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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.
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
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.
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
References:
- “Popeye's Q3 sales boom amid chicken sandwich craze; Impossible Whopper boosts Burger King,” USA Today, October 28, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/213126?t=9&akid=39003%2E4731121%2EDo5S4B
- “Threats, Leg Cramps, No Breaks: What Popeyes Workers Put Up With During The Sandwich Craze,” Vox, August 28, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/213127?t=11&akid=39003%2E4731121%2EDo5S4B
- “The Double Standards of Cultural Appropriation,” The Bottom Line: University of California, Santa Barbara, February 22, 2017, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/213128?t=13&akid=39003%2E4731121%2EDo5S4B
- “Tim Hortons Drags on Restaurant Brands,” Wall Street Journal, October 28, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/213129?t=15&akid=39003%2E4731121%2EDo5S4B
- “Why Popeyes Is Still Out of Fried Chicken Sandwiches,” Vox, September 6, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/213130?t=17&akid=39003%2E4731121%2EDo5S4B
- “Restaurant Brands In Deal To Acquire Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen For $1.8 Billion,” CNBC, February 21, 2017, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/213131?t=19&akid=39003%2E4731121%2EDo5S4B
- “Popeyes Braces For The Return of The Chicken Sandwich After The Original Launch Sparked Chaos And Left Workers Exhausted,” Business Insider, October 28, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/213132?t=21&akid=39003%2E4731121%2EDo5S4B
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