Late Monday evening, a man pulled a gun at a Popeyes in Houston, Texas, after learning the location had run out of the new viral Popeyes chicken sandwich. Police are searching for a suspect, who attempted to break into the joint after learning of the chicken shortage in the drive-thru.
“Group of people with gun rushes door at [Popeyes] on Scott and Corder,” Jessica Willey, a reporter with KTRC ABC 13 news in Houston, posted on Twitter. “They wanted the chicken sandwich, say employees. Employees were able to lock them out. [Houston Police] responded.”
Group of people with gun rushes door at @PopeyesChicken on Scott and Corder. They wanted the chicken sandwich, say employees. Employees were able to lock them out. @houstonpolice responded. #abc13 pic.twitter.com/6kTYvWRUBI
— Jessica Willey (@ImJessicaWilley) September 3, 2019
The Houston Police Department confirmed her report. “Southeast officers are at 7100 Scott. Male pulled a gun on employees of restaurant after they ran out of chicken sandwich,” the department tweeted.
Southeast officers are at 7100 Scott. Male pulled a gun on employees of restaurant after they ran out of chicken sandwich. 202 pic.twitter.com/xC6jlmwJeD
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) September 3, 2019
Houston Police Lt. Larry Crowson told the Houston Chronicle that officers were called to the location after a group of people tried to order the sandwich in the drive-thru.
“When the manager told them they were out, one of the males became upset and pulled a pistol and demanded a chicken sandwich,” Crowson said. “The manager again informed them they were out of sandwiches.”
The delicious sandwiches have become a viral sensation in recent weeks, with Popeyes tweeting out: “Chicken. Brioche. Pickles. New. Sandwich.”
Chicken. Brioche. Pickles. New. Sandwich. Popeyes. Nationwide. So. Good. Forgot. How. Speak. In. Complete. Sandwiches. I mean, sentences. pic.twitter.com/14kXBv4jJw
— Popeyes Chicken (@PopeyesChicken) August 12, 2019
The new sandwich has unleashed a meme war with Chick-fil-A, which was America’s fastest-growing restaurant chain in 2018, and the third-largest in terms of sales. Chick-fil-A touted its “original” sandwich, to which Popeyes responded, “…y’all good?”
… y’all good? https://t.co/lPaTFXfnyP
— Popeyes Chicken (@PopeyesChicken) August 19, 2019
When Wendy’s tried to compete, Popeyes responded, “Sounds like someone just ate one of our biscuits. Cause y’all looking thirsty.”
Sounds like someone just ate one of our biscuits. Cause y’all looking thirsty. https://t.co/89eqI5vk2z
— Popeyes Chicken (@PopeyesChicken) August 20, 2019
But the new Popeyes chicken sandwiches were sold out last week. The angry customers would have known this if they had checked Popeyes’ Twitter account.
Y’all. We love that you love The Sandwich. Unfortunately we’re sold out (for now). pic.twitter.com/Askp7aH5Rr
— Popeyes Chicken (@PopeyesChicken) August 27, 2019
While it lasted, the delicious crispy chicken sandwich fueled long lines and wait times. An enterprising North Carolina teenager used the long line as an opportunity to distribute voter registration documents and sample ballots.
Tennessee resident Craig Barr actually filed a lawsuit against Popeyes after it ran out of chicken sandwiches, alleging the company took part in “false advertising” and “deceptive business practices.” He is seeking $5,000 in damages.
My wife and I bought sandwiches from Popeyes and Chick-fil-A, both the spicy and normal varieties, and cut them in quarters for an afternoon picnic. We firmly decided that the Popeyes sandwich is far superior. However, Popeyes is notorious for its long wait times for its delicious chicken, and service tends to be substandard. By contrast, Chick-fil-A is fast and its service is second to none.
One more thing is to be said for Chick-fil-A: they don’t usually run out of chicken sandwiches.
Follow Tyler O’Neil, the author of this article, on Twitter at @Tyler2ONeil.
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