Popeyes hopes restaurant-level reliability will turn sales around

Core Insights - Popeyes has experienced a decline in performance since Q3 2024, despite a positive trend in same-store sales following the successful launch of its chicken sandwich in 2019 [3] - The company is shifting its marketing strategy to focus on value offerings to attract price-sensitive consumers, similar to strategies employed by competitors like McDonald's [4] - Popeyes aims to enhance operational consistency and customer engagement, with a focus on its core menu items, including hand-battered and fried chicken [6][9] Company Strategy - Restaurant Brands International (RBI) has increased the Popeyes field operations team by 75% and initiated restaurant coaching visits to support underperforming locations [5] - The company plans to host its first general manager experience rallies across the U.S. in the spring to further engage with franchisees and improve performance [5] - Popeyes is prioritizing its core offerings and intends to provide more details on its strategic plans during the investor day on February 26 [6] Leadership and Management Changes - Peter Purdue, former COO of Burger King U.S., has been appointed as president for Popeyes U.S. and Canada, with a focus on raising operational consistency and rebuilding the leadership team [9] - The company is confident in its ability to return to strong performance levels through disciplined execution and sustained focus on its strengths [7] Market Comparison - The revival of Popeyes is seen as feasible, drawing parallels to Yum Brands' successful turnaround of KFC through menu innovation and value offerings [8] - KFC's recent strategies, including the introduction of Kwench beverages and refined chicken tenders, highlight the importance of product innovation in driving sales growth [8] Sales Performance - U.S. comparable sales for Popeyes fell by 4.9% in the fourth quarter, with a 3.2% dip in comparable sales despite a net increase of 1.6% in unit count [9]