Krispy Krunchy Chicken vs. Popeyes: Which Is Better?

America loves fried chicken, so it’s no surprise that several establishments vie for the coveted “favorite” spot. And we all know that everyone has their favorite — some of my friends’ fights were solely based on where they wanted to eat. Still, with so many fried chicken places popping up in different regions of the country, it can be hard to pick the best one. So which one is better — Krispy Krunchy Chicken or Popeyes?

Krispy Krunchy Chicken is the better choice if you’re feeling adventurous with your selection. However, if you want brand recognition and a solid reputation that’s been going on for over 50 years, then Popeyes is the better choice.

After some deliberation, I’ve narrowed it down to two similar choices. Both are beloved fried chicken franchises, so let’s find out which one of them reigns supreme.

Differences

Comparing Krispy Krunchy Chicken with Popeyes is interesting because they both started in Louisiana. Although they weren’t founded specifically to compete with each other, each brand has grown significantly to attract the attention of the masses.

Origins

Popeyes came first into the scene in 1972 when Al Copeland opened a chicken restaurant called “Chicken on the Run” in Arabi, Louisiana. It was unsuccessful, so Copeland reopened and called it “Popeyes Mighty Good Chicken” before ultimately renaming it “Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken” in 1975. [1]

Meanwhile, Krispy Krunchy Chicken first came to life in 1989. Convenience store owner Neil Onebane started frying some chicken in one of his stores in Lafayette, Louisiana. That business expanded through 200 convenience stores before expanding again into thousands more in 2006. [2]

Menu

Fried chicken is the main attraction for KKC and Popeyes, so let’s see what other items they offer:

• Krispy Krunchy Chicken
  • Breakfast sandwiches in biscuits
    • Bacon, egg, and cheese
    • Canadian bacon, egg, and cheese
    • Sausage, egg, and cheese
  • Chicken sandwich
  • Chicken wings
  • Chicken tenders (Cajun-flavored)
  • Honey Butter Fried Shrimp
  • Fried Fish
• Popeyes
  • Fish Sandwich
  • Shrimp Tackle Box
  • Chicken Sandwich
  • Popcorn Shrimp
  • Chicken Tenders
  • Chicken Nuggets

Regarding variety, KKC wins very slightly with its offerings. They offer breakfast sandwiches, while Popeyes has no breakfast menu at all. It seems like a missed opportunity for KKC to have a chicken breakfast sandwich on their menu.

However, Popeyes offers three different seafood selections: fish sandwiches, fried shrimp, and popcorn shrimp, and KKC only has the first two on its menu.

But in terms of chicken sandwiches, Popeyes takes the crown for that. During its launch, the sandwich was sold out across the country for months, and fights broke out in Popeyes locations that managed to sell a few here and there. You can’t say KKC got the same attention with their chicken sandwich.

Fried Chicken

My chicken-loving friends always tell me that no visit to KKC or Popeyes is complete without ordering their fried chicken; it’s the star of their menu.

KKC calls their chicken “Krispy Chicken,” and they infuse each piece with a Cajun seasoning that extends beyond the skin. They offer 8, 12, 16, and 25-piece options, fully customizable to include only white meat, dark meat, or a mix of both. You can also get them as a 2, 3, or 4-piece meal or a family meal platter. [3]

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Popeyes’s Signature Chicken has two styles: classic and spicy. The company doesn’t specify how they season their chicken, so how they flavor each piece is unknown. They sell their chicken in 8, 10, and 16-piece boxes; meals come in 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, and 16 pieces. [4]

Side Dishes

I sincerely believe that delicious fried chicken is even better when accompanied by a side dish. Let’s take a look at each restaurant’s offerings:

• Krispy Krunchy Chicken
  • Honey Biscuits
  • Red Beans & Rice
  • Jambalaya
  • Mac-N-Cheese
  • Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
  • Fries (regular, potato wedges, and waffle-cut)
  • Boudin Bites
• Popeyes
  • Homestyle Mac & Cheese
  • Cajun Fries
  • Mashed Potatoes with Cajun Gravy
  • Red Beans & Rice
  • Coleslaw
  • Buttermilk Biscuit

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At a glance, it’s easy to spot KKC and Popeyes’ Louisiana roots with some of their side dishes. Red Beans & Rice are a staple in the southern US, as is Mac & Cheese. Mashed Potatoes also appear, but it’s fascinating to see Popeyes’ adding a Cajun twist to their gravy instead of staying traditional.

Fry lovers definitely have a better selection with KKC’s three offerings. And their Boudin Bites — a battered fried rice and pork ball — is more eye-catching than coleslaw.

Of course, no southern-style offering is complete without biscuits. You might not know about KKC’s second biscuit offering, usually only available for breakfast: blueberry-flavored biscuits. Between that and their honey biscuits, it’s clear that KKC is trying to balance the salt with some sweetness.

Popeyes, on the other hand, only offers one kind of biscuit, which seems enough for most people because they rave about those biscuits all the time. Is simplicity the key?

If you want a unique side selection, then KKC is the clear winner. But if you want a trusted staple, Popeyes might just win you over. I really love both, and so I usually choose according to my cravings at the moment.

Locations

Most of KKC’s 2,500+ branches in the US are attached to gas stations and convenience stores. That’s an excellent idea: you can fill up your fuel tank and bring home dinner from the same place. Some parts of Malaysia and Mexico also enjoy KKC’s food and convenience.

Popeyes, on the other hand, operate on a more traditional scale, and they’re usually in mall food courts or standalone locations with drive-thru capabilities. They’ve also expanded internationally, opening several branches in the UK, Mexico, China, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

Which One Is Better, Krispy Krunchy Chicken or Popeyes?

Now that we’ve examined each one closely, it’s time to pick a winner. Both brands are from Louisiana and sell fried chicken, so which one deserves your business more?

Krispy Krunchy Chicken is the better choice if you’re feeling adventurous with your selection. Not many people would expect to buy a filling meal from a gas station or convenience store, and KKC wants to break that stereotype. And with unique choices such as blueberry biscuits and Boudin Bites to accompany their marinade-infused fried chicken.

However, if you want brand recognition and a solid reputation that’s been going on for over 50 years, then Popeyes is the better choice. After all, they have more locations for customers to visit. Pair that with solid marketing and a simple, recognizable menu; you have the recipe for a successful franchise.