Church’s Chicken and Popeyes Bring Back Limited-Time Seafood Favorites

Image courtesy Cajun Operating Company

Two of the nation’s biggest quick service chicken concepts, Church’s Chicken and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen revealed this week that some of their most popular fish and shrimp entrees will return next month.

Image credit Business Wire, courtesy Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

After a successful initial run this summer, Popeyes is bringing Butterfly Shrimp back to its menu.  Images accompanying a news release issued by the company (and published on Investors.com) indicate that this revamped offering swaps the Zatarain’s spice blend and cornmeal breading originally used for the same seasoning and breading mix used on Popeyes’ trademark fried chicken.  Aside from that change, the shrimp will still come “peeled and [de-veined]…with the tail still attached.”  Another constant is the price — as part of the Seafood Tackle Box, diners can grab eight pieces of Butterfly Shrimp, an order of french fries and a buttermilk biscuit for $4.99.

Church’s, meanwhile, is adding two items to its menu: battered fish fillets and spicy popcorn shrimp.  Both of which will be available with french fries, as a fish-and-chips-type meal.  Pricing will vary by location, according to a company release published on QSR.

In perfect coordination with the observance of Lent, both restaurants will debut the new seafood items beginning in February, and offer them until March 31, 2013.

Image courtesy McDonald’s Corp. via Belle News

The six weeks between the Roman Catholic holidays of Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday are traditionally laden with seafood specials from quick service restaurants, which attempt to capitalize on the fact that observers traditionally abstain from eating meat on Fridays during that period.  A McDonald’s franchisee first created the Filet-O-Fish Sandwich to cater to his Roman Catholic customers.  In recent years, the chain has held special pricing promotions on the Filet-O-Fish on Fridays during Lent.  This year, McDonald’s is promoting the entree during Lent once again, touting its new distinction as “Certified Sustainable Seafood” by the Marine Stewardship Council.  In February, the world’s biggest hamburger chain will also debut a brand new seafood snack, Fish McBites.

Atlanta-based Arby’s has already reintroduced its Alaskan white fish sandwich, the Reel Big Fillet, offering two sandwiches for $5.00 at some locations.

Image courtesy Arby’s IP Holder Trust

Tags: Arby's, Butterfly Shrimp, Church's Chicken, Fish and Chips, Lent, McDonald's, Popcorn Shrimp, Popeyes, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen