Popeyes is the fastest-growing fast-food chicken restaurant in the country.
The Louisiana-themed chain has its sights on becoming the biggest dog on the block.
And Popeyes made one move that let KFC know it was time for war.
Popeyes introduces boneless wings to compete with KFC Saucy Nuggets
Chicken has become one of the most popular options on any fast food menu.
And the chicken nugget is a favorite for everyone from kids to adults.
The options for fast food fanatics who want chicken nuggets have exploded this year.
Previously, the only options were traditional or at some chains spicy.
KFC began to blur the line between chicken nuggets and boneless wings when the chain rolled out its Saucy Nuggets this year.
Saucy Nuggets come tossed in one of three sauces, Honey BBQ, Korean BBQ, or Honey Sriracha.
Not to be outdone, Wendy’s launched its Saucy Nuggs to compete with KFC.
And the Dublin, Ohio-based chain gave chicken nugget fans more flavor options than KFC.
Wendy’s traditional chicken nuggets can be “sauced and tossed” in one of seven flavors to make them Saucy Nuggs, Honey BBQ, Garlic Parm, Buffalo, Spicy Honey BBQ, Spicy Garlic Parm, Spicy Buffalo, and Spicy Ghost Pepper.
KFC fired back after the release of Saucy Nuggs by pointing out that they were the originator of saucy nuggets.
Now a full-blown fast food is breaking out with Popeyes entering the fray with its new boneless wings.
Popeyes is rolling out boneless as a permanent addition to its menu nationwide.
Wing lovers can choose between six sauces, Classic, Honey Lemon Pepper, Signature Hot, Honey BBQ, Sweet ‘N Spicy, and Roasted Garlic Parmesan.
Popeyes North America President Jeff Klein called the addition of boneless wings to the menu a “game changer.”
“Our new Boneless Wings are a game changer,” Klein said. “Our culinary team brought the best flavors from our existing Wing platform to this new Boneless offering to give our guests the best of both worlds.”
Popeyes converting skeptics of boneless wings
Boneless wings have been at the center of a controversy in the food world.
Debates have raged over what the difference is between a chicken nugget and a boneless wing.
And if a boneless wing is really a chicken wing.
Actor and comedian Jimmy O. Yang wrote an article for Bon Appétit calling boneless wings “little white meat lies.”
He noted that boneless wings aren’t deboned chicken wings.
They are white meat that’s been breaded and sauced and passed off as wings to consumers.
Yang is a boneless-wing skeptic.
But Popeyes’ boneless wings changed his mind.
“Okay, you got me. I wasn’t acting at all. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m officially a boneless believer,” Yang said. “Popeyes has made a boneless wing so good that I’m eating my words. I used to be a hater —honestly, I’ve always been a hater —but after trying these, holy #$!@, they’re incredible. If these wings can convert me, they can convert anyone.”
Fast food fanatics have a plethora of options this summer to grab fried chicken bites tossed in their favorite sauce.
