# Does Popeyes Chicken **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2006, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717 "2006-03-24T14:36:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/1 "2006-03-24T14:36:33Z")
Does Popeyes Chicken have anything to do with Popeye the Sailorman? There is certainly no indication of it in the outlets around here, but maybe at one time there was. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/2 "2006-03-24T14:38:44Z")
No, Popeye Doyle. > **[Popeyes: Online Offers and Ordering](https://www.popeyes.com/popeyesstory.asp)** > > Get access to exclusive coupons. Discover our menu and order delivery or pick up from a Popeyes near you. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/3 "2006-03-24T14:39:41Z")
Nope. According to [Wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popeyes_Chicken_&_Biscuits), it was originally called “Chicke on the Run.” Later it was renamed to Popeye’s after the character in _The French Connection_. Of course, later on it did license Popeye the Sailor in advertising since the cartoon is more embedded in popular consciousness than the movie detective. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/4 "2006-03-24T14:41:27Z")
It is not named after Popeye the Sailor: “Popeyes first opened in Arabi, Louisiana, a suburb outside New Orleans, Louisiana in 1972 as “Chicken on the Run,” a chicken restaurant owned by Al Copeland. The name was changed shortly afterwards, but it was not named after Popeye the Sailor, as one might surmise. Instead it is named 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, either). The chain would later license the 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.” > **[Popeyes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popeyes_Chicken_&_Biscuits)** > > Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., also known as Popeyes and formerly named Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits. is an American multinational chain of fried chicken fast food restaurants that was founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana and headquartered in Miami, Florida. It is currently a subsidiary of Toronto-based Restaurant Brands International. > According to a company press release dated June 29, 2007, Popeyes is the second-largest "quick-service c Popeye... ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/5 "2006-03-24T14:43:45Z")
As the OP, I send many thanks to the first three responders. I am going to have to start using wikipedia! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/6 "2006-03-24T14:58:45Z")
I’m amazed. I always assumed it was named after the nickname of the founder, or something. Why the heck would they name it after a guy who had nothing to do with chicken? Considering the bar scene in **The French Connection** , I don’t think I want to order the Shakes at Popeye’s. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/7 "2006-03-24T15:11:39Z")
> [@Ronald C. Semone](#): > > As the OP, I send many thanks to the first three responders. I am going to have to start using wikipedia! Actually my first thought was Popeye’s own web site. Looks like Wikpedia mostly quotes that. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/8 "2006-03-24T15:15:43Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I’m amazed. I always assumed it was named after the nickname of the founder, or something. Why the heck would they name it after a guy who had nothing to do with chicken? > Considering the bar scene in **The French Connection** , I don’t think I want to order the Shakes at Popeye’s. Yeah, All I can think about now is people picking their feet in the restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/9 "2006-03-24T15:37:13Z")
Speaking of oddly named chicken places, wasn’t the Atlanta based Chick-Fil-A once named Dwarf House or something like that? ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/10 "2006-03-24T16:05:06Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > Yeah, All I can think about now is people picking their feet in the restaurant. Only in Poughkeepsie. ---
**Author:** ![arcticdonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e95f7d/32.png) [@arcticdonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arcticdonkey)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/11 "2006-03-24T16:17:14Z")
I’ve actually only had Popeyes once (about a year ago). I bought all sorts of stuff because I thought it looked great, but it made me sick…so no more. My introduction to the chain is that I always remember driving through Chicago and they had an overpass on I-85 that had a Burger King and Popeyes…I always opted for BK. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/12 "2006-03-24T16:23:10Z")
> [@](#): > > Quote: > Originally Posted by gazpacho > Yeah, All I can think about now is people picking their feet in the restaurant. > > Only in Poughkeepsie. Yer all missin’ the point. “Popeye” Doyle used to take the confiscated drugs, mix 'em up with what wass left in people’s drinks, shake up up, and call it a “milkshake”. Gene Hackman saw the real Popeye Doyle do it in a raid, and copied it for the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/13 "2006-03-24T16:59:08Z")
Mmmmmm…Popeyes. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/14 "2006-03-24T17:05:08Z")
So the restaurant was named for its milkshakes, because of the scene in _The French Connection_? And the chicken was just because they needed some eats to go with the milkshakes? I’m not sure I get this! ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/15 "2006-03-24T17:16:36Z")
Yes, the links don’t seem to explain _why_ the restaurant was named after Popeye Doyle. As an aside, we have have Popeye’s restaurants here in Panama. The name in Spanish (this goes for the cartoon character too) is pronounced approximately Poh-PAY-yay, which takes some getting used to. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/16 "2006-03-24T21:29:27Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Mmmmmm…Popeyes. Their dirty (Cajun) rice is not bad - not nearly as good as real dirty rice, but the best we can find in the benighted Bay Area. ---
**Author:** ![constantine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@constantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constantine)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/17 "2006-03-24T22:36:14Z")
I’m just chiming in to mention that some friends of mine once convinced someone that the store was actually “pope yes” chicken. We still call it that sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2006, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/18 "2006-03-24T23:08:49Z")
Is it possible that this is like Baby Ruth bars? A company wants to name a product after a famous character but doesn’t want to pay the licensing fee, so they name their product after someone else who has the same name. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/19 "2006-03-25T01:40:06Z")
I could have sworn when I was a kid I had food from there that had Popeye the Sailor Man on the box/bag. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717/20 "2006-03-25T01:41:52Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I could have sworn when I was a kid I had food from there that had Popeye the Sailor Man on the box/bag. You probably did. As has been said already, they used to license the character but no longer do. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-popeyes-chicken/349717.md?page=2)