Popeyes
Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, usually called just "Popeyes," is a chain of fried chicken fast food restaurants that is controlled by Atlanta-based AFC Enterprises.
Popeyes first opened in Arabi, Louisiana, a suburb outside [New Orleans, Louisiana|[New Orleans]] in 1972 as "Chicken on the Run," a chicken restaurant owned by Al Copeland. The name was changed shortly afterwards, after the fictional detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in the movie The French Connection (in turn based on a real detective Eddie Egan, whose nickname did not derive from the cartoon character). The chain would later license the namesake cartoon characters for use as a promotional tool, which added to the confusion as to the source. Recently, however, Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits has omitted the use of "Popeye the Sailor" in promotions; one reason given was the inability to market their food effectively with a sailor character.
Al Copeland became very wealthy as the chain franchised out across the USA, and then overseas. He became an icon in the New Orleans area due to his flamboyant lifestyle, including his eponymous power boat racing teams, and his annual Christmas light show at his mansion. After Copeland bought out Church's Chicken, financial pressures forced him to sell the Popeyes chain, but he retains the rights to the spice mix still in use.
Today, the chicken can be ordered mild or spicy and is usually served with a cajun-style side dish. Side dishes include red beans and rice, Cajun rice (dirty rice), cole slaw, mashed potatoes,Cajun-style french fries, jambalaya, and corn on the cob. Certain restaurants may list "Regional Favorites", such as the crawfish Po-Boy, Firecracker Shrimp, and shrimp étouffée. Deserts may include Hot Apple Turnover and "Mardi Gras" cheesecake. The restaurant offers a seasoning packet named "Cajun Sparkle." The buildings have a distinctive red and yellow color scheme, and TV and radio ads often use a New Orleans style jazz-type music, along with the trademark "Luv dat chicken..." jingle sung by Dr. John.
The chain has become a common icon in the media. A "Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits" sign appeared in the movie and subsequent comic book adaptations of Supergirl in 1984, as well as appearing in several backgrounds in various DC comics during that era. Most recently, the chain found some increased popularity due to its reference in the 2000 movie Little Nicky, starring Adam Sandler.