Megan Thee Stallion: Franchising with Popeyes

Megan Thee Stallion's partnership with Popeyes is not just a typical celebrity endorsement but a multifaceted deal — including franchise ownership, product creation, a fashion line and a philanthropic effort — that aims to disrupt the fast food industry.

“I’m appreciative of Popeyes commitment to empowering Black women and look forward to opening Popeyes restaurants,” said the musician, whose hits include “Hot Girl Summer,” in a press release. “Teaming up with Popeyes is such a milestone in my journey and evolution as an entrepreneur. I’ve always been a fan of the Popeyes brand, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to join the brand and help create the new Megan Thee Stallion Hottie Sauce for their lineup.”

The collaboration, announced in 2021, introduced the Megan Thee Stallion Hottie Sauce, which became available in the U.S. and 14 other countries, marking the first time Popeyes introduced a variation of its iconic Chicken Sandwich. It's made with honey, cider vinegar, and Aleppo pepper, designed to complement Popeyes' famous Louisiana chicken recipe.

The collaboration extended to co-branded merchandise, including three exclusive collections called Thee Heat, which include bikinis, long sleeve shirts, hats, tumblers and Popeyes chicken tenders plush dog toys.

Popeyes and Megan also announced a six-figure donation to Houston Random Acts of Kindness, a charity that promotes empathy and compassion in the community.

Notably, as part of the deal, Megan also became a multi-unit Popeyes franchise owner, signing on for a five-unit franchise development deal. While the LTO products and merchandise have long since come and gone, Megan’s stake in the brand as a franchisee is likely still growing.

Of course, she is certainly not the first celebrity to dip their toes into actual franchise ownership. Other notable examples include Shaq with Papa John’s, Jimmy Buffet with Krispy Kreme and Venus Williams with Jamba Juice.