If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Chick-fil-A should definitely be flattered.
Two companies — Popeye’s and Sam’s Club — have recently launched products to compete with Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A.
If you love that chicken from Popeyes but have always wished it came in sandwich form, your wish is being granted. The Louisiana chain announced Thursday it will roll out a chicken sandwich for the first time in its nearly 50 years in business.
Popeyes sandwich, which comes with pickles on a buttered bun, much like Chick-fil-A’s, will be available Monday, August 12, the fried chicken chain said.
Popeyes called it the chain's biggest launch since 1989, when it introduced crawfish to its menu, CNBC reported.
Popeyes' corporate offices were in Dunwoody until last year, when Restaurant Brands International bought the chain and moved the headquarters to Miami.
Chick-fil-A is the third-largest restaurant chain by sales, according to Nation's Restaurant News, and is the country's favorite chain, according to Market Force's 2019 Fast Food Market Research Report.
» Chick-fil-A is officially the third-largest restaurant chain in America
» Chick-fil-A adds 5 new menu items
So it should surprise no one that other companies are trying to copy its success.
Sam's Club has introduced not only a chicken sandwich similar to Chick-fil-A's but also a version of its waffle fries, which are Chick-fil-A's most popular item (the chicken sandwich is fourth).
The Southern Style chicken sandwich at Sam's Club also comes dressed with a pickle. They are available in a box of 10 in stores and online for $15.98. Southern Style waffle fries come in a 4 pound bag for $4.98.
“These are FANTASTIC for someone who loves Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches. I hope sams keeps these and the waffle fries! They are perfect for my kids after school! My family loves Chick-fil-A so this was a hit!” one reviewer wrote on the company’s website.
Sam's touts the sandwich and fries as drive-through alternatives you can have whenever you want, an apparent reference to Chick-fil-A being closed on Sundays, a policy it didn't break even for Super Bowl Sunday in Atlanta.
Sam’s Club already sells chicken bites that closely resemble Chick-fil-A’s nuggets.
Walmart, which operates Sam's Club, last year introduced a dipping sauce that some people couldn't distinguish from Chick-fil-A's signature option.
Today reporters, who gave it a try, said "it's pretty close" to the real thing. And some Reddit users agree, according this thread.
One user wrote, “Honestly couldn't have told the difference. And I'm a hardcore Chick-fil-A sauce person.” Another said, “It’s amazing.”
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