It started with a hot sauce collaboration between Megan Thee Stallion and Popeyes, but hasn’t ended there. Popeyes has announced a major collaboration that will involve the release of a new sauce, Megan Thee Stallion Hottie Sauce, alongside co-branded merchandise as part of a limited-edition collection. The sauce will spice up the chicken sandwich and nuggets in the U.S. and fourteen other countries.
The brand will also be dropping its first of three exclusive collections, Thee Heat, on October 19, 12 PM EDT.
The pop star hasn’t stopped there, she will also become a Popeyes Chicken franchisee. As part of the larger collaboration, Popeyes and Megan will be making a six-figure donation to Houston Random Acts of Kindness, whose mission is to promote empathy and compassion in the Houston community.
“I’m appreciative of Popeyes’ commitment to empowering Black women and look forward to opening Popeyes Restaurants,” said Megan Thee Stallion.
“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 line-up.”
Made with honey, cider vinegar, and Aleppo pepper, Megan Thee Stallion worked closely with the brand’s culinary team. It will be offered on the chicken sandwich and feature as a dipping sauce for the brand’s chicken nuggets. The sauce will appear on the menu from October 19 onwards.
“Popeyes one-of-a-kind partnership with Megan Thee Stallion goes well beyond the average marketing collaboration. We are unifying two pop culture icons, and Megan’s innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial vision is at the core of everything we’re doing,” says Sami Siddiqui, president of Popeyes Americas.
“For the first time ever, we are changing our famous Chicken Sandwich to add a sauce that was custom-made with and for Megan. We are launching three new lines of merchandise designed by Megan to capture her one-of-a-kind style.
“And, more than that, we are thrilled to welcome Megan to the Popeyes franchisee family and look forward to working closely with her over many years as she begins her journey as a restaurateur.”
The first collection of the Popeyes x Megan Thee Stallion merch will feature long-sleeve shirts, hats, bikinis, tumblers and Popeyes chicken tenders plush dog toys. Two further releases will drop in November, and worked in collaboration with creative partners, Harper & Scott.
“What can we say – we wanted to create the HOTTEST partnership of the year,” says Bruno Cardinali, chief marketing officer for Popeyes.
“We have a lot in common with Megan Thee Stallion—from our southern roots, to our shared love for flavor with a lot of spice, she embodies the proud, spirited, joyful and big-hearted personality we embrace with our food and heritage.”
While Pizza Hut did not collaborate with any celebrities, merchandise and exclusive collection marketing appears to be growing in the world of food and beverage. Read about Popeye’s U.K. expansion here.
