Don't expect to score a Popeyes Chicken Sandwich anytime soon.
On Tuesday, Popeyes released a statement announcing it will likely sell out of the highly coveted item in several days—just two weeks after it was added to the menu. But don't worry: The fast food chain reassured customers it's "working tirelessly" to bring back the sandwiches as soon as possible. They've also used the chicken sandwich drought to shamelessly push their mobile app for Android and iOS.
"We have seen an extraordinary demand for the new Popeyes Chicken Sandwich following our nationwide launch on August 12. It has been amazing to see our guests share their love for our brand and for the new Chicken Sandwich on social media and beyond, and we are truly humbled and grateful for their support," Popeyes wrote in a statement. "The demand for the new Chicken Sandwich in the first few weeks following launch far exceeded our very optimistic expectations. In fact, Popeyes aggressively forecasted demand through the end of September and has already sold through that inventory."
The statement continues: "As a result, Popeyes restaurants across the country are expected to sell out of the Chicken Sandwich by the end of this week. We, along with our suppliers, are working tirelessly to bring the new sandwich back to guests as soon as possible. To be among the first to know when the Chicken Sandwich is available, download the Popeyes app in the App Store or Google Play and sign up for push notifications."
Unsurprisingly, Twitter users weren't thrilled with the news.
Popeyes' Chicken Sandwich blew up last week, thanks in large part to a viral exchange between the company and Chick-fil-A, which is known for its breaded chicken sandwiches. The back-and-forth caught on like wildfire, prompting social media users to pick a side. Factors like taste and price were, of course, at the forefront of the debate; however, some arguments went political, with many people criticizing Chick-fil-A's business practices that largely rooted in conservative Christian beliefs. Many explained they'd rather support Popeyes over Chick-fil-A, as the latter has reportedly donated to anti-LGBT organizations.
In the past several days, photos and videos of Popeyes' long lines have circulated on social media. The surge in business was credited to the hype around the newly added chicken sandwich, which began to sell out at locations across the country.
According to a new Business Insider report, a number of Popeyes employees have had to work extra hours—some exceeding 60 a week—to meet the high demands for the chicken sandwich.
"I was working like a slave in the back prepping the buns with pickles and the spicy mayo," an 18-year-old crew member told the outlet. "Everyone wanted to quit so bad because it was that bad. We have never seen it get this insanely busy."
The employee, who works at a location in Orange County, California, claimed he had made at least 600 sandwiches during an 11-hour shift this past Saturday. He told Business Insider that one of the orders consisted of 35 chicken sandwiches. Maybe that customer was taking a cue from Quavo, and planned to flip the highly desired items for a profit.
