Seven months into the COVID pandemic, Popeyes continues to see double-digit increases while Burger King crossed the positive sales threshold.
Parent company Restaurant Business International’s preliminary Q3 report showed that U.S. Popeyes stores saw a 10.2 percent increase in same-store sales in September, more than a year after the debut of its popular chicken sandwich. Systemwide, the chain lifted 9.7 percent while international locations grew 6.3 percent.
Burger King’s comp sales increased 4.8 percent across its system in September, with a 5 percent bump at domestic locations and a 4.7 percent rise internationally.
Tim Hortons remained in the red, but only slightly. Same-store sales at Canadian stores declined 1.2 percent in September while international restaurants dropped 2.7 percent. Systemwide, Tim Hortons decreased 1.4 percent.
Overall, RBI’s same-store sales dropped 5.4 percent in Q3, but increased 8.9 percent in September.
Here’s how each brand performed throughout Q3:
Burger King:
- U.S.: –3.2 percent
- International: –10.3 percent
- Systemwide: –7 percent
Popeyes:
- U.S.: 19.7 percent
- International: –0.3 percent
- Systemwide: 17.4 percent
Tim Hortons:
- Canada: –13.7 percent
- International: –3.6 percent
- Systemwide: –12.5 percent
RBI said it expects Q3 revenue to be between $1.32 billion and $1.34 billion and adjusted EBITDA to be between $555 million and $565 million. Roughly 96 percent of restaurants were open systemwide by the end of September.
THE COVID-19 ROAD FOR RBI SO FAR:
Burger King Introduces Restaurants for a Post-COVID World
Popeyes’ Next Act: Become a Global Icon
Burger King parent to close ‘several hundred’ restaurants
Burger King Gets Back to Pre-COVID Sales
Restaurant Leaders: We Must Be Part of the Solution
Popeyes, the Pandemic Proof Fast-Food Chain
Popeyes and its Chicken Sandwich are Still Soaring
How Burger King Plans to Keep Guests, Employees Safe as it Reopens
Coronavirus Crisis No Match for Popeyes’ Chicken Sandwich
Popeyes’ Sales Were Surging in Q1
Burger King Parent Advances Cash to Franchisees, Defers Rent
In August, RBI CEO Jose Cil said the company plans “several hundred more restaurants than we might in a typical year” across all three concepts in 2020. He added that RBI could reopen older restaurants in new areas and updated models.
For example, in September Burger King announced a new prototype emphasizing off-premises via mobile ordering, curbside pickup, drive-in, walkup, and drive-thru. The model also includes a suspended kitchen and dining room above the drive-thru lanes to reduce footprint.
