Quick Facts: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
| Owner | Restaurant Brands International (RBI) |
| CEO | Josh Kobza (RBI CEO) |
| Founded | 1972 (New Orleans, Louisiana) |
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida, USA (Popeyes); Toronto, Canada (RBI) |
| Ownership Type | Public |
| Stock Ticker | NYSE: QSR / TSX: QSR |
| Publicly Traded | Yes |
Who Owns Popeyes?
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is owned by Restaurant Brands International (RBI), a publicly traded Canadian-American fast food holding company that acquired the Popeyes brand in March 2017 for approximately $1.8 billion. RBI trades on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol QSR. Beyond Popeyes, RBI also owns Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Firehouse Subs — making it one of the world’s largest quick-service restaurant companies by total system-wide sales and restaurant count.
Restaurant Brands International was formed in 2014 when 3G Capital, the Brazilian private equity firm known for aggressive cost management, merged Burger King (which it had taken private in 2010) with Tim Hortons, the iconic Canadian coffee and fast food chain. 3G Capital remains a major shareholder in RBI through its affiliated entities. Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett’s company) was also an early investor in the Burger King/Tim Hortons combination, though its stake has diminished over time. Josh Kobza has served as CEO of RBI since early 2023, succeeding Jose Cil who led the company’s significant expansion including the Popeyes acquisition and the later addition of Firehouse Subs.
Popeyes was founded in 1972 by Al Copeland in Arabi, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The chain was originally called “Chicken on the Run” before being renamed Popeyes Mighty Good Chicken (a name inspired by the movie character Popeye Doyle from The French Connection, not the cartoon character Popeye the Sailor). Copeland built the chain into a regional powerhouse before taking it public and eventually selling it. The brand passed through several owners before RBI’s acquisition. Popeyes shot to global fame in 2019 when its crispy chicken sandwich became a viral social media sensation and generated record-breaking sales lines at restaurants across the United States.
About Restaurant Brands International
RBI operates as a pure franchising company, collecting fees and royalties from its network of franchisees who own and operate the individual restaurant locations. The company’s headquarters are in Toronto, Canada (Tim Hortons legacy) with significant operations in Miami (Burger King and Popeyes). RBI’s portfolio spans more than 30,000 restaurants in over 100 countries, with the four brands — Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs — each addressing different segments of the quick-service restaurant market.
Key Ownership Highlights
- RBI acquired Popeyes in 2017 for $1.8 billion: Restaurant Brands International purchased Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in March 2017 for approximately $1.8 billion, adding the New Orleans-inspired fried chicken chain to its portfolio alongside Burger King and Tim Hortons.
- 3G Capital is a major RBI shareholder: The Brazilian private equity firm 3G Capital, known for its aggressive cost-cutting approach, was instrumental in forming RBI and remains a significant shareholder. 3G Capital also has stakes in Kraft Heinz (with Berkshire Hathaway) and other major consumer companies.
- The 2019 chicken sandwich went viral: Popeyes’ crispy chicken sandwich, launched in August 2019, became one of the most viral fast food moments in social media history, driving enormous customer demand, long drive-through lines, and a temporary sell-out of the sandwich that lasted weeks.
- RBI is publicly traded on NYSE and TSX: Restaurant Brands International (ticker: QSR) is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. This dual listing reflects the company’s dual American-Canadian identity stemming from the Burger King/Tim Hortons merger.
- Al Copeland founded Popeyes in 1972: New Orleans entrepreneur Al Copeland opened the original Popeyes location in Arabi, Louisiana in 1972, eventually building it into a major chain before selling. Copeland was known as much for his flamboyant lifestyle as for his business success in the fast food industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Popeyes?
Popeyes is owned by Restaurant Brands International (NYSE/TSX: QSR), a publicly traded fast food holding company that acquired Popeyes in 2017 for approximately $1.8 billion. RBI also owns Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Firehouse Subs. Josh Kobza is RBI’s CEO.
Is Popeyes publicly traded?
Popeyes itself is not separately traded. It is owned by Restaurant Brands International, which is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: QSR) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: QSR).
Who founded Popeyes?
Popeyes was founded by Al Copeland in 1972 in Arabi, Louisiana (a New Orleans suburb). The chain was originally called “Chicken on the Run” before being renamed. Copeland built it into a major regional fast food chain before it eventually changed corporate hands multiple times.
What other brands does RBI own?
Restaurant Brands International owns four major quick-service restaurant brands: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Firehouse Subs. Together these brands operate more than 30,000 locations in over 100 countries.