What was the original name of the Popeyes restaurant chain when it opened in New Orleans in 1972?

Popeyes was originally called Chicken on the Run when it opened in New Orleans in 1972.

Al Copeland founded the restaurant in the suburb of Arabi, Louisiana. The original concept did not immediately succeed, so Copeland changed the recipe to a spicier style inspired by New Orleans and Louisiana cooking.

After the change, the restaurant was renamed Popeyes Mighty Good Fried Chicken. The brand later became widely known simply as Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and its menu developed a strong association with spicy fried chicken.

The name is sometimes written as Popeye’s, but the company’s modern branding uses Popeyes without an apostrophe. That spelling is separate from the cartoon character Popeye.