Popeyes was $400m in debt. Then, 1 genius move saved the founder.
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Amid the colorful hustle and bustle in New Orleans, a donut maker worked day and night to make ends meet.
He had come a long way from the days of when he was a poor kid, who was simply happy to have shoes for his feet.
Still, he couldn’t help but look to the new restaurant down the street with envy. KFC. The popular fried chicken shop opened later and closed earlier but was doing four times the business when compared to his.
Beaten down and jealous, the donut maker decided to bet on himself and make his own fried chicken to compete with KFC. It was only until one mistake after another that he finally came up with a secret recipe that customers loved.
But, his risk it all mentality that led to his eventual success would bring on monumental debt: $400 million. Fortunately, one, ingenious move turned his luck around and allowed him to make $10 million a year - doing absolutely nothing.
This is the story of how a donut maker went from struggling to make ends meet to building and saving Popeyes: one of the most popular, billion-dollar chains in the world.
Sources: pastebin.com/5GPK1q27
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Love your videos ❤
The amount of research you do is incredible ... keep up the hard work . Very impressive and professional vids yet they also have the friendly feel .
nice video 👍
Tastee is the still the Best donuts out there. Still has the Original King Cake recipe from Mckenzie’s. Popeyes is awesome not bad from a kid From Arabi!
I can say no in five languages!lol
I have a Popeyes here in Canada BC. There is also a KFC. The Popeyes here as of 2022 is destroying KFC. Reason? Consistency. The KFC we have here has rapidly degraded and their quality is no longer what it used to be. The fried chicken at KFC is like... just dunked in oil and just doesn't taste like it used to. The Popeyes quality and flavor is what KFC was before KFC dropped in standards.
god I wish our Popeyes was like that. The last five times I went to Popeyes, they kept getting my order wrong. Meanwhile, KFC almost never messed up my order. It's sad cause I really love Popeyes' cajun fries and if they could get better service I'd prob go there instead of KFC.
You're right, the KFC in tsawwassen, their chicken pieces got way smaller. Popeyes, I only tried the one on Steveston Hwy. Love the chicken, but the gravy is extremely salty!? Is that normal?
Kfc in the uk is the same story. Their stuff is rubbish now
KFC has been garbage for a LONG time, don't see how there still in business.
Almost all brands once they became famous quality become poorer and poorer sad to say better to cook at home clean and no msg and other harmful chemicals added to make food tastier.
What makes Popeyes simply taste better is the ingredients. From batter to lard to side order items. No cost-cutting like the competitors. Mashed potatoes from KFC shouldn’t taste like puréed boxed instant mix, etc.
They dont cook with lard.
It's Whipped Potatoes actually. Because they don't start with potatoes to mash. At least, KFC is truthful, I will give them that.
@@yivunqp963 regardless Popeyes potatoes are so much better it makes KFC’s potatoes suicidal!
they use beef tallow, not lard
Excuse me but that Lard you speak of gives me Heart Burn had to quit ordering at Popeyes. KFC has never given me a problem.
“Not named after the Popeyes cartoon” *one minute later* Popeye is in their commercial
Lol
The name is just a coincidence...
The popeye cartoon is not showed as a ad for popeyes chicken. It was a reference to the cartoon only
The real name is Pops Pies but they changed it
I remember back in the 90s we would eat there every Sunday and they would hand out a Popeye watch toy with a kids meal. Something like a happy meal, but the toy was always the same and the restaurant had Popeyes glass window pane decorations everywhere.
I don't know if it's exclusive, but I've noticed that military bases (at least Army and Air Force) tend to have Popeye's instead of KFC or other chicken chains. That's how I found out about them. When my dad was stationed in Seoul, Korea there was a Popeye's right across the street from our high school. I ate there quite often. When I was in the Navy, I found out that the bases I was stationed on did not have Popeyes. That made me sad.
You’re right
Even in normal small-medium sized towns you'll see 3 or even 4 Popeye's and maybe one KFC, if they have any
@@mrmoe110 In my podunk small town, we had a Popeye's my entire life. We didn't get a KFC until 28 years later.
Hook really deserves all the respect for getting reviewbrah in this video❤
“Al was set on overtaking KFC” *Secret Formula*
Your videos are really easy to follow and enjoyable to watch, thank you for uploading ☺️ I always wait for your new videos
The recipe comes from both Cajun and Creole influences. Al Copeland also struck me as a larger than life kind of guy. I loved eating at his restaurant Copeland’s. It was Cajun/Creole but not fast food. people think he only ever ran Popeyes. Popeyes in Louisiana and the South in general tastes better. I’m currently in the Midwest and it’s not good where I am. I wait until I visit my father and friends to eat it.
I felt craving for chicken burger all of a sudden after watching this.
He genuinely sounds like a kind and amazing man!
🤖
How the fk do you come to that conclusion after watching this
@Taiju Secret santa, cancer research and other charitable causes. Areyou deaf?
@@yeshuaislord6880 lol yea after fking over a franchise and depleting resources to those people
@@Billhaderfromtheoffice hey...you gotta break some eggs if you wanna make an omlete...
(0:58) LOL! Doing absolutely nothing!? Wait til' Luigi hears this.
I just had Popeye's today bc I was in a town that had one! Never disappoints!
Down here in New Orleans its so much better! Gotta come down and try the original.
Unfortunately we don't have in south Africa.
I wish there was a Popeye's near me
@@bms.m5445 we have in india haha
@@torpid2836 - Friends and family who grew up in NOLA but live across the country, they make a stop at Popeyes in New Orleans. It's just better here.
I always thought it was named after the cartoon since I remember when I was in UAE as a child, there was a logo of the famous sailor man in their Popeyes's branch. Even the font is somehow similar to the cartoon.
I tried the chick fila chicken sandwich with chick fila sauce is was so good but when I ate the Popeyes one I think Popeyes has the best chicken sandwich and im lucky that I was born in Louisiana and still live there because Popeyes is pretty much everywhere
I’m from Georgia. I live in nyc now. Popeyes is one of only places they fry Chicken like they do back home.
I agree. For me, Popeye’s chicken sandwich is better than Chick-fil-A and the Habit Burger is better than In-N-Out. But hey, that’s just me. 👍
That chicken sandwich is heaven on a bun, unfortunately the Popeyes by me gave pretty much cut the chicken size in half. It’s still tastes good but is not such a great value anymore.
Popeye's has the recipes but they could use the management and quality control of Chick Fil A who makes twice as much money with half as many locations.
We have 3 or 4 popeyes locations in my city, only one is worth going to, and that one has issues from time to time as well. The others, I really can't believe they're still open. Different owners I'm pretty sure.
I'd worked for Church's Chicken for some 20+ years, much of it during the takeover period by Al Copeland, Sr., and Popeye's. Even got "promoted" to training store manager and knew the concepts that both Church's and Popeye's used. Came across Al Copeland, Jr., at one of the former Church's store being converted to a Popeye's in far west Houston the summer of 1989, he was unhappy the way the internal setup of the kitchen/dining room was configured. Told the construction crew to tear down everything and start all over again. Due to the repeated delays of opening this former Church's store to Popeye's, most of the employees of that Church's store got fed up and decided to quit. It was a mess in having to hire more people all over again and train them. Al Copeland Sr., knew his stuff well, even bragged that he could go broke today, but still be a millionaire tomorrow.
Popeyes in Texas has gone completely downhill. Even Church's is now better.
@@jaysantos536 Not in the Houston metro area, about half of the Church's stores have now closed down, completely. Out of business. Even the kitchen equipment and exterior signs have been removed. Most no longer appear on Google maps. Popeye's is still up and running. The several Popeyes I visit regularly are quite consistent in their product quality and service, at least when I visiting them.
@@dwmzmm You’re right The only church’s I knew in third ward closed down. However I only know one Popeyes on Shepherd
@@jaysantos536 not in the Austin area or the San Marcos area. (I was born and raised in Austin so travel there a lot, and I am going to college at Texas State.) don’t get me wrong I miss Church’s chicken as I grew up with it, but I hardly find them and the ones I have gone to in recent time are not nearly as good as Popeyes.
@@desmondmitchell5387 they're constantly building more every year. i know of 5 that were built on the northwest side but only 2 churches still around
The sandwich has not tasted the same ever since they brought it back. The original sandwich pre sell out was the best chicken sandwich ever.
right. and if you watch the video again; he says that that popeye's changed right after the chiken sandwich came out. it doesn't taste the same or look the same. its probably half the size it used to be.
@@ChickenMcThiccken It's too bad because it really would have served Popeye's better to maintain the quality of the product in such high demand in the long run. Instead they decided to water it down in order to streamline it to parallel their poor customer service. It was miles better than Chick-Fila, truly a missed opportunity.
@@ChickenMcThiccken The original was huge
@Imagine That ! hockey pucks XD
My only issue with Popeyes is that their chicken got smaller. I don't know if it is a regional thing but their size got smaller and KFC is considerably larger. I also remember their 2 piece Tuesday for $0.99. Bring that back and I would go back.
Nice job on the video. Something else Al did was put all his racing boats and other toys in a showroom and charge admission so people could get a closeup view of his amazing collection. Now it’s a business write off lol So many amazing stories I could tell but out of respect, I’m keeping them to myself. Awesome guy!
How do you know Al?
Been waiting for new posts!
It's super expensive now. I'll just remember the good ol days
Thank you so much for sharing this video. 🏆👑
I Love KFC, I Love McD, I Love popeyes, I Love fried chicken, I just Love to eat, just watch this video and keep eat whatever fried chicken u want guys, dont be too noisy
R.I.P Al Copeland one of New Orleans greatest characters and ambassador's, Popeyes has NEVER been the same!!
A couple complaints, one only 9 Popeyes in New Orleans when there were over double that count back in the day, two since the late 90s the biscuits have changed in terms of taste
A man got stabbed and died over a Popeye's chicken sandwich just down the street from me when they were first selling the sandwich. It's literally worth dying for.
Me, who lives in the netherlands: *laughs in Eating KFC*
This was the ultimate Verzuz in a chicken battle, it almost turned deadly like the West coast an East coast beef in the 90's 😂😩
I'd go to Popeyes a lot more often if I my order wasn't messed up so frequently. How does the place with the best chicken sandwich have the worst customer service?
And I always thought this restaurant was a tie in to the Popeye’s Cartoon
They sure advertised it back in the day.
Love stories like this. Not everyone can succeed but if you don't give it your all, you will never know. My granddads words.
Bro I been waiting for this everyday
The international map showing Canada and putting them on the map in the middle of nowhere made me smile
Very inspiring indeed,I loved watching the moment the chicken wars started it was hilarious and very competitive and still is
Amazing story. I met Al Jnr at a motorsport event a few years back in Germany. Really decent guy.
I love Popeye's, unfortunately, the franchise in our town of Prosper Texas is horrible. I visit other stores around Dallas but boycott our local store, it is awful. I wish someone would buy it out or take it over because it is in a great location. Great corporate story.
My father worked oilfield in Louisiana at night .his 2 nd job for that day in the morning he worked in a tiny trailer selling TASTEE DONUTS at the corner of Barrow street in Houma ,Louisiana ,along with Al Copland's brother .How many times I seen my father and Al Copland drinking until noon . This was when he was trying out his recipes , the good thing is we ate a lot of free fried chicken .Al was a nice man ,he did good things to help others ,it was nice to know you Al .
Yeah, Ronnie Picou is my cousin, who bought the donut shop from Al. I was told the same thing by family, that this is where he perfected his recipe for the chicken. I was told he worked in the attic portion of the building mixing spices.
@@chrissietian2474 You are correct ,I was only 6 years old when he did his work .We would go to a man's house to cook ,Al Greene was his name . I wonder if his son realize that he did most of the cooking in Houma? I am happy to here other people know the story . Ask Ronnie if he remembers the pull around trailer they fried donut's in before he built the building .Thanks
Sick video - super inspiring
Glad New Orleans is getting some recognition! Makes me proud to live here.
Unfortunately your town is a disaster right now and desperately needs help!!
I was born and raised in the Big Easy, and I love it dearly, but each successive city council and mayor have worked hard to do worse than the last - it's like they take, 'how bad can it get', as a challenge. 😪
Have watched all your videos, Can you do one on Heinekin and start with how liquor started as it is much more than food...
that old popeyes building and logo brought back memories. the one we had down the street growing up looked exactly the same
Popeye's is definitely my favorite go-to for chicken, but they made a huge mistake when they took their fried onion rings off their menu.
I agres!
I used to enjoy seeing his yearly Christmas decorations at his home and also his car and boat garage that was highly visible off the highway.
R.I.P. to all the chickens that were eaten throughout the years...thank you for being delicious...👑🐔🍗🍽
That music change 7:02 🤣
I wish our popeyes was good. It opened a few years ago and srarted out strong but apparently they hire useless employees because the service is horrible and I gave up going after multiple attempts. It always looks empty now so it may not make it long term.
The sraff here in Nashvile is subhuman and lazy
Sadly no one knows about Doyuyo, a chain fried chicken only exits in Turkey. BEST Fried Chicken i ever had, if any of you guys ever decides to visit Turkey, be sure to go there
Al had a Beach spot next to ours in Destin. He travelled with boats, Harley’s, cars, rvs and lots of pretty girls. As we started having kids his wild parties continued. One year my then three year old son tapped one of his girls on the buttocks asking her to put on her bathing suit. We all had a good laugh! Yes, he was our wild neighbor but I can say he is is a great guy! Good old days on the beach!
Out of all the new chicken sandwiches that just came out Popeyes is my favorite. And surprisingly Burger kings new recipe is good also.
The local Popeyes here is the worst one I have ever eating at. I don’t know if it’s management or other employees.
Hi love the videos they give me such a nice feeling
ME TOO! TX.
I'm from New Orleans. I enjoy some people's interpretations on our history. This was a good one. Hopefully you'll dive into some other American giants born in New Orleans! 👍×10
I’m from Florida and we have Popeyes here as well, but baby let me tell you. Popeyes in Louisiana hands down 😩😩🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 the best. First thing I had when I visited back in may. 🤭
i lived in new orleans for a year first on n broad it was a big green house on stilts where dollar general is now then on canal between mc donalds and burger king the house next to broadway. bound..very fond memories of that lovely city.
Ain't nothing like New Orleans
The only Popeyes outside of Louisiana that hits on the spice level is the one in Las Vegas on W. Bonanza and Rancho.
A jealous donut maker?😂 anyways he got it right I love Popeyes instead of kfc
I agree. Inspiration comes in all forms. Sadly, lol. These dummies, think they possess something. There is no bigger joke, than a L.
Popeye's _had_ some good chicken back in the day (I think they are using Cornish game hens, judging by the size of the pieces). I wonder how much of Copeland's business came from the red beans & rice & buttermilk biscuits. When I worked as a delivery driver I couldn't afford the chicken for lunch every day, but for under $2 I could get me some red beans & rice and a biscuit and be one my way quick, fast, and in a hurry. I miss his Christmas lights display. Repose en paix, cher.
They saved $400M by removing all customer service and hospitality guidelines. The chicken tastes better when the workers are rude tbh.
5:56 REMEMBER, the chain has nothing to do with Popeye the Sailor Man!
Great video hook. Now do a video on los pollos hermanos
"One taste, and you'll know."
I haven’t ate Popeyes chicken since they started serving pigeon size chickens and charging 12 times surprise for itsy-bitsy pieces of chicken
Mashed potato from Popeyes is the best.
What a beautiful corporate story. I feel more obese than ever, the American Dream !
Popeyes in Korea on army base was always good after a night of drinking 😂
I miss eating Popeyes I can’t eat it anymore because they have a new dessert that has peanuts in them.
What you're saying doesn't make sense ...is there's something I'm missing ? Can't you just go to Popeyes and do without the dessert with the peanuts in it ... ?
@@gardensofthegods The thing is that they fry the dessert in the same oil as the chicken, leavening traces of peanuts in the oil.
@@gardensofthegods cross contamination
@@gardensofthegods Some allergies are worst enough that traces of it in pans, plates, or anywhere the allergen is prepared, that the allergy is affected
I made a Sweet and Salty Fried Chicken. It wasn't Bad. First Bite you would know what to think but after you finished you piece It ended up Pretty Good.. Called it Jojo's Sweet and Salty Chicken.
The biscuits in the 80's were incredible. They definitely aren't the same. And used to love their onion rings.
Great video
I actually knew Al Copeland thank you for doing this!
I went to college where Al Copeland had an entire floor above us . Think 4th floor. He was a very nice man. Opened the doors for others. At Christmas he had so many lights in his yard , that people would line up for blocks in their cars to see it.
The donut shop Tastee's was in the town of Houma, La where I grew up. On Barrow street. My family member (cousin) Ronnie Picou bought it from Al who was his friend. We were told that donut shop is where Al perfected his seasoning recipe. The attic portion to be exact. Cousin Ronnie and Al brought lots of good food to the area. Al had a rest. called Copelands that is delish! R.I.P. Al and Ronnie
I live in the Houma area!
I'm South African and I enjoy Popeyes meals here at home. Thanks for the video and history that made the brand.
No problem man. Let me know what you want us to cover next. I'm the guy narrating the video.
Was in Johannesburg roodepoort to see my girlfriend in March and saw a Popeyes. I was shocked. Never knew they had one in south Africa. Next time I leave the eastern Cape and go there I'll definitely check it out 👌is it good?
@@MKRCinema I enjoy it. We have one in Menlyn Mall, Pretoria.
amazing story
I like the first motto lmao
Your back!
The quality of many of their franchises is poor.
What is the background music at 1:24?
Most KFC'S franchises taste the same. I can't say that for all Popeyes franchises 🙁
Still has the Worst service I have ever had at a fast food restaurant. Every time I have gone to one they had 10 emploues behind the counter, but only two working. Can't imagine how much money they would have made with the staff at Chick-filet.
I do love Popeye's. When it comes to chicken sandwiches, though, KFC's Double Down was a truly sublime creation.
I love Popeyes - but I also love Chick-Fil-A. Just depends on my mood on which one I want. Also the one-up Chick-Fil-A has - their spicy chicken is done with just the filet, they don't need a sauce to make it "spicy" - and I wish that is the same direction Popeyes had gone. Because imagining their filet but a spicy version? Mmm.
That's a true American Success story 👌👍
I personally prefer Popeyes over all others. This was a great video. I learned a lot n the history of Popeyes.
Have you tried Bojangles?
I grew up with Popeyes and there was one right off my college grounds. That said, as inspiring as this story is, making a business succeed is not exactly a sure thing. You probably have to be really driven to do it.
Yes and that desire may force you into questionable business decisions.
These entrepreneurial stories make me want to visit USA, impressive!
Best fried chicken there is. I eat there as often as possible, sort of my "cheat" meal. I remember years ago the spicy taste had changed a bit for a short while but returned to the original taste. Al Copeland had a love for offshore powerboat racing. He was also very into Christmas in his neighborhood and put up numerous lights on his home which sometimes angered his neighbors.
Bojangles for me.
@@erwinhouser7704 Bojangles is some dam good chicken ! And so is Popeyes!!
they need to put that seafood chicken gumbo back on their menu.
Also the original Butterfly Shrimp recipe too
Popeye's my favorite fast food chicken by far as long as they have the right employees working there that's the main issue.
great video!
Good stuff
What a coincidence, I got a Popeyes ad while watching this
you gotta talk about that flounder sandwich that will keep me a customer for life
"Risk It For The Biscuit, Even If It Is A Rock."
Back in the early 80's I lived in Lafayette Louisianian and was a regular customer of Popeyes. They even offered alligator on a stick which was fantastic. living and working in the swamps of southern Louisianian alligators were everywhere in the wild but they were protected by law. A couple Cajon companies started alligator farms which supplied the alligator meat to Popeyes. Wish I could still get it. I have retired to Oregon and when I mention Swamp Lizard (alligator) on a stick people don't believe me. Oh yes, I do have a spicy Popeyes chicken sandwich a couple times a month when I venture into the big town of Salem. If you are ever in southern Louisianian find a backroads local restaurant and order some. you will love it.
After Katrina some Popeyes in Kenner and Metairie was selling fried pork chops
great story
Your videos are sooooo gooood
Tnx for sharing this video host 👍
The gravy is the best part !! KFC does boxed mash potatoes 🥔 they are gross 🤢
When I finally got the sandwich I wasn't impressed. Of course it could just be the restaurant. A good crew can make or break a restaurant. I do like the chicken but in South Florida the nearest one near me is just way too slow. The employees are on dead slow service mode. There's a new one opening up nearby. I'm hoping it's faster.
Their chicken sandwiches beat them, not much else. But their sandwich is by far the best and it’s why I choose them over KFC.
Chick-fil a: “Am I a joke to you?”
Although I agree their chicken sandwiches are pretty good much larger than Chick-fil a’s
U like kfcs chicken more than Popeyes?
@@reesespuffs1296 chic-fil-a is alright. It's more crispy than crunchy like the Popeyes and the chicken itself is pretty average at CFA.
A interesting video. 🙏🏻
Popeyes in TN closing because no one wants to work for $11 an hour, when McDonalds pays $19