In 2017, savvy guests discovered Sweet Dixie Kitchen, a trendy brunch spot in Long Beach, California, was serving Popeyes chicken and presenting it as their own. Owner, Kim Sanchez, was spotted walking through the front door with Popeyes bags, and it went viral overnight. People freaked out, and the backlash on social media sparked what was aptly named #POPEYESGATE.

Today, Popeyes has invited Sweet Dixie Kitchen to launch Popeyes’ newest product. Guests can try Popeyes’ biggest product launch in 30 years, the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich, at Sweet Dixie Kitchen from August 8 to 9 before it is rolled out nationally to every Popeyes restaurant on August 12.

“To be honest, I thought they were calling to sue me,” says Kim Sánchez, owner of Sweet Dixie Kitchen. “We have a long history with Popeyes, but we’ve always said Popeyes chicken is the best fried chicken we ever had. So, we are thrilled to collaborate with them to launch and serve their delicious Popeyes Chicken Sandwich.”

“We feel honored that the team at Sweet Dixie Kitchen likes our chicken so much. To acknowledge their admiration, we are granting them special access to pre-launch our new Chicken Sandwich for a few days before we launch it nationally. If you want to try it, be sure to pay them a visit on August 8 and 9. We promise our new sandwich is worth the visit,” says Bruno Cardinali, Head of Marketing for North America for the Popeyes brand.

If you want to try the new Popeyes Chicken Sandwich before it’s available nationwide, visit Sweet Dixie Kitchen, 401 East 3rd Street, Long Beach, California.

Popeyes is excited for guests across the country to try the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich nationwide on August 12. The much-anticipated sandwich includes a delicious buttermilk battered and hand breaded white meat chicken filet, served on a buttery, toasted brioche bun with two barrel cured pickles and guests’ choice of classic mayo or spicy Cajun spread.