Credit: Unsplash

Now that’s what I call southern comfort.

Popeyes has been trying to get a little more creative with their offerings recently to appear more enticing to customers. I’m sure we all recall that big fuss about the chicken sandwich last year, so they’ve definitely got their chicken on lockdown, but they’re looking to branch out a little. Their current approach is to diversify their desserts menu a bit, as their only permanent dessert is a cinnamon apple pie. Tasty, but not especially interesting. Since Popeyes’ brand is centered around Louisiana cooking, the best course of action must be a classic New Orleans dessert: beignets.

Starting today, all Popeyes locations will be selling beignets, delicious deep-fried pastries stuffed with Hershey’s chocolate. These powdered sugar-covered delights will be sold in three, six, and twelve-packs for a limited time, presumably for the duration of the holiday season. Popeyes ran a down-low test on these beignets in a few of their locations in the northeastern United States, and apparently the reception was quite good. Not that surprising since, y’know, beignets. What’s not to like?

Popeyes to launch beignets nationwide for limited time as it doubles down on dessert https://t.co/x0dcTF9L1j

— CNBC (@CNBC) December 14, 2020

Sami Siddiqui, president of Popeyes’ US operations, is optimistic about the beignets, though he’s keeping his expectations measured. After all, it would take nothing short of the greatest food ever made to beat out the chicken sandwich, which has provided Popeyes with double-digit same-store sales growth every quarter since its introduction.

“I’ve been in [the fast-food industry] for almost a decade now, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like the chicken sandwich across any brand, so I don’t know if I want to set expectations that high,” said Siddiqui.

Incidentally, if anyone from Popeyes corporate is reading this, if you’re taking suggestions for more Louisiana desserts, I would love a bite-size king cake. Just throwing that out there.