Popeyes is stockpiling chicken amid nationwide shortages, price hikes

Fast-food giant Popeyes has been stashing chicken for months amid a nationwide shortage and price hikes — to ensure it has a healthy reserve of poultry ahead of the debut of its new nuggets later this month.

The Miami-based chain, which is owned by Restaurant Brands International, has been building its reserve of frozen chicken for over six months ahead of the rollout of its new nuggets on July 27, Popeyes Americas President Sami Siddiqui said in an interview with Fortune. “Demand is very high right now, and consumer spending is surging” as the country emerges from the pandemic, Siddiqui told the news site. “We’re planning appropriately.”