Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen — Restaurant in Ankeny

I was employed with this Popeyes since 1/2/2024, until 2/13/24.

I have worked with Popeyes company in the past (different ownership)(2016-2018).

To say they are professional is an absolute understatement. Some of the men coworkers harass the female coworkers, making comments while on the clock. I should add in the male workers who have done this have higher up titles, it’s pushed off because they are that title in “training”. It’s being reviewed by HR is what the vp has informed the female coworker, he also said it shouldn’t be talked about except with HR but somehow or another, another “assistant manager” “in training” knew about the situation. The idea of training the employees is a joke. They have an online course you have to do and that’s it. Nobody takes the time to ensure the workers are doing the job correctly.

I understand it’s a brand new location and so things are still getting figured out but it’s to the point where it’s not even worth waiting around for it to be figured out. All of the managers, GM’s, RM’s, etc are all lacking the sense of communication. They lack compassion and just general courtesy. They ignore the basics on absolutely everything. When giving advice on how to help the shift run smoother, nobody seems to care. Chaston is the VP, he is unprofessional beyond the rest.

Nobody wears gloves, hairnets etc when preparing absolutely anything.

The dine in is pretty much always closed leaving just the drive through with one lane. The least anyone could do if the lobby is closed is make a sign, something.

When working there, they never preordered anything. Who sells shrimp but doesn’t order cocktail sauce? Oh yeah, this Ankeny Popeyes location. The warmers are supposed to set a timer to know when the food needs to be thrown out, I haven’t seen anyone set those timers. They pre-make the chicken sandwiches and they sit in the warmer getting exactly as everyone mentioned, soggy. If you order a chicken sandwich with no pickles, the workers legitimately just pick the pickles off and rewrap the sandwich.

Save yourself the headache, the money and all of the above and find a new restaurant until if and when this one gets...

I don't usually leave reviews but I think our experience warrants a detailed account so hopefully management can review and take appropriate action.

We went in at about 5 on Wednesday. The place was not busy so we where hoping for a good experience. Plenty of staff on and it looked like the corporate trainers are still on hand. Usually a good sign for a new restaurant.

Nope.

The staff where in complete disarray. We saw two other people go back up to the counter as items where left out of their order. This should have been our first clue to double check our order but we missed it.

This was our first time in and the order taking experience was not pleasant. The clerk could not get the order right.

Us " We would like number 4 - the two piece with fries" Them "so you want a 4 piece meal"... Nope! And it continues as such. I will spare further details.

We got the home opened the meal and the gave us the world's smallest drumstick and a wing for 11 dollars..

My wife called them back to see if it was correct and we got a fair bit of attitude from the clerk that answered the phone. She first asked what comes in the menu item. They advised a thigh and a drummy or a breast and a drummy . We advised they gave us a small drummy and a chicken wing.... for 11 dollars. No sympathy. No apologies. No we will follow up with the kitchen on that.. just effectively go kick rocks. "If you wanted something specific you should have asked." This was our first time in, the clerk at the front did not tell us, and it does not say to ask on the menu.

I also used the restroom while waiting for the food. So I can leave a review on that as well.

The built in trash can crowds the urinal. The built in trash can is not in use and the insert is in the middle of the floor between the urinal and toilet. The urinal is set for toddler height. The bathroom does not seem clean.

We will be going to kiwk star in the future for fried...

Lobby was closed during at 10:30 am (the hours posted on the door start at 10:30am) without any explanation as to why, and despite the store JUST opening we didn’t get our food until 30 minutes later. We got there around 10:28ish, and left after 11am. Our order was six wings, a wrap and lemonade.

This location has a SERIOUS issue with timeliness and professionalism thus an issue with quality of service. This has happened to me a few times when I was in store but the lobby being closed in the morning DURING LOBBY HOURS when there are little to no customers (a few people just straight up left after not being allowed to get in the lobby, while the lobby hours on the door laughed in their faces) and the fact that a small order took over 30 minutes to be made is unacceptable. The wait time wasn’t acknowledged by the workers either, nor did we get an explanation for the doors being locked. I’ve also gotten that same sort of indifference in store. AND!!!!! We didn’t even receive a receipt!!! Nor were we asked if we wanted one!! So how can we even report this if we have no proof that we even were at the restaurant????

I just expect to receive the service that I’m told I will receive, and expect the store to do what they say they’re going to do. Being inconvenienced at every step of the way to get fast food of all things is insane, especially because nearby competitors don’t do that. People don’t deserve that sort of treatment. The whole situation was ludicrous and I will be avoiding this Popeyes for the time being. The only saving grace is that the food is...