Popeye’s has announced that they’re making a recurring limited edition offering…a permanent addition to the menu.
The fried chicken chain has had chicken wings on and off the menu for a while now, testing various recipes over a three year period. Now wings in five variations are being permanently added to the Popeyes menu nationwide.
The addition jettisons off the success of the Ghost Pepper flavor which Sami Siddiqui, president of Popeyes North America says were an “overnight success”.
The Ghost Pepper, along with the Sweet N’ Spicy were tested in limited markets in early 2023. The response was so positive that the Sweet N’ Spicy Wings ended up having the highest sales since Popeye’s uber-popular chicken sandwich.
Siddiqui, told CNN:
“In January, when we were running our Ghost Pepper wing [promotion], we saw incredible demand,” he said. “The offer was supposed to last for about six weeks. And we sold out of wings in two weeks.” This summer, Popeyes rolled out another version of the wings, this time with a sweet and spicy sauce. That one did even better, Siddiqui said. “It was actually the most successful product and results we’ve seen since the infamous chicken sandwich.”
Chicken Wings Variations
- Sweet N’ Spicy
- Honey BBQ
- Roasted Garlic Parmesann
- Signature Hot
- Ghost Pepper
The cost of the wings are being reported at $5.99 to start for a 6-piece.
Siddiqui continued: “We know our guests want even more bold Louisiana-inspired wing flavors to choose from and are excited to see our new wings line-up take flight.”
Popeyes has been riding the wave of the chicken sandwiches success and popularity. Just recently Popeye’s dethroned KFC for the second best chicken chain behind Chick-fil-A who took the top spot. Popeye’s is duking it out with Chick-fil-A for the coveted best chicken chain distinction. They have some work to do but permanent wings are a step in the right direction.
