. Chick Fil A is better IMO
      Both franchises are overhyped. What's worse is because everyone is jumping on this chicken sandwich bandwagon, the chicken supply chain needs to re-breed the birds. Until now, chickens were crossbred for massive breast meat as that's what people wanted. Those breasts are too large for the sandwiches and now the US big chicken industry is dumping too large breasts and dark meat in other markets as the demand isn't there for the existing chickens. The net result is the price of chicken is going up across the board.

      I was not happy to see the price of backs and necks has nearly doubled since this sandwich craze when I went to make ramen the other day.
    • Report Post
  • kchaan
    • LOL no cap. way better than chick-fil-a
    • Report Post
  • oroku1983
    • Popeyes in America is literally inedible. When I lived in the States, I was ecstatic when I moved in down the block from a Popeyes only to discover that: 1) They did not have a sandwich at the time and that 2) The chicken tastes awful and is incredibly rubbery in comparison to the Canadian version.

      I've tried Popeyes in Florida, Texas and Nevada and they have all been terrible compared to your local GTA Popeyes.
      Lol this is not true at all they're both the same except in the U.S the chicken pieces are much larger so if anything they're better. You get larger portioned sides as well, there's really nothing popeyes canada has on the u.s version.
    • Report Post
  • oroku1983
    • Also popeyes Canada stopped carrying cajun rice.
    • Report Post
  • hi-tech
    • Lol this is not true at all they're both the same except in the U.S the chicken pieces are much larger so if anything they're better. You get larger portioned sides as well, there's really nothing popeyes canada has on the u.s version.
      All this tells me if that you have not had the American popeyes that frequently. Popeyes Canada has a less burnt/overused oily taste to it and the quality of the chicken is considerably better. The bones of the chicken at the American version literally fall apart then second you touch. Yeah the American portions are bigger because they use mutant growth hormone chicken.
    • Report Post
  • oroku1983
    • Nope i've had it multiple times in multiple places and not that long ago in NYC where I ate there multiple times over the course of a month and a half. I've had bad experiences at U.S Popeyes but it's always at Popeyes in airports. It really comes down to the locations I just had Popeyes here In Calgary and the coleslaw tasted like soil it was so gross.
    • Report Post
  • HP_John
    • According to Popeyes own website, Cdn & US pcs are same size except our breast is a tiny bit bigger than the US (Cdn 440 cal spicy, Cdn 420 cal mild vs US 380 cal). As for sides, typical sides info below:

      US fries 268 cal
      Cdn fries 260 cal

      US rice 247 cal
      Cdn rice 230 cal

      Almost identical really
    • Report Post
  • oroku1983
    • Yeah somethings not right there as I saw with my own eyes that the portions are visibly larger there's no debate.
    • Report Post
  • HP_John
    • Yeah somethings not right there as I saw with my own eyes that the portions are visibly larger there's no debate.
      I remember there were people on RFD who claimed certain products at McDonalds were definitely bigger in US than Canada, but when I tried McDonalds in the US, I didn't find that to be the case at all (& based on the info from McDonalds USA & McDonalds Canada, it also backs my assertion). This was maybe 7-8 yrs ago though, when I had McDonalds in the US. I mean no offense when I say this, but I'd rather go off actual nutrition info direct from Popeyes, rather than an anonymous person on RFD whom I've never met in real life. Maybe if it was 1 of my friends telling me, I'd reconsider but that's just me.
    • Report Post
  • EastGTARedFlagger
  • oroku1983
    • I remember there were people on RFD who claimed certain products at McDonalds were definitely bigger in US than Canada, but when I tried McDonalds in the US, I didn't find that to be the case at all (& based on the info from McDonalds USA & McDonalds Canada, it also backs my assertion). This was maybe 7-8 yrs ago though, when I had McDonalds in the US. I mean no offense when I say this, but I'd rather go off actual nutrition info direct from Popeyes, rather than an anonymous person on RFD whom I've never met in real life. Maybe if it was 1 of my friends telling me, I'd reconsider but that's just me.
      You are absolutely right about Mcdonalds there is no difference in the size of their prodcuts at least anything noticeable to my eyes. This is not the case for Popeyes sides it's visibly larger- clear as day. I question when your last visit was because you are way off. The pieces of chicken are also clearly larger easily explained by their usage of hormones in their poultry.
    • Report Post
  • HP_John
    • You are absolutely right about Mcdonalds there is no difference in the size of their prodcuts at least anything noticeable to my eyes. This is not the case for Popeyes sides it's visibly larger- clear as day. I question when your last visit was because you are way off. The pieces of chicken are also clearly larger easily explained by their usage of hormones in their poultry.
      I only mentioned trying McDonald's in the US 7-8 yrs ago, I don't remember trying Popeyes in the US. I only said its easier for me to believe info from Popeyes directly rather than an anonymous person on the internet whom I've never met, & I mean absolutely no offense to you, I"m sure you're a great person & all probably. If the chicken is a lot larger due to usage of hormones, I'm not sure if that's necessarily what I would want, to each their own
    • Report Post
  • Casual
    • Where is our Popeyes in Montreal?
      :(
    • Report Post
  • oroku1983
    • I only mentioned trying McDonald's in the US 7-8 yrs ago, I don't remember trying Popeyes in the US. I only said its easier for me to believe info from Popeyes directly rather than an anonymous person on the internet whom I've never met, & I mean absolutely no offense to you, I"m sure you're a great person & all probably. If the chicken is a lot larger due to usage of hormones, I'm not sure if that's necessarily what I would want, to each their own
      there's google images find some pictures of people eating in an american popeyes.
    • Report Post
  • HP_John
    • there's google images find some pictures of people eating in an american popeyes.
      I really can't tell how much bigger the chicken pcs in the US are at Popeyes, based off Google Images. At least I can't. I haven't been to the US in a while, maybe next time I'm there I will consider trying Popeyes. For me if I were to go to the US again, I wanna try US chains that I don't get to try in Canada, rather than Popeyes since we already have it here.
    • Report Post
  • tinlun
    • I've had Popeye's in Hong Kong before and I don't find any difference at all. (There was only one location at the airport when I was there over 12 years ago)
    • Report Post
  • Soichiro
    • September roll-out

      Restaurant Brands International says the sandwich will first be tested in two Canadian cities in June, one in Ontario and one in Alberta, before the September roll-out.

      Duncan Fulton, Chief Corporate Officer at Restaurant Brands International, said, “It’s going to be exciting. We’re just going to need to maintain out social distancing when we line up to get it.”
    • Report Post
  • riseagainstthemachine
    • I tried Popeyes chicken once and it's nothing special. I don't see what the hype over them is. So their chicken sandwich is probably nothing special either.
      was it in canada or the states? I dont like popeyes canada either but i went a few months back in the states and the chicken was amazing and also about 3 times the size of the chicken here per piece. also had their famous chicken sandwich and it was really really good for $4. you cant compare canadian popeyes/kfc ect to the american, its a different ballgame down there.
    • Report Post
  • Supercooled
    • I want to try those southern chicken where it’s caked in paprika and served with a slice of pickle. It’s like a southern staple recipe for fried chicken.
    • Report Post