Have you ever bitten into that crispy, spicy Popeyes chicken sandwich and wondered, “Who’s the genius behind this delicious empire?” Well, you’re not alone! As a fast-food enthusiast (yes, I admit it), I’ve been curious about the ownership of this Louisiana-style chicken chain that’s taken the world by storm. Let’s dive into who actually owns Popeyes in 2025 and how this beloved chicken joint has evolved over the years.
The Current Owner of Popeyes: Restaurant Brands International
If you’re looking for the quick answer Restaurant Brands International (RBI) is the current owner of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen They acquired the chicken chain in March 2017 for a whopping $18 billion in an all-cash deal. That’s a lot of chicken sandwiches!
RBI is a Canadian-based multinational fast-food holding company headquartered in Toronto. They’re publicly traded on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol QSR.
But the story doesn’t end there. Let’s peel back some layers (like that perfect Popeyes crispy chicken skin).
The Major Shareholder Behind RBI
While RBI owns Popeyes, RBI itself is majority-influenced by 3G Capital, a global investment firm based in Brazil and the US. As of 2025, 3G Capital remains the largest shareholder of RBI, with approximately 29% ownership.
Other significant shareholders of RBI include major institutional investors such as:
- The Vanguard Group
- BlackRock
- Fidelity Investments
These investors hold smaller but still significant shares and influence through board voting rights.
The History of Popeyes Ownership
Popeyes hasn’t always been under the RBI umbrella. The chain has had quite the journey since its founding:
The Beginning: Al Copeland
The original founder and owner of Popeyes was Alvin C. Copeland Sr., who opened the first restaurant on June 12, 1972, in Arabi, Louisiana (a suburb of New Orleans).
Fun fact: The restaurant was initially called “Chicken on the Run,” but after struggling for a few months, Copeland rebranded it as “Popeyes Mighty Good Chicken” and later “Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken.”
Copeland named the restaurant after the character Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle from the 1971 film The French Connection — not the cartoon sailor many assume! And apparently, he skipped the apostrophe in “Popeye’s” because he was “too poor” to afford it. Gotta love that humor!
The Financial Rollercoaster
Popeyes had a bit of a financial rollercoaster ride through the years:
- 1976: Began franchising, helping the brand expand quickly
- 1989: Copeland Enterprises purchased rival chain Church’s Chicken
- 1991: Filed for bankruptcy protection after taking on too much debt
- 1992: Creditors created America’s Favorite Chicken Company (AFC) as the new parent company for both Popeyes and Church’s
- 2001: AFC went public with an IPO of $142,818,479
- 2004: AFC sold Church’s to Arcapita but retained Popeyes
- 2014: AFC renamed as Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. (PLKI)
The RBI Acquisition
Finally, on March 27, 2017, Restaurant Brands International completed the purchase of Popeyes at $79 per share through an indirect subsidiary called Orange, Inc. At the time of acquisition, Popeyes had over 2,600 locations globally.
Who Runs Popeyes Today?
As of 2025, Jeff Klein serves as the President of Popeyes U.S. and Canada. He took on this role in March 2024, succeeding Sami Siddiqui, who transitioned to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at RBI.
Klein previously served as Popeyes’ Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) starting in 2022. Before joining Popeyes, he had over 25 years of experience in marketing and consumer insights, including roles at Little Caesars Pizza and PepsiCo.
The Value of Popeyes in 2025
Popeyes has grown significantly in value since its acquisition. As of 2025, the brand is valued at approximately $4 billion, reflecting steady growth from $3.6 billion in 2024 and $3.2 billion in 2023.
Here’s a quick look at Popeyes’ net worth over the past decade:
| Year | Estimated Net Worth (USD) | Notable Events |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $1.1 billion | Final years as independent public company |
| 2017 | $1.8 billion | Acquired by RBI |
| 2019 | $2.1 billion | Boost from Chicken Sandwich launch |
| 2021 | $2.6 billion | Accelerated global expansion |
| 2023 | $3.2 billion | Growth in international markets |
| 2025 | $4.0 billion | Continued expansion and profitability |
What Does Popeyes Own?
While Popeyes is a subsidiary of RBI, the chicken chain itself owns and operates several entities and assets:
- Popeyes U.S. Corporate Restaurants: Company-operated outlets serving as flagship and innovation test locations
- Popeyes Kitchen Innovation Lab: Miami-based test kitchen focused on new product development
- Popeyes Digital Platforms: Proprietary ordering and loyalty systems
- Popeyes Training and Operations Center: In-house training facilities for staff and franchisees
- Popeyes IP and Branding Assets: Trademarks, recipes, and visual branding
Global Reach of Popeyes
As of 2025, Popeyes operates over 3,700 restaurants worldwide. The brand has a significant presence in North America and continues to expand internationally in:
- Europe (UK, France, Spain, Romania)
- Asia (Philippines, Indonesia, China)
- Middle East
- Latin America
In the UK alone, Popeyes plans to open 45 new restaurants in 2025, building on the 33 locations established in the previous year. In August 2023, British private equity firm TDR Capital invested £50 million into Popeyes UK to support this growth.
Other Brands Owned by RBI
Popeyes is just one jewel in RBI’s crown. The company also owns several other major fast-food brands:
- Burger King: The flame-grilled burger chain with over 18,000 locations worldwide
- Tim Hortons: The beloved Canadian coffee and donut chain
- Firehouse Subs: Added to the portfolio in 2021
Business Model: Mostly Franchised
Like many fast-food chains, Popeyes operates primarily through a franchise model. In fact, about 98% of Popeyes restaurants are franchised, with only around 50 locations being company-owned.
This franchise-heavy approach aligns with RBI’s overall business strategy, which focuses on collecting franchise fees, royalties, and real estate leasing revenue rather than directly operating restaurants.
The Famous Chicken Sandwich Impact
We can’t talk about Popeyes without mentioning the chicken sandwich that broke the internet! Launched in August 2019, the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich created such a frenzy that it sold out nationwide in just two weeks.
This viral sensation:
- Increased Popeyes’ traffic by 103%
- Generated an estimated $23 million in free publicity
- Helped accelerate the brand’s growth and valuation
- Cemented Popeyes as a serious competitor to Chick-fil-A
Celebrity Connections
While not an owner, rapper Megan Thee Stallion became a Popeyes franchise owner in 2021 as part of a collaboration that included the launch of her signature “Hottie Sauce.” She’s expected to open her own Popeyes restaurant in Houston in 2025.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Popeyes Ownership
As we look ahead, Popeyes seems firmly established within the RBI family. The brand continues to grow globally, with new markets opening regularly and innovations coming from their test kitchens.
While ownership structures can always change in the business world, for now, if someone asks you “Who owns Popeyes chicken?”, you can confidently answer: Restaurant Brands International, with 3G Capital as the largest influencer behind the scenes.
And next time you’re enjoying that perfectly spicy chicken sandwich, you’ll know exactly who to thank for bringing it to your neighborhood!
Our StoryDiversified Foods and Seasonings, L.L.C. (DFS) was founded in 1984 by renowned entrepreneur Al Copeland, Sr., founder of Popeyes Fried Chicken, to supply consistent and unique quality products to his growing restaurant chain.
Popeyes grew from a local hot spot to 1,678 domestic locations and 450 international locations in 40 years. Currently, all Popeyes locations are supplied by DFS. DFS also supplies numerous full service restaurant chains and institutions with a variety of proprietary seasonings, batters and breadings, and kettle cooked foods.
Diversified Foods and Seasonings, L.L.C. opened in Metairie, Louisiana in 1984. Due to growth, DFS expanded to Madisonville, Louisiana in 2002. Since the opening of the Madisonville location, DFS has opened locations in Theodore, Alabama and Nebraska City, Nebraska due to supply chain logistics.
The Mysterious Origin of Popeyes
FAQ
Who is the real owner of Popeyes?
Popeyes is owned by Restaurant Brands International (RBI), a Canadian multinational fast-food holding company, which acquired it in 2017. RBI, in turn, is a publicly traded company that is majority-owned by the Brazilian investment company 3G International. While the current ownership is corporate, the founder of Popeyes was Al Copeland.
Who currently owns Popeyes chicken?
The POPEYES® brand is owned by Restaurant Brands International Inc. (“RBI”), one of the world’s largest quick-service restaurant companies with approximately $35 billion in annual system-wide sales, in addition to TIM HORTONS®, FIREHOUSE SUBS®, and BURGER KING®.
Who is the real CEO of Popeyes?
What celebrity owns Popeyes?
Meghan Thee Stallion, known for her dynamic presence in the music industry, has ventured into the world of franchising with Popeyes. She became a franchise owner as part of a comprehensive development deal with the fast-food chain.