Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen — Restaurant in Chicago

On Sunday, August 25, 2025, I first attempted to visit your E 47th Street location, but as has often been the case, it was closed for maintenance. With family coming for dinner, I went to the E 35th Street location instead. Unfortunately, my experience there was highly unsatisfactory.

The drive-thru line was long, so I went inside. The store was clearly understaffed. The front-counter employee was simultaneously taking orders, packing food, and handing orders to customers. The manager was operating the drive-thru while also packing orders for window service.

Two individuals in the back, not in uniform, were not working and were using loud profanity. When the manager asked one to help, she said she had no uniform; the other stated she was not working that day.

The line inside was extremely long, causing visible frustration among customers. Several left without ordering. The lobby was dirty, and the food preparation area was disorganized and unsanitary.

This location currently has 1,181 Google reviews with an overall rating of 2.9 stars, many citing the same issues: long wait times, poor customer service, and lack of cleanliness.

A refund would not be an adequate resolution. I expect corporate to:

Implement comprehensive training for managers and staff on professionalism, customer service, and operational efficiency.

Provide maintenance and cleaning protocols to ensure sanitary conditions.

Establish accountability measures to ensure staffing and performance standards are met.

Customers spending their money at Popeyes should not be subjected to substandard service, unprofessional conduct, and...

This is absolutely THEE WORST Popeyes I've ever experienced. The first thing I noticed is that there were about 6 customers waiting for their order with tickets in their hand, and none of them had a happy face. The waiting area was very small. Before placing my order, I asked the gentleman, was it going to take long? He said no. I ordered a three piece meal dark. After ten minutes of waiting, more customers entered and ordered. After 15 minutes, only one person walked out with their food. People with mobile phone orders were asking about their food, but no one was getting answers. The crowd started to get frustrated as everyone was complaining. They gave the wrong order to a woman. She searched through the bag and she said it wasn't hers. They then gave it to the right customer, but she said she didn't want it because the other woman put her hands all through the bag. There was an argument, but she got a refund. I asked for a refund, which I thought was going to be quick . All the employees had red shirts, but they had three managers with gray shirts at the register debating on how much I got back, although they had my receipt in their hand. I paid with a $20 bill. My total was $11.95, and my change was $8.05. One manager was trying to give me $8.05 back. I told her that was incorrect, and then she owed me $11.95. It took about four minutes for them to give me my correct amount back. They need to close that place down!!! I believe fast-food workers should get more than the minimum wage, but then when things like this happen, I think some are...

And the award for worst customer service goes to Popeyes on 35th. I miss when this Popeyes actually cared about the time it should take from when you order to when you get the food. Today was the last straw. Today is the second time I've had to go next door to KFC because of their cavalier attitude towards the wait time in the drive thru. There was only one person ahead of me and after they took that person's order, I still was waiting for about 4 minutes after the lady said "One moment". So I pulled off and saw the other customer at the window. Maybe she had a large order, maybe not! The point is instead of taking my order, their attempt was to fulfill the previous customer's order then take mine so their drive drive thru time isn't high. They've been doing this for years, but what they used to do was when you got to the window, they'd ask you to back up to the garbage can and then pull back up to the window. It's places like this that makes fast food staff not deserving of $15 an hour. Hell to the naw!!! Is my vote. You only have one job and it's to serve FAST FOOD, emphasis on FAST! With more opportunities presented to the neighborhood of Bronzeville, you'd think these people would appreciate their job. Instead, they want to continue living up to the long wait times because that's what they're known for. I'll continue to take my Popeyes business to 32nd and Ashland like I started to in the first place. Shouldn't have to leave my own neighborhood for something down the street from me....