When those sweet cravings hit, nothing satisfies quite like a rich, creamy milkshake. The perfect accompaniment to a crispy fried chicken sandwich or spicy cajun fries, milkshakes are an iconic fast food staple. So if you‘re headed to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for a southern-inspired feast, you may be wondering: does Popeyes have milkshakes on the menu to complete your meal?
As a fried chicken fanatic, dedicated foodie, and frozen treat enthusiast, I did a deep dive into Popeyes‘ drink menu to get the full scoop on their milkshake situation. I thoroughly examined menus from Popeyes locations across the United States and abroad, meticulously compared Popeyes‘ current dessert offerings to other top fast food chains, analyzed consumer trends and preferences, and even dreamed up some craveable Popeyes-inspired milkshake flavors.
So does this popular Louisiana-style quick-service restaurant serve up cool, creamy milkshakes to complement their signature crunchy chicken and flaky buttermilk biscuits? Let‘s find out.
The Current State of the Popeyes Milkshake
I hate to be the bearer of disappointing news, milkshake fans, but unfortunately Popeyes locations in the United States do not currently offer milkshakes. I scoured menus from Popeyes restaurants across the country, from California to Florida, but milk-based frozen beverages were nowhere to be found among the chain‘s offerings. The "Drinks & Sides" section of their menu features an assortment of soft drinks, brewed and bottled teas, lemonade, and fruit punch, but no ice cream treats like milkshakes, floats, or even simple scoops.
This sets Popeyes apart from many of its quick-service competitors. For example, Chick-fil-A, one of Popeyes‘ biggest rivals in the fast food fried chicken space, offers a robust selection of "Hand-Spun Milkshakes" in classic flavors like Cookies & Cream, Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla, as well as rotating seasonal varieties like the Peppermint Chip Milkshake. McDonald‘s also boasts a solid milkshake lineup that includes Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry, plus their signature McFlurry desserts with toppings like Oreo cookies and M&M candies swirled in soft-serve. Other major fast food burger chains like Burger King, Wendy‘s, and Sonic serve up an array of milkshakes too, and of course you can always count on ice cream shops like Dairy Queen and Baskin Robbins for Blizzards, milkshakes and malts in every flavor imaginable.
So why the lack of milkshakes at Popeyes when so many other fast food joints have them on the menu? As it turns out, Popeyes has never offered milkshakes at its US locations, instead choosing to focus its menu more strictly on savory items like fried chicken, shrimp, fish, sides, and sandwiches. Although the chain has expanded its offerings over time to include options like chicken nuggets, wings, and the immensely popular chicken sandwich that sparked the Great Chicken Sandwich Wars of 2019, it seems that frozen desserts and ice cream treats simply aren‘t a priority for the brand.
From an operational standpoint, Popeyes likely does not currently have the ice cream machines or other equipment needed to produce milkshakes in most of their kitchens. Adding specialized milkshake equipment would require a significant investment in both the machinery itself and employee training, which may not make sense for a chain that has found success by doing a few menu items really well. After all, Popeyes‘ straightforward menu and laser focus on Louisiana-inspired fried chicken and seafood has helped the brand grow to over 3,700 locations across the globe.
Consumer demand could be another factor in the great Popeyes milkshake mystery. While it‘s clear that milkshakes have mass appeal, perhaps Popeyes customers just aren‘t clamoring for them. Popeyes‘ diners may be heading to the chain specifically to satisfy their cravings for the brand‘s signature Cajun-seasoned chicken, pillowy biscuits, and zesty sides like red beans and rice. In fact, Popeyes is so specialized in its offerings that the chain only added chicken nuggets to its national menu in 2021, decades behind competitors like McDonald‘s and Burger King who have long featured nuggets. If Popeyes‘ guests are squarely focused on the savory stars of the menu, the costs and challenges of adding milkshakes to the lineup may not be worth it from a business perspective.
It‘s also possible that market research and internal sales data simply don‘t support introducing milkshakes at Popeyes. The chain does occasionally offer sweet treats like Cinnamon Apple Pie, Mardi Gras Cheesecake, and Chocolate Beignets on a limited time basis, but the longevity of these items is likely dependent on customer reception and profitability. Perhaps those desserts haven‘t sold well enough to stay on the permanent menu, making Popeyes hesitant to invest in milkshakes. Industry sales data shows that while the average quick-service restaurant earns 5-10% of its revenue from desserts, chicken chains tend to see a much lower percentage, indicating that consumers may just be less likely to order dessert with their chicken combo than with burgers and fries.
Of course, all of this discussion of why Popeyes locations don‘t have milkshakes is pure speculation based on industry trends and analysis. Only Popeyes‘ executive leadership team and product developers know the real rationale behind their menu decisions. But while getting the inside scoop directly from Popeyes HQ would be ideal, the lack of insider info doesn‘t make the question any less fascinating for this restaurant industry enthusiast to ponder!
Similar Popeyes Menu Items to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
But don‘t despair, dessert devotees – even without milkshakes, there are still some sweet treats to be found at select Popeyes locations if you know where to look. Peruse the limited "Desserts" section of their menu and you just might find one of these regional offerings to get your sugar fix:
Chocolate Beignets: A nod to Popeyes‘ New Orleans roots, these deep-fried pastries are filled with gooey Hershey‘s chocolate sauce and topped with a generous dusting of powdered sugar. We have a feeling these decadent pillows would pair perfectly with a chocolate milkshake for the ultimate sweet and rich combo, but they‘re definitely still delicious on their own.
Mardi Gras Cheesecake: Another limited time offering designed to celebrate Popeyes‘ NOLA heritage, this Cajun twist on a classic dessert features New York-style cheesecake decked out in festive purple, green and gold sugar crystals inspired by the colors of Mardi Gras. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Cinnamon Apple Pie: One of the only desserts to occasionally make an appearance at Popeyes locations outside of Louisiana, this Southern spin on an American classic wraps sweet cinnamon apples in a flaky handheld pie crust. While not as refreshing as a milkshake, this baked treat will still satisfy your sweet tooth after a meal of spicy chicken.
So while a thick, frosty milkshake may not be on the menu at your neighborhood Popeyes, you do have a few options for ending your meal on a sweet note if you happen upon one of these regional desserts. And hey, you can always grab an ice cold lemonade, iced tea, or soda to wash down your chicken combo and imagine the flavors of that cool beverage blended into a creamy shake.
Popeyes Milkshake Offerings at International Locations
Here‘s a fun fact that might surprise American Popeyes fans: while milkshakes are absent from Popeyes menus in the US, some international outposts of the fast food chain actually do offer them. A peek at the Popeyes UK website reveals a "Shakes" section featuring hand-spun milkshakes in classic flavors like Oreo, Lotus Biscoff, Strawberry and Chocolate Hazelnut.
At Popeyes Singapore, customers can sip on Gula Melaka and Banana Chocolate shakes, while some Latin American and Asian Popeyes locations serve up unique flavors like matcha, papaya, mango and guava. It‘s interesting that milkshakes have made the menu at these international locations but not at restaurants in Popeyes‘ home country.
This is likely due to differences in consumer preferences, dessert trends, and competitive fast food markets in various regions of the world. For instance, matcha flavored desserts and beverages are wildly popular in many east Asian countries like China and Japan, so offering a matcha milkshake at Popeyes locations in those markets makes sense to appeal to local tastes. Meanwhile, the UK has seen a surge in the popularity of speculoos cookies and desserts featuring the flavor in recent years, so adding a Lotus Biscoff milkshake to the menu at Popeyes UK is a smart way to capitalize on that trend.
The inclusion of milkshakes at international Popeyes restaurants could also be a response to the specific competitive landscape in those markets. If rival fast food chains in Singapore are serving up super-trendy mango milkshakes, for example, Popeyes may feel pressure to offer their own version to capture a piece of that market share. Or perhaps the costs and logistics of adding milkshakes to the menu are more favorable in certain countries than in the US.
It will be interesting to see if the popularity of milkshakes at Popeyes international locations eventually influences the chain‘s US milkshake strategy. If the shakes sell well in Latin America, Asia, and the UK, perhaps Popeyes USA will take note and consider adding the frozen treats to their menus stateside. After all, fried chicken and milkshakes are a match made in comfort food heaven.
The Dream Popeyes Milkshake Menu
The lack of milkshakes at Popeyes is clearly a missed opportunity, so let‘s take a moment to dream up the ultimate lineup of Popeyes-inspired shakes that blend the chain‘s signature Louisiana flavors with classic ice cream shoppe treats. If Popeyes‘ product development team is reading this, take note – these craveable shakes are guaranteed best-sellers!
Biscoff Banana Pudding Shake: Popeyes‘ Banana Pudding Parfait was a beloved limited time offering that combined creamy banana pudding, vanilla wafers, and whipped cream for a Southern dessert experience in a cup. Bring this fan favorite treat back in milkshake form by blending luscious banana pudding with vanilla ice cream and crumbled Biscoff cookies for a shake that pays homage to an iconic Popeyes dish.
Mardi Gras King Cake Shake: Transport customers to Bourbon Street during Carnival with a milkshake version of the classic Mardi Gras King Cake. Start with a cinnamon ice cream base, then mix in colorful sanding sugars in the green, purple, and gold hues of the Mardi Gras flag. Blend in chunks of tender pastry for some soft, doughy texture, then top the whole thing off with a dusting of powdered sugar and festive sprinkles. Bonus points if you serve it with a tiny plastic baby on the side in keeping with King Cake tradition!
Honey Butter Biscuit Shake: People go crazy for Popeyes‘ fluffy, decadent Honey Butter Biscuits, so why not capitalize on the buttery, sweet flavor combination in milkshake form? Steep Popeyes biscuit crumbs in ice cream to infuse that toasty, buttermilk biscuit essence throughout the base. Spike the ice cream with a touch of honey and brown sugar for some caramel-y sweetness, then load the blender up with even more biscuit chunks for the perfect marriage of creamy and crumbly textures. You‘ll want to dip your chicken tenders AND your fries into this one-of-a-kind shake!
Red Beans & Rice Shake: Okay, hear us out on this wild idea. Popeyes‘ Red Beans and Rice is one of their most popular side dishes, with a rich, savory flavor that keeps loyal fans coming back for more. While beans and rice may not be typical milkshake fare, we have a feeling the salty, meaty taste of this Cajun staple would pair shockingly well with a sweet ice cream base. To make it, simmer Popeyes‘ red beans down until super thick and concentrated in flavor, then strain out the liquid and mix the beans into a vanilla milkshake base. The result is a sweet and savory shake unlike anything else out there – don‘t knock it ‘til you‘ve tried it!
The Bottom Line on Milkshakes at Popeyes
So there you have it milkshake fans, the full scoop on whether Popeyes locations in the US serve up this classic frozen treat. While you sadly won‘t find creamy, dreamy milkshakes on Popeyes menus in the States for now, you can still occasionally score sweet treats like chocolate beignets, Cinnamon Apple Pie, and Mardi Gras Cheesecake at select locations – and washing them down with an ice cold lemonade or sweet tea is never a bad idea.
For a true taste of Popeyes milkshake mania, you‘ll have to book a trip to the UK, Singapore, or Latin America to sip on one of their region-exclusive shakes in far-out flavors like Lotus Biscoff, Banana Chocolate, and Guava.
And if you‘re really craving a creamy shake to pair with your spicy Popeyes chicken sandwich, you can always hit up another fast food joint or ice cream shoppe for a frosty treat to enjoy alongside your Cajun combo.
As a restaurant industry insider and devoted Popeyes fan, my take is that America‘s Popeyes locations are seriously missing out by not offering milkshakes, especially in craveable flavors inspired by their signature dishes. Would an ice cold Mardi Gras King Cake Shake or Honey Butter Biscuit Milkshake not be the perfect accompaniment to a big box of Popeyes fried chicken and a side of red beans and rice? In my milkshake-loving opinion, the answer is a resounding yes.
Here‘s hoping that one day soon, Popeyes USA surprises and delights all of us by adding a line of decadent Louisiana-inspired milkshakes to their menus nationwide. I, for one, will be first line to order a Biscoff Banana Pudding Shake with my spicy chicken sandwich, getting the best of both the sweet and savory sides of Popeyes in a single, satisfying order.
But for now, I suppose an ice cold strawberry lemonade alongside a 3-piece dinner will have to suffice. I can live with that!
Key Takeaways: Does Popeyes Have Milkshakes?
- As of 2023, US Popeyes locations do not serve milkshakes, focusing their dessert menu on items like Chocolate Beignets, Cinnamon Apple Pie and Mardi Gras Cheesecake instead
- Some international Popeyes restaurants, including those in the UK, Asia and Latin America, do offer milkshakes in unique and classic flavors
- Popeyes USA likely doesn‘t serve milkshakes due to their menu focus on savory items, lack of ice cream equipment, and lower dessert sales at chicken-focused fast food chains
- Imagining Popeyes-inspired milkshake flavors like a Mardi Gras King Cake shake or a Honey Butter Biscuit shake underscores the missed opportunity for the chain to capitalize on the popularity of milkshakes and its signature dishes
- To satisfy a milkshake craving with your Popeyes meal, grab an ice cold lemonade, sweet tea or soft drink to sip on alongside your fried chicken combo
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