Popeyes’ employees report being forced to stand until their legs go numb
for 10-hour shifts.

[ [link removed] ][IMG]

Demand Popeyes franchises increase its minimum wage for Black fast-food
employees.

[ [link removed] ]Take Action

Dear John.

Since the August 12th launch of the Popeyes chicken sandwich, Popeyes has
sold more than 1,000 sandwiches a day--sparking a media frenzy that has
led to millions of dollars in revenue.^1 However, despite the wild success
of the sandwich, Popeyes’ employees have not reaped the benefits of their
hard work--in fact employees report being forced to stand until their legs
go numb for 10-hour shifts, work over 60-hour weeks, forgo state mandated
breaks, and stand on the front line of customer harassment - all while
making less than $10 an hour in some states.^2 The success of the company
wouldn’t be possible without Popeyes’ employees who make the food, tend
the registers, and in some cases, face social media humiliation in
response to the popularity of the sandwiches. That’s why we’re asking
Popeyes to pay its employees a living wage. 

[ [link removed] ]Demand Felipe Athayade, Popeyes President, implement a living wage for
its employees.

Popeyes happily used parts of Black culture and language through
culturally appropriated branding and marketing, sparking a social media
sensation that doubled it’s projected quarter sales this year.^3,4 All
while treating its Black fast food employees poorly while they stand on
the front-line of labor exploitation due to corporate manipulation of
supply and demand.^5 Restaurant Brands International, who acquired the
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen brand in March 2017, benefits from increased
dividends, but Black fast food employees are receiving the short end of
the stick.^6 

[ [link removed] ]Demand fair wages for Popeyes employees.

Popeyes stores are individually franchised; therefore, making employee
wages, hours, hiring, and retention of employees individual matters.^7
However, Restaurant Brands International reaps the big bucks and should
enforce stricter corporate policies to make a fair wages a mandate. Its
moments like these where we can stand in solidarity to fight for the
marginalized and powerless in the face of cultural appropriation and
corporate greed. Popeyes and its parent company must be held accountable
for the increased workload the demand this sandwich created. 

[ [link removed] ]Demand Popeyes franchises increase its minimum wage for Black fast-food
employees.

Until justice is real,

--Jade, Rashad, Arisha, Evan, Johnny, Future, Eesha, Samantha, Marcus,
FolaSade and the rest of the Color Of Change team

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References:

 1. “Popeye's Q3 sales boom amid chicken sandwich craze; Impossible
Whopper boosts Burger King,” USA Today, October 28, 2019,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 2. “Threats, Leg Cramps, No Breaks: What Popeyes Workers Put Up With
During The Sandwich Craze,” Vox, August 28, 2019,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 3. “The Double Standards of Cultural Appropriation,” The Bottom Line:
University of California, Santa Barbara, February 22, 2017,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 4.  “Tim Hortons Drags on Restaurant Brands,” Wall Street Journal,
October 28, 2019,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 5. “Why Popeyes Is Still Out of Fried Chicken Sandwiches,” Vox, September
6, 2019,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 6. “Restaurant Brands In Deal To Acquire Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen For
$1.8 Billion,” CNBC, February 21, 2017,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 7. “Popeyes Braces For The Return of The Chicken Sandwich After The
Original Launch Sparked Chaos And Left Workers Exhausted,” Business
Insider, October 28, 2019,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]


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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. [ [link removed] ]Help
keep our movement strong.

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