Popeyes, the popular US food chain, prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary this month, and as a result, is selling two pieces of its famous bone-in chicken for 59 cents. The store said in a statement that the price reflects what customers originally paid in 1972 when the Al Copeland-founded company first opened its doors. 

Originally known as ‘Chicken on the Run’, Popeyes comes from New Orleans, Louisiana, and is known for its distinctive spicy chicken. The first franchise opened in 1976, and currently, there are over 2,800 stores across the US alone. 

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However, the 50th-anniversary deal comes with a few conditions. Between June 12 and June 19, customers who use the Popeyes app or order from their website can avail of the 59-cent offer, only if they spend a minimum of $5. This offer is not available for deliveries, and in Los Angeles, the purchase must be $10 minimum, to get the anniversary deal. 

Popeyes is currently headquartered in Miami, Florida. It is owned by Restaurant Brands International, the Toronto-based company, which also owns other popular chains such as Tim Horton’s, Burger King, and Firehouse Subs. Popeyes has hundreds of international locations, spread across 25 countries. This year, numerous new Popeyes outlets were announced in South Korea. 

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When Popeyes first opened its doors, the year was marked by the Watergate Scandal and Elton John’s hit number ‘Rocket Man’, among other occurrences. The Southern-fried chicken selling shop struggled initially, prompting Copeland to rename it Popeyes. The name draws inspiration from Popeye Doyle, which is Gene Hackman’s character in the 1971 movie ‘The French Connection’, directed by William Friedkin. It became iconic at the time, due to one of the finest chase sequences in American and world film history. 

Popeyes is the latest among US brands to go with creative promotions to mark special occasions. Last month, KFC sold Mother’s Day bouquets, which were filled with fried chicken.