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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Popeyes
| logo = [[Image:Churchslogo.svg]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1952|04|17|df=y}}
| logo = PopeyesLouisianaKitchen.png
| caption = The 2008-present logo
| type = Private
| slogan = You Bring It Home
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| founder = [[George W. Church, Sr.]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1972|06|12}} (as Chicken on the Run)<br>[[Arabi, Louisiana|Arabi]], [[Louisiana]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| location = [[Dunwoody, Georgia|Dunwoody]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], U.S.
| location = [[Atlanta, Georgia]], [[United States]]
| locations = 2,600 (2016)
| locations = 1,700+
| key_people = [[Al Copeland]] [[Roosevelt Davis]]
| key_people = Jim Hyatt, CEO
| industry = Food
| revenue = {{increase}} [[US$]]206 million (2013)<ref name=10K>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1041379/000104137914000004/plki1229201310k.htm Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. Form 10-K], ''Securities and Exchange Commission'', February 26, 2014</ref>
| industry = [[Restaurants]]
| caption =
| genre = [[Fast food]]
| owner = [[Friedman Fleischer & Lowe]]
| products = [[Fast food]], including [[fried chicken]], [[french fries]], and [[biscuits]]
| parent = [[Restaurant Brands International]] (2017–present)
⚫
| homepage = [http://www.churchs.com churchs.com]
| num_employees = 2,130 <small>(Dec 2015)</small><ref name=10K/>
| products = [[Fried chicken]]<br>[[Cajun cuisine]]<br>[[Seafood]]<br>[[Vegetables]]<br>[[biscuit (bread)|Biscuits]]
⚫
| homepage = {{url|http://www.popeyes.com/|www.Popeyes.com}}
}}
}}
'''Popeyes''' is an American multinational chain of [[fried chicken]] [[fast food]] restaurants founded in 1972 in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]. Since 2008, its full brand name is '''Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://popeyes.com/our-story/ |title=Our Story |publisher=Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen|accessdate=September 22, 2017}}</ref> and it was formerly named '''Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits'''<ref name=AboutPopeyes>{{cite web|url=http://popeyes.com/company/about-popeyes.php|title=About Popeyes|publisher=Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen|accessdate=September 12, 2017}}</ref> and '''Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits'''.<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=[[New Orleans CityBusiness]]|title=Bob & Gee Tucker: Community Service Important for Married Consulting Team|volume=11|issue=6|page=23C|date=September 24, 1990|author=Engelberg, Adrian}}</ref> It is currently a subsidiary of [[Restaurant Brands International]].


'''Church's Chicken''' is an American chain of [[fast food]] restaurants specializing in [[fried chicken]], also trading outside North America and Asia as '''Texas Chicken'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prlog.org/10115853-texas-chicken-enters-india-with-its-first-outlet-in-hyderabad.html|title=Texas Chicken enters India with its first outlet in Hyderabad|work=prlog.org|accessdate=4 November 2015}}</ref> The chain was founded as '''Church's Fried Chicken To Go''' by [[George W. Church, Sr.]], on April 17, 1952, in [[San Antonio|San Antonio, Texas]], across the street from [[Alamo Mission in San Antonio|The Alamo]].
According to a company press release dated June 29, 2007, Popeyes is the second-largest "quick-service chicken restaurant group, measured by number of units", after [[KFC]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.popeyes.com/news/news.asp?n=83 |title=Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits Offers 'A Side of Hope,' to America's Hungry Families |publisher=Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen}}</ref> More than 2,600 Popeyes restaurants are in more than 40 states and the [[District of Columbia]], [[Puerto Rico]], and 30 countries worldwide.<ref>[http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/prnt_ed/popeyes-continues-steady-international-expansion-11813.html ]{{dead link|date=September 2017}}</ref> About thirty locations are company-owned, the rest [[franchising|franchised]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoovers.com/popeyes/--ID__105593--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml |title=Hoovers/Dun & Bradstreet: Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits |publisher=Hoovers}}{{dead link|date=September 2017}}</ref>

The company, with more than 1,700 locations in 25 countries, is the third-largest chicken restaurant chain behind [[KFC]] and [[Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen]].<ref name="Official history" />


==History==
==History==
{{expand section|More info before 1980s|date=January 2014}}
<div style="float:left">
[[Image:Church's Chicken restaurant Detroit Michigan.JPG|thumb|250px|left|A Church's Chicken in [[Detroit]].]]
{{stack
Initially, the restaurant only sold chicken, but added fries and jalapeños in 1955.<ref name="Official history" /> The company had four restaurants by the time of Church's death in 1956. In the 1980s, the chain briefly operated a hamburger franchise called G. W. Jrs in Texas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/church-s-chicken-history/ |title=Church's Chicken History |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website=fundinguniverse.com |publisher= |accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref>
|[[Image:Logo of Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits.png|left|thumb|Early logo prior to 2008]]
}}
</div>
[[Image:Popeyes.JPG|thumb|235px|Popeyes restaurant in [[Houston]], [[Texas]], United States]]


From 1979 through 1986, Church's Chicken sponsored the "Grand Prix" series of chess tournaments under the auspices of the [[United States Chess Federation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.uschess.org/news/press/uspr0514.php/ |title=US Chess Federation |accessdate=December 31, 2014}}</ref>
Popeyes Mighty Good Fried Chicken was founded in [[Arabi, Louisiana]], a suburb of [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]] in [[St. Bernard Parish]]. It first opened its doors on June 12, 1972, as "Chicken on the Run".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popeyes.com/our-story/ |title=Popeyes Story |publisher=Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen |accessdate=September 12, 2017}}</ref> Owner [[Al Copeland]] wanted to compete with [[KFC|Kentucky Fried Chicken]]. As the company's history states, it sold "traditional mild fried chicken [but] business was slow, and the chicken team realized they'd have to sell a spicier alternative to their standard chicken recipe if they wanted to impress flavor-seeking New Orleanians." Copeland started franchising his restaurant in 1976, beginning in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]]. Over the next ten years it added approximately 500 outlets. [[B.P. Newman]] of [[Laredo, Texas]], acquired several franchises in Texas and surrounding states. Two hundred additional locations were added during a period of slower expansion.


Rapid growth followed, and Church's became the second-largest chicken restaurant chain in 1989, when it merged with [[Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits]].<ref name="Official history">{{cite web|title=History of Church's Chicken |url=http://www.churchs.com/company-history.html |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026035012/http://www.churchs.com/company-history.html |archivedate=2008-10-26 |df= }} at official website</ref> The brands had their supply lines consolidated, but were still marketed as separate chains. [[Hala Moddelmog]] was appointed as [[president]] of Church's Chicken in 1996, making her the first female president of a fast-food restaurant chain.
By 1990, Copeland Enterprises was in default on $391 million in debts, and in April 1991, the company filed for [[bankruptcy]] protection. In October 1992, the court approved a plan by a group of Copeland's creditors that resulted in the creation of America's Favorite Chicken Company, Inc. (AFC) to serve as the new parent company for Popeyes and [[Church's Chicken|Church's]], another fast food chain specializing in chicken.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/church-s-chicken|title=Answers - The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions|publisher=|accessdate=February 22, 2017}}{{dead link|date=September 2017}}</ref> AFC went public in 2001 with initial public offering (IPO) of $142,818,479.<ref>[http://ipo.findthecompany.com/l/863/Afc-Enterprises AFC Enterprises Initial Public Offering]</ref> On December 29, 2004, AFC sold Church's to [[Arcapita]], formerly Crescent Capital Investments, retaining Popeyes.{{cn|date=June 2015}}


Church's was owned by [[AFC Enterprises]], along with Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and [[Cinnabon]], through the end of 2004, when it was sold to [[Arcapita]] (formerly Crescent Capital Investments). Because Arcapita is an [[Islam]]ic [[venture capital]] firm, [[pork]] products were removed from the menu after the sale (as pork is not [[halal]]) in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amonline.com/web/online/VendingMarketWatch-News/AFC-Enterprises-Inc--franchisor-of-Popeyes--Churchs-Chicken-and-Cinnabon--reports-improved-results-for-the-fourth-quarter/1$11735|title=AFC Enterprises Inc., franchisor of Popeyes, Church's Chicken, and Cinnabon, reports improved results for the fourth quarter |date=2003-12-16|publisher=amonline.com|accessdate=2009-02-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=B4D7EA5D-074C-4D34-AB04-71E9354504CB |title=Outlawing the Pig |last=Janet |first=Levy |date=2008-05-02 |publisher=frontpagemagazine.com |accessdate=2009-02-03 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206185448/http://frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=B4D7EA5D-074C-4D34-AB04-71E9354504CB |archivedate=2008-12-06 |df= }}</ref> Also, American Church's Chicken restaurants switched beverage products to [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]] (some locations serving Coke products and [[Dr Pepper]]), while still retaining the [[PepsiCo|Pepsi]] contract in [[Puerto Rico]] and [[Canada]].
On June 17, 2014, Popeyes announced it had re-acquired full control of its seasonings, recipes, and other proprietary food preparation techniques from Diversified Foods & Seasonings, which remained under the control of Al Copeland and his estate after the creditor sale of Popeyes to AFC. Popeyes had continued to license the seasonings, recipes, and techniques from DF&S for a yearly 'spice royalty', before buying them outright for $43 million. DFS remains the main supplier for Popeyes until at least 2029.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-17/popeyes-buys-its-recipes-for-43-million-dot-wait-popeyes-didnt-own-its-recipes|title=Popeyes Buys Its Recipes for $43 Million. Wait, Popeyes Didn't Own Its Recipes?|last=Wong|first=Vanessa|date=June 17, 2014|work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|accessdate=June 18, 2014}}</ref>
[[File:texastbilisi.jpg|thumb|200px|Texas Chicken In Tbilisi]]
On August 10, 2009, [[San Francisco]] [[private equity]] firm [[Friedman Fleischer & Lowe]] bought Church's Chicken from Arcapita.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/othercities/sanantonio/stories/2009/08/10/daily4.html |title=Church's Chicken sold to private equity firm |accessdate=9 September 2016 |date=10 August 2009 |publisher=American City Business Journals |newspaper=San Antonio Business Journal |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025230012/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2009/08/10/daily4.html |archivedate=25 October 2012 |deadurl=yes |df= }} </ref>


In some areas, Church's is co-franchised with the [[White Castle (restaurant)|White Castle]] [[hamburger]] chain.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5553/is_/ai_n22324638|title=White Castle, Church's Chicken to Share Restaurant Sites|last=Gramig|first=Mickey H.|date=November 2006|publisher=''Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News''|accessdate=2009-02-03}} </ref> In [[Canada]], Church's Chicken items were once available in [[Harvey's]] restaurants, but the co-venture was discontinued.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lorinc |first=John |date=1995 |title=Opportunity knocks: the truth about Canada's franchise industry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ycCGvqhBubkC&q=%22church%27s+chicken%22+%22harvey%27s%22&dq=%22church%27s+chicken%22+%22harvey%27s%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4NPpUrjuA-imyQHb14DoAg&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAQ |location= |publisher=Prentice Hall |page= |isbn=0-13-455693-3 |accessdate=July 17, 2014 }}</ref>
{{As of|2017}}, Popeyes has over 2,600 restaurants worldwide according to its website.<ref name=AboutPopeyes/>


To date, Church's Chicken has over 1,660 locations in 30 countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.linkedin.com/company/church's-chicken |title=Church's Chicken |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= |website=linkedin.com |publisher= |accessdate=2014-07-17}}</ref> There are locations in [[Belarus]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Canada]], [[Curaçao]], [[Egypt]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] ([[Tbilisi]]), [[Guyana]], [[Honduras]], [[Indonesia]], [[Iraq]], [[Jordan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kuwait]], [[Laos]] ([[Vientiane]]), [[Malaysia]], [[Mexico]], [[New Zealand]], [[Pakistan]], [[Russia]], [[St. Kitts]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Singapore]], [[Syria]], [[Thailand]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]], [[Ukraine]], the [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Venezuela]], [[Vietnam]], and [[Puerto Rico]].
===Name===
Alvin C. Copeland claimed he named the stores after the fictional [[detective]] [[Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle]] in the movie ''[[The French Connection (film)|The French Connection]]''<ref name=times>[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/business/25copeland.html?ref=obituaries Martin, Douglas. "Al Copeland, a Restaurateur Known for Spice and Speed, Dies at 64"]. ''[[The New York Times]]'', March 25, 2008</ref><ref>Hoffman, Ken, "Chicken Cordon Bleu est TACO tres magnifique", King Features Syndicate, published in ''The Gazette'' of Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, Iowa, June 19, 1998, p. 2, ("chain was named for Popeye Doyle, the cop in ''The French Connection''") [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CR&z=CRGB&p_theme=cr&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFE97540B025E0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Archived online at newsbank.com]. Retrieved March 27, 2008</ref> and not the [[comic strip]] and cartoon character [[Popeye|Popeye the Sailor]].

The name is spelled "Popeyes" without an [[apostrophe]], as used by other restaurant chains such as [[McDonald's]] and [[Hardee's]]. Copeland claimed facetiously that he was "too poor" to afford an apostrophe.<ref name=times /> The chain later acquired rights to use Popeye the Sailor for marketing. The company's early brand became deeply tied to the cartoon star with its sponsorship of the ''Popeye & Pals'' children's show in New Orleans, and the character appeared on items from packaging to racing boats. In late November 2006, AFC announced the mutual termination of their licensing contract with [[King Features Syndicate]], effectively ending their association with the Popeye characters.<ref>[http://www.ajc.com/news/business/popeyes-ditches-ex-spinach-eating-pitchman/nTF8p/ "Popeyes ditches ex-spinach-eating pitchman"], ''[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution|The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]],'' November 26, 2013.</ref>

===Acquisition by Restaurant Brands International===
On February 21, 2017, [[Restaurant Brands International]] announced a deal to buy Popeyes for US$1.8 billion.<ref name=nyt-pop>{{cite news |last=Silva Laughlin |first=Luaren |date=February 21, 2017 |title=Restaurant Brands Takes a Bite Out of Popeyes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/21/business/dealbook/restaurant-brands-takes-a-bite-out-of-popeyes.html?ref=dealbook |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date= February 22, 2017}}</ref> On March 27, 2017, the deal closed with RBI purchasing Popeyes at $79 per share via Orange, Inc, an indirect subsidiary of RBI.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/restaurant-brands-international-inc-announces-successful-completion-of-its-tender-offer-to-purchase-all-of-the-outstanding-shares-of-popeyes-louisiana-kitchen-inc-617157513.html |title=Restaurant Brands International Inc. Announces Successful Completion of its Tender Offer to Purchase All of the Outstanding Shares of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. |via=PR Newswire}}</ref>

==Products==
[[File:Fried-Chicken-Set.jpg|thumb|Popeyes mild chicken]]
Popeyes serves chicken dishes in mild and spicy flavors and offers sides such as red beans and rice, [[French fries|Cajun fries]], mashed potatoes with Cajun-style gravy, and [[dirty rice|Cajun rice]]. As well as fried chicken, other entree items include a chicken-and-sausage [[jambalaya]] and [[po' boy]] sandwiches. Most combo meals come with a [[side order]], drink, and a [[biscuit (bread)|biscuit]]. On October 30, 2006, AFC announced that Popeyes planned to introduce a [[trans fat]]-free biscuit as well as french fries containing one gram of trans fat by year-end.<ref>[http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=80211 Dow Jones newsire (Oct. 31, 2006): "AFC's Popeyes Chicken Plans Low Trans-Fat French Fries", by Richard Gibson]{{dead link|date=September 2017}}</ref> On November 18, 2011, AFC announced that, for the [[Thanksgiving]] holiday, Popeyes would release a Fried Turducken sandwich that would show off the first ever [[Turducken]] patty. On July 29, 2013, AFC began offering a special entree of fried chicken strips dipped in waffle batter, which was already a proven success in some markets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/popeyes-chicken-waffles-tenders_n_3645022.html|title=Popeyes Debuts Chicken Waffle Tenders, World Wonders Why No One Else Thought Of That Already|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=July 24, 2013|accessdate=September 6, 2013}}</ref> For a limited time only in 2017, Popeyes offered "Sweet and Crunchy" chicken, fried chicken tenders coated in shortbread cookie breading.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aol.com/article/lifestyle/2017/06/19/popeyes-is-now-frying-its-chicken-in-mashed-up-cookies-heres/22489530/|title=Popeyes is now frying chicken in cookie batter – here's the flavor verdict|publisher=AOL|access-date=June 22, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

==Style and marketing==
[[File:Popeyes coleslaw.JPG|thumb|Coleslaw from Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits restaurant]]
The restaurants have a distinctive red-and-yellow color scheme. The original locations had a black lava rock exterior with a red shingled roof. Most older locations have covered the rock exterior to conform with the current yellow stucco appearance. During the 1970s and 1980s, the company occasionally licensed characters from the [[Popeye]] comic strip to use in its advertising. TV and radio ads often use New Orleans-style music, along with the trademark "Love That Chicken" jingle<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popeyeschicken.com/downloads.html|title=Popeyes Chicken|publisher=Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen|accessdate=February 22, 2017}}</ref> sung by New Orleans [[funk]] and [[R&B music|R&B]] musician [[Dr. John]].

In 2009, Popeyes introduced "Annie the Chicken Queen", a fictitious, upbeat, [[African-American]] Popeyes chef. The character is meant to be "honest, vibrant, youthful and authentic" according to Dick Lynch, Popeyes Chief Marketing Officer. "Everyone has a relative or a good friend who will give it to them straight, and that's what the Annie is all about", Lynch said.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen |url=http://www.popeyes.com/article.php?articleno=MTAz |title=Popeyes keeps it real with new advertising campaign |date=March 30, 2009 |accessdate=May 27, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527031232/http://www.popeyes.com/article.php?articleno=MTAz |archivedate=May 27, 2009 }}</ref>

==Number of franchises==
Popeyes maintains a "Hall of Fame" of its franchise holders. Among the inductees is [[Morgan W. Walker, Jr.]] (1928–2008), originally from [[Alexandria, Louisiana]], who held a franchise in the [[Washington, D.C.]], area from 1979 to 2007. Some international franchises, such as the ones located in [[Germany]], [[France]], and [[Japan]], are only located on U.S. military installations and are generally not accessible to the local civilian public.

<center>
{| class="wikitable" text-align:center;"
|-
!width=20%| Year
!width=20%| United States
!width=20%| Canada
!width=20%| Outside the United States and Canada
!width=20%| Company-owned
|-
|2003 || 1,324 || 20 || 320 ||95
|-
|2004 || 1,382 || 28 || 347 || 67
|-
|2005 || 1,427 || 28 || 315 || 56
|-
|2006 || 1,459 || 31 || 306 || 50
|-
|2007 || 1,507 || 34 || 276 || 61
|-
|2008 || 1,527 || 39 || 301 || 55
|-
|2009 || 1,539 || 42 || 325 || 37
|-
|2010 || 1,533 || 42 || 333 || 37
|-
!colspan=5 style="text-align:right;"| <small>Source: Entrepreneur.com<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/popeyeschickenandbiscuits/282707-0.html|title=Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Franchise Information|work=Entrepreneur|accessdate=February 22, 2017}}</ref></small>
|}
</center>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Cheryl Bachelder]]
* [[List of fast-food chicken restaurants]]
* [[List of fast-food chicken restaurants]]
* {{portal-inline|Food}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits restaurants}}
{{commons category|Church's Chicken}}
* {{official website|http://www.popeyes.com/}}
* {{Official website|http://www.churchs.com}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981111184242/http://www.popeyes.com/ |date=November 11, 1998 |title=Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits }}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031101215329/http://www.menumasters.com/1999/1999_popeyes.cfm |date=November 1, 2003 |title=MenuMasters 1999 Award: "Best Menu/Line Extension: Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits }}


{{Establishments serving chicken}}
{{Establishments serving chicken}}
{{Fast-food chains of the United States}}
{{Fast-food chains of the United States}}


[[Category:Companies based in Sandy Springs, Georgia]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Texas]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1972]]
[[Category:Restaurants in San Antonio]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of Canada]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food franchises]]
[[Category:Fast-food poultry restaurants]]
[[Category:Fast-food poultry restaurants]]
[[Category:Restaurant chains in the United States]]
[[Category:Chicken chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of Singapore]]
[[Category:Companies based in Sandy Springs, Georgia]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1952]]
[[Category:2017 acquisitions]]
[[Category:1952 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Deep fried foods]]

Revision as of 23:47, 16 December 2017

Church's Texas Chicken
Company typePrivate
IndustryFood
Founded17 April 1952; 72 years ago (1952-04-17)
FounderGeorge W. Church, Sr.
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia, United States
Number of locations
1,700+
Key people
Jim Hyatt, CEO
ProductsFast food, including fried chicken, french fries, and biscuits
OwnerFriedman Fleischer & Lowe
Websitechurchs.com

Church's Chicken is an American chain of fast food restaurants specializing in fried chicken, also trading outside North America and Asia as Texas Chicken.[1] The chain was founded as Church's Fried Chicken To Go by George W. Church, Sr., on April 17, 1952, in San Antonio, Texas, across the street from The Alamo.

The company, with more than 1,700 locations in 25 countries, is the third-largest chicken restaurant chain behind KFC and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.[2]

History

A Church's Chicken in Detroit.

Initially, the restaurant only sold chicken, but added fries and jalapeños in 1955.[2] The company had four restaurants by the time of Church's death in 1956. In the 1980s, the chain briefly operated a hamburger franchise called G. W. Jrs in Texas.[3]

From 1979 through 1986, Church's Chicken sponsored the "Grand Prix" series of chess tournaments under the auspices of the United States Chess Federation.[4]

Rapid growth followed, and Church's became the second-largest chicken restaurant chain in 1989, when it merged with Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits.[2] The brands had their supply lines consolidated, but were still marketed as separate chains. Hala Moddelmog was appointed as president of Church's Chicken in 1996, making her the first female president of a fast-food restaurant chain.

Church's was owned by AFC Enterprises, along with Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and Cinnabon, through the end of 2004, when it was sold to Arcapita (formerly Crescent Capital Investments). Because Arcapita is an Islamic venture capital firm, pork products were removed from the menu after the sale (as pork is not halal) in 2005.[5][6] Also, American Church's Chicken restaurants switched beverage products to Coca-Cola (some locations serving Coke products and Dr Pepper), while still retaining the Pepsi contract in Puerto Rico and Canada.

Texas Chicken In Tbilisi

On August 10, 2009, San Francisco private equity firm Friedman Fleischer & Lowe bought Church's Chicken from Arcapita.[7]

In some areas, Church's is co-franchised with the White Castle hamburger chain.[8] In Canada, Church's Chicken items were once available in Harvey's restaurants, but the co-venture was discontinued.[9]

To date, Church's Chicken has over 1,660 locations in 30 countries.[10] There are locations in Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Curaçao, Egypt, Georgia (Tbilisi), Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos (Vientiane), Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russia, St. Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Puerto Rico.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Texas Chicken enters India with its first outlet in Hyderabad". prlog.org. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "History of Church's Chicken". Archived from the original on 2008-10-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) at official website
  3. ^ "Church's Chicken History". fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  4. ^ "US Chess Federation". Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  5. ^ "AFC Enterprises Inc., franchisor of Popeyes, Church's Chicken, and Cinnabon, reports improved results for the fourth quarter". amonline.com. 2003-12-16. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  6. ^ Janet, Levy (2008-05-02). "Outlawing the Pig". frontpagemagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2009-02-03. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Church's Chicken sold to private equity firm". San Antonio Business Journal. American City Business Journals. 10 August 2009. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Gramig, Mickey H. (November 2006). "White Castle, Church's Chicken to Share Restaurant Sites". Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. Retrieved 2009-02-03. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Lorinc, John (1995). Opportunity knocks: the truth about Canada's franchise industry. Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-455693-3. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Church's Chicken". linkedin.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
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