Popeyes 4 with Van Robichaux

"Popeyes 4 with Van Robichaux" is Episode 346 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell. "Popeyes 4 with Van Robichaux" was released on April 21, 2022.

## Synopsis

Van Robichaux (*Brooklyn Nine-Nine*, *Fist Fight*) joins the 'boys to discuss Jacques-Imo's and Postmates robots before a review of Popeyes. Plus, the 'boys give up treats they hold dear in the return of My Snackrifice.

## Nick's intro

Subway, McDonald's, Starbucks, Yum! Brands (aka. KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell): these are, respectively, the world's four largest fast-food companies.

The fifth? Restaurant Brands International, a Toronto-based holding company that has its origin in the 2014 arranged marriage of stalwart Canadian coffee-and-donut shop, Tim Horton's and American Whopper-purveyor, Burger King (aka. "McDonald's' Pepsi").

In 2017, this new fiefdom further grew its territory by acquiring the second-largest U.S. fried-chicken chain founded in Louisiana in 1972 by eccentric entrepreneur Al Copeland. In 1975, the restaurant had rebranded with a name Copeland claimed was inspired by Gene Hackman's character in the hit film, *The French Connection* - though that seemed conveniently designed to evade a copyright\* claim via the beloved spinach-chugging cartoon sailor man.

And in 2019, after becoming enmeshed in the RBI empire, the poultry chain launched its own chicken sandwich designed as a Chick-fil-A killer; an event that would prove this past decade's most seismic event in fast food. The resulting long tail of copycat chicken sandos even led Burger King to launch its own breaded-bird-in-a-bun varietal, speaking to the surreal late-capitalist dystopia where corporate partners under the same ownership ostensibly compete for market share.

In 2021, Restaurant Brands International grew once more, sucking up sandwich shop, Firehouse Subs, like a conglomerate Kirby.

But as companies combine into a handful of corporate entities, themselves owned by an even-smaller handful of investment firms, can they retain the unique identities that made them so valuable in the first place?

This week on Doughboys, we return once again, to Popeyes.

[\**should be 'trademark.'* -ed.]

## Fork rating

The Doughboys have reviewed Popeyes three previous times. The first time, back in 2016, Nick gave it 4.5 forks and Mitch 3.5. A few years later in 2018, they returned to try the then-new Chicken Sandwich, and both Nick and Mitch gave the restaurant 5 forks and it made the Golden Plate Club. They tried it again in 2021, and once more Nick and Mitch gave it 5 forks, but it was removed from the Golden Plate Club regardless.

Popeyes also made a deep run in the **2017 Tournament of Chompions: Chicken Fight**, when it defeated Church's and KFC (in the Full Bird region), then lost to McDonald's in the Semi-finals (but with some weird technicalities, Popeyes advanced anyway). In the Finals, it came in second to Wendy's.

* 8Pc Nuggets
	+ Sweet Heat Sauce
* Red Beans & Rice
* Wildberry Beignets
 Mike Mitchell
* Frozen Premium Lemonade
* Spicy Flounder Fish Sandwich
* Classic Flounder Fish Sandwich
* Spicy Chicken Sandwich Combo
	+ Mashed Potatoes with Cajun Gravy
* 1/4 lb Popcorn Shrimp Combo
	+ Regular Cajun Fries
* two 8Pc Nuggets
	+ Sweet Heat Sauce
	+ Wild Honey Mustard
* Red Beans & Rice
* Homestyle Mac & Cheese
 Van Robichaux
* Red Beans & Rice
* Beignets
 James, the Tech Guy

James, the Tech Guy offered his Popeyes score, but Nick ignores it and places Popeyes in the Platinum Plate Club. He also puts on the **Doughboys Lock**, permanently setting Popeyes in the Platinum Plate Club and it cannot be removed.

## My Snackrifice 2

The Doughboys next do their second annual My Snackrifice episode. The first was in this episode.

We got some snacks
Where should we begin?
Maybe some Funyons
On second thought, let's play a game
A waste of time, something truly lame
For the podcast!
Cheetos or Cheez-Its!
Choose one!
Let's eliminate a snack for fun
Then we can't eat it
For months
This adds years to my life
My snackrifice

We've had our shares of chips and dips
Drank some Dr. Peppers and Mr. Pibbs
Two funny sodas!
But now we have to choose between
A Skittles lentil or a jellybean
This shit ain't easy!
Coke or Pepsi!
Choose one!
We'll eliminate drinks for fun
Then we can't chug 'em
For months
I bet Wiges hopes I don't choose cum
His favorite drink

I just want to eat some Nerds again
I just want to drink some Sprites again

Fritos or Doritos
Choose one
Let's eliminate snacks for fun
Then we can't eat 'em
For months
This adds years to our lives
Ketchup or mustard
Choose one!
Then you can't squeeze it in your bun
That's how the game works
It's bad!
Now the listeners all feel sad
This podcast sucks
This podcast sucks
I just want to move back home again
I just want to move back to Quincy again!
Our snackrifice

They Doughboys decide which food item they have to avoid for six months (until Mitch's birthday). The potato snackrifice lasts until 2023.

* McDonald's Chicken McNuggets
* Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwich
* Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich
 potatoes
* baked potatoes
* mashed potatoes
* fries
 Healthy Protein
* yogurt
* almonds/Allman Brothers
* eggs
 Dips
* salsa
* quacamole/rock music
* hummus

## Notable Moments

* This episode contains the first ever mistake by Emma Erdbrink.
* Bug Mane (aka. Mr. Slap) arrives at Mitch's to deliver his message and a gift bag (and slap some stuff).

## Quotes

**Nick**: One of my issues is you're weird!

## The Feedbag

 Mike Mitchell
 Van Robichaux

## Photos

8Pc NuggetsClassic Flounder SandwichClassic Chicken SandwichMashed Potatoes with Cajun GravyKetchup, Sweet Heat Sauce, Wild Honey MustardHomestyle Mac & Cheese1/4 Lb. Popcorn ShrimpPopeyes