Popeyes, the beloved fried chicken chain with roots in New Orleans, has set sail on a new culinary adventure, launching its first-ever anime collaboration with Toei Animation’s legendary ONE PIECE franchise. This limited-time partnership, which kicked off on April 13, 2026, has rolled out a special menu and immersive experiences across select locations in both Canada and the United States, aiming to unite anime enthusiasts and fast-food fans alike in a celebration of flavor and fandom.
“At Popeyes, we’re always looking for bold ways to show up for our fans,” said Matt Harper, Senior Director of Marketing for Popeyes Canada, in a statement released by the company. “Partnering with Toei Animation lets us tap into ONE PIECE, a global phenomenon that shares our passion, energy and sense of adventure. We’ve brought together the iconic world of this beloved series with the unmistakable flavour of Popeyes to create a limited-time experience that fans across Canada won’t want to miss.”
The collaboration comes at a time when Popeyes is seeking to turn around recent negative sales trends. According to Restaurant Business, the chain’s executives are shifting their focus back to core products after a period of heavy promotions in 2025, which included Chicken Dippers and a Pickles Menu. While these generated plenty of buzz, they didn’t lead to sustained sales or repeat visits. Josh Kobza, CEO of parent company Restaurant Brands International, told analysts, “You’re probably going to see us shift back a bit of that focus to some of our more core platforms. I think that’s what’s going to drive the turnaround. If you go back over the last few years, we grew our same-store sales tremendously when we focused on the core and got things right.”
This new menu, inspired by the swashbuckling adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew, features several themed items. The Luffy Bento Bundle is front and center, priced at $13.99 in the U.S. and $9.99 in Canada. It includes two pieces of Popeyes’ signature chicken, mac & cheese, and a Gum-Gum Fruit Lemonade—a nod to the fantastical fruit that gives Luffy his powers in the anime—along with Chopper’s Cupcake, inspired by the crew’s lovable doctor. For those seeking a simpler meal, the Luffy Bento Box offers two pieces of chicken and mac & cheese for $7.99. The Gum-Gum Fruit Lemonade is available à la carte for $3.49, while Chopper’s Cupcake can be purchased separately for $3.99 in the U.S. or $4 in Canada. Prices may vary by location.
To mark the anime’s influence, Popeyes has transformed its flagship restaurant at 273 Yonge St. in Toronto into an immersive ONE PIECE experience, complete with iconic moments and themed décor. This special takeover will run until April 27, 2026, offering fans a rare chance to step into the world of ONE PIECE while enjoying their meal. But it doesn’t stop there—on April 13, select Popeyes locations in major U.S. cities, including New York, Boston, New Jersey, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami, are giving away official ONE PIECE Bento Boxes to lucky guests who purchase the Luffy Bento Bundle. The excitement is palpable, with fans encouraged to show up early and share their adventures online.
For collectors and die-hard fans, a limited collection of Popeyes x ONE PIECE merchandise will be available starting April 15 at shop.popeyes.com. The collection includes collectible keychains, T-shirts, and Bento Boxes, further blurring the lines between pop culture and fast food. According to new data from Lightspeed, nearly 20% of hospitality businesses now sell branded merchandise, with some reporting that merch accounts for as much as 11%—and in rare cases, up to 27%—of their monthly revenue. Popeyes seems keen to ride this wave, hoping that the ONE PIECE collaboration will not only boost sales but also deepen its cultural footprint.
Matt Rubin, Chief Marketing Officer for Popeyes, captured the spirit of the campaign in his statement: “For ONE PIECE fans, the story is about adventure, loyalty, and going all-in for the things you love. This energy perfectly aligns with Popeyes and comes to life throughout this partnership with Toei Animation. We set out to create a collaboration that brings our bold flavors into the world of ONE PIECE and its anime fandom—the kind of meal you’d want before setting sail for the Grand Line.” He added, “Inspired by some of our favorite moments from the iconic ONE PIECE franchise, we infused the experience with signature Popeyes flavor. Whether you’re a longtime fan of ONE PIECE and Popeyes or discovering both for the first time, this collaboration is designed to bring that spirit of adventure to life.”
The timing certainly seems right. ONE PIECE, created by Eiichiro Oda and animated by Toei Animation, has become a global phenomenon since its debut on Japanese television in 1999. The series has surpassed 1,000 episodes and has been translated into more than 40 languages, reaching audiences in over 60 countries. The franchise boasts 15 feature films, multiple video games, a trading card game, and an ever-expanding catalog of licensed merchandise and location-based entertainment. According to Restaurant Business, ONE PIECE recently surpassed $600 million in sales, cementing its place as one of the most successful and enduring anime franchises in history.
Popeyes, for its part, has over 50 years of history and culinary tradition, with more than 4,000 restaurants worldwide. The chain is known for its New Orleans-style menu and passion for Louisiana heritage, which it hopes will resonate with the adventurous spirit of ONE PIECE fans. By focusing on its signature chicken and classic sides, Popeyes aims to recapture the magic that fueled its previous growth, while leveraging the power of a beloved pop culture icon to attract new customers and spark renewed enthusiasm among existing ones.
Fans across Canada and the United States have only a limited window to experience this unique crossover. The special menu and themed experiences are available at select locations, and with the immersive Toronto restaurant closing its doors to the ONE PIECE world on April 27, time is of the essence. Whether you’re a die-hard anime devotee, a Popeyes loyalist, or just someone looking for a little adventure with your meal, this collaboration promises a taste of something truly special.
With bold flavors, exclusive merchandise, and a nod to one of the most enduring stories in modern pop culture, the Popeyes x ONE PIECE partnership is more than just a marketing move—it’s a celebration of adventure, community, and the joy of discovery. For a limited time, at least, fans can savor the spirit of the Grand Line with every bite.