Lakeside Foods, Inc

POPEYES - MANITOWOC, WI

Popeyes Popeyes is an American multinational chain of fried chicken fast food restaurants founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana and headquartered in Miami, Florida. Popeyes distinguishes itself with a unique New Orleans style menu featuring spicy chicken tenders, fried shrimp and other regional items. The chain’s passion for its Louisiana heritage and flavorful authentic food has allowed Popeyes to become one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant chicken concepts with over 2,600 restaurants in the U.S. and around the world.

Popeyes Wins the “Chicken Sandwich Wars” Popeyes recently rolled out their clever chicken sandwich marketing campaign with the help of Apex Marketing Group. Apex Marketing Group estimated that Popeyes reaped $65 million in equivalent media value as a result of the Chicken Sandwich Wars. The $65 million figure is nearly triple the $23 million in media value that the sandwich generated in its first few days on sale, according to an earlier Apex estimate.

About the Operator SmitCo Eateries, Incorporated was founded in 1990. Initially, the primary business involved developing and opening Subway Restaurants. In 2002, the company began selling their Subway franchise in order to pursue Popeyes developments in Northwest Arkansas. In 2003, SmitCo became a Popeyes franchisee and opened their first Popeyes location. Brian Smith, co-founder/ CEO, handles the management structure and heads the new store development. Arkansas-based SmitCo Eateries currently owns and operates 9 Popeyes locations throughout Northwest Arkansas, Southwest Missouri and Oklahoma, as well as locations in Appleton, WI; Manitowoc, WI; Fond du Lac, WI; as part of a 15-unit development deal throughout the Green Bay, Wisconsin market. SmitCo prides themselves on their ability to consistently score high on inspections and in increasing sales and profitability throughout all operations. The company is driven by dynamic leaders with extensive marketing and operations expertise across a broad range of business channels. The founders have a proven 30-year track record in leading companies to profitable growth through innovative thinking and execution and are skilled in moving brands and adding value to each concept.