Popeyes Partners With Long Beach Restaurant That Shamelessly Resold Its Fried Chicken

Earlier this week, Eater LA reported that Sweet Dixie Kitchen was closing, with new owners taking over as soon as this weekend. The Long Beach restaurant went viral in 2017 when a customer spotted Sweet Dixie staff carrying boxes of Popeyes chicken into the kitchen, with no mention of this outside product on the menu. But in a brand new twist on #PopeyesGate, Popeyes partnered with Sweet Dixie Kitchen to introduce the chain’s first chicken sandwich.

It’s a sweet ending for owner Kimberly Sanchez. When local outrage and national press picked up on the story, backlash came far and wide, especially on Yelp. But Sanchez was unapologetic and completely owned the scandal. She even sold #PopeyesGate t-shirts from her restaurant.

Sweet Dixie Kitchen will sell Popeyes’ buttermilk-battered chicken sandwich on a brioche bun today and Friday, slightly before Popeyes introduces it nationwide on August 12. Popeyes even filmed a promotional video with Sweet Dixie owner, Kimberly Sanchez, which details the entire saga and ends with a jingle dedicated to the embattled restaurant.

Sweet Dixie Kitchen’s Instagram account notes they’re working with the new owners on the transition, and are still serving food.

Sweet Dixie Kitchen. 401 E. 3rd St., Long Beach, CA

• Popeyes Launches Fried Chicken Sandwich by Teaming Up With Restaurant That Ripped Them Off [Eater]
• That Long Beach Restaurant Reselling Popeyes Fried Chicken Seems to Be Closing [ELA]