Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen — Restaurant in Norfolk

OhMyGoodness, where shall i start? I walked into the restaurant at 2050 (they closed at 2200), and six groups of people were waiting on their orders. I walked up to the register, and asked everyone if they had ordered, and I received nods and nods with grumbles. So, I waited to be acknowledged, and waited, and waited.

While I was waiting, I noticed the manager (?) making deals for substitutions with people whom were waiting on their orders. I also noticed the counter where all of the chicken and biscuits are kept was shiny clean, over an hour before they close. I also noticed nobody was scooping any sides, or putting side tubs in bags.

Finally, at 2115, I am acknowledged. She (manager?) asked me about my order number, and I told her I've been waiting for 25 minutes now. She asked what I would like; I ordered a 12 piece meal...at that she cut me off and said all they had were fries since she came on at 1700. I joked about how the crew forgot their side work. She did not find it at all funny. I then identified I wanted mild. She stated the only white meat they had was spicy. I told her I would wait. Then she said, again, the only white meat they had, for the next 50 minutes was spicy. I now understood the wheeling and dealing with the other, apparently dissatisfied, customers.

So, we left and went to another Popeyes. We arrived at 2125. Upon arrival, I noticed the drive thru was no less than ten cars waiting to order; I walked up to the door and they closed the dining room. I knocked, explained the problems I had at the other Popeyes and the young man alerted the manager. I do not know about Popeyes' expectations for the appearance of their managers, but obviously it must be pretty low. I am not referring to getting dirty helping, chicken batter, etc; I am referring to how he carried himself, how he spoke, and how he acted like he didn't even want to hear about my problems. So, we just bought a couple of pizzas and went home.

I contacted Popeyes Corporate, left a lengthy complaint, and still have not heard back from a single person. So,...

This location/experience only solidified the negative reputation Popeyes has earned for itself.

Coming in to the building at 7pm, I was not surprised to find the drive thru line wrapping 10 cars deep around the building, with another dozen or so orders/customers waiting. Fortunately, I observed at least 8 employees behind the counter/kitchen, and was able to immediately place my order and join the waiting room.

20 minutes later, with only one of my fellow Chicken-Lovers receiving a complete order able to leave and enjoy, I located the shift manager and asked if there was any particular reason I was still waiting for my 3-piece basket. I offered to fill my own order, as I could clearly see the fry racks full of food and the mashed potato Sterno brimming with buttery goodness.

To my interrogative, "Adam" adamantly warned any attempt on my part to circumvent the disorderly, inefficient process currently in place to fill orders, (requiring no less than 3/8 employees on duty to stare out into the crowd, laugh, pick their nose and stir the fry traps at any one time), would be met with swift retribution. I had only 37 seconds to go before witnessing this first-hand...

April-2-Chix-Sandwich and Ronnie-I-Just-Need-My-Biscuits, outflanked me at the counter and released their inner Krakens. Adam, drunk on power and Arnold Palmer, spun around thrice and rapped the countertop with his tongs:

"THIS ESTABLISHMENT IS CLOSED! WE'VE BEEN CLOSED! ANY ORDERS AFTER..." ... Adam begun pointing into the crowd with his tongs, searching for his final victim. His outstretched, greasy palm lines up with mine, and he proclaimed... "THIS GUY, WILL NOT BE FILLED! WE ARE LOCKING THE DOORS! EVERYBODY OUT!"

While I was grateful to end the scene with grease-n-rice in hand...I will never recover from the ordeal. Popeye's...I have ordered my...

I gave a 2 and not a 1 or zero because the chicken is really good. I went in to get a to go order because the last time I went to the drive through I waited about 30-35 minutes. Today's customer service was one of the worst I've experienced in a while. Even though the staff was friendly when they talked to you it came down to catching someone's eye to get any service at all. I stepped up to the counter when I realized the gentleman I was standing behind had already placed his order. I stood there for several minutes before I asked the 5th person who passed by where do I place an order. She kindly sidestepped to the furthest register and rang me up. The original cashier then stepped up as I was paying to see what I needed. I ordered a 4 piece chicken meal with fries, all of which were already cooked and just needed to be placed in a box. The guy I was originally standing behind asked the girl who was filling orders about his #34 after she just gave out #37. She took his reciept and without saying a word began making him a sandwich herself when she couldn't find it. No one came to fill the other orders for the lobby only for the drive thru. Several employees were laughing and joking while what appeared to be playing hide and seek around the food island. The cashier started a conversation after he put the last customers ticket in the window to be filled, there were six at this point. The girl was still making the sandwich for the guy who had been waiting... Finally the cashier started filling orders around the two employees who were now running, ducking and laughing around the food island. This whole encounter, ordering and receiving my simple order, took about 25-30 minutes. Needless to say it was not worth the time and aggravation and I will carry my business and chicken craving across the street to...