Page 4 - Best of the Best 2020

4N • BEST OF THE BEST
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
SUBMITTED PHOTO SARAH DECLERK/ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Left: Popeyes has unveiled many new menu items since it was founded in 1972, including the chicken sandwich that launched last year. Right: With 32 locations in central Arkansas, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
was named Best Fried Chicken in the Best of the Best readers’ poll.
BEST FRIED CHICKEN Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen >>
Authentic New Orleans flavor a hallmark of chicken chain
When it is time for lunch or dinner, many Arkansans look forward to pulling up to a bright-orange Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen location to answer the question, “Mild or spicy?” The flavorful biscuits, shrimp and, es- pecially, chicken that distinguish the chain have earned Popeyes a place on the tables of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette readers, who voted the franchise Best Fried Chicken in the newspaper’s 2020 Best of the Best contest.
“[I feel] absolutely excited,” said Danny Gililland, franchisee. “It is the best fried chicken, and we have the best chicken sandwich ever.”
Alvin C. Copeland Sr. founded Popeyes in New Orleans in 1972. According to the Popeyes website, Copeland first opened the business as Chicken on the
Run, which sold Southern-fried chicken, but soon reopened the restaurant with a new focus on spicy chicken and a new name inspired by Popeye Doyle from “The French Connection.”
Since then, the brand has grown to in- clude more than 3,300 restaurants across the U.S. and around the world, while con- tinuing to serve the recipes that first made Popeyes a hit in the Big Easy.
There have been numerous landmark moments for the chain, the website states. Popeyes first introduced its distinctive buttermilk biscuits in 1983, and the restau- rant debuted numerous menu items be- fore launching the now-famous chicken sandwich last year. Diners now turn to the restaurant when they have a hankering for anything from crispy chicken tenders and popcorn shrimp to mashed potatoes, coleslaw and apple pies.
The first Popeyes in central Arkansas opened 32 years ago on Grand Avenue in Hot Springs, Gililland said. A second loca- tion on Broadway Street in North Little Rock soon followed. Now, more than 30 of the spice-hued restaurants can be found in central Arkansas.
The national chain maintains a local connection through its franchise owners, who are all area residents who regularly give back to their communities by supporting various charitable causes, Gililland added.
“All of our locations in central Arkan- sas are owned and operated by folks who have families and live in the area,” he said. “We are all a part of our community. Although we have a national brand, we are local operators.”
Ongoing growth in guests and sales indicates that the good times have
continued to roll as the New Orleans restaurant has expanded its footprint in The Natural State, he said. He attributed Popeyes’ popularity to its quality products, tasty chicken and skillful staff.
“Popeyes has a robust training program that all of our team members use to help them better take care of our guests,” Gililland said. “All of our success is due to the work that our restaurant teams do every day, preparing our delicious food and serving it to our wonderful guests.”
Interacting with staff members and patrons is his favorite part of being a franchisee, he said, adding that he hopes the chain will continue to impress the taste buds of diners throughout central Arkansas.
“We want to always be the best that we can be for our guests and our team members,” he said.