Food

Popeyes is coming out with a new chicken wing sauce flavor

The fast-food chicken chain is introducing a Sweet ‘n Smokey Chipotle sauce just as football season kicks off.
Sweet 'N Smokey Chipotle is the sixth sauce flavor to join Popeyes' wing menu. | Photo courtesy of Popeyes

Popeyes wants to be the wing destination for football fans all through the 2024-25 season.

So as NFL and college teams kick off this month, the Miami-based chicken chain added a new wing sauce flavor to the five it rolled out nationally last November.

Sweet ‘N Smokey Chipotle joins the lineup Monday, coating Popeyes signature hand-battered, breaded wings with smokey chipotle chilies and a hint of honey to balance out the heat. The new sauce tweaks the trendy “swicy” flavor profile with a bit of smokiness.

Football tie-ins are not new for Popeyes. The fast-food chain officially introduced the world to its wing menu with a splashy Super Bowl commercial in February, capturing the attention of millions of viewers—not just football fans. In fact, the 2024 Super Bowl was the most-watched TV program in history.

“Football is all about bringing people together, and at Popeyes, we believe that great food is at the heart of those moments,” said Bart LaCount, Chief Marketing Officer of Popeyes U.S. and Canada, in a statement. “With our new Sweet ‘N Smokey Chipotle Wings and our commitment to being The Official Wing of Watching Football, we're making it easier than ever for fans to enjoy the game with a flavor-packed spread that’s sure to be the MVP of any gathering.”

Sweet ‘N Smokey Chipotle is the newest wing flavor option in a selection that includes Sweet ‘N Spicy, Honey BBQ, Roasted Garlic Parmesan, Signature Hot, Ghost Pepper and Honey Lemon Pepper. Sweet ‘N Spicy was the first wing out of the gate, launched last August, just in time for the 2023 football season. In September, Popeyes reported that the item was the best new product introduction since the chain’s groundbreaking chicken sandwich.

But Popeyes discovered that they’re not the only ones rolling out a new sweet and smoky flavor profile this season. To keep their edge in the increasingly competitive chicken wing space, Popeyes is offering a deal to inspire wing flavor comparisons. From Aug. 26-Sept. 8, fans can score a free six-piece order of wings with a $10 minimum purchase.

The football season is just getting underway, but Popeyes has plans for more offers and activations in the months ahead to solidify the claim of being “the official wing of watching football.

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