Popeyes and “Hot Ones” Heat Things Up with Sizzling Collaboration

In an exciting culinary crossover, Popeyes has joined forces with the wildly popular YouTube series “Hot Ones” to create a limited-edition menu that promises to test the limits of spice enthusiasts nationwide. Launched on September 15, this collaboration marks the first time the iconic chicken chain has partnered with the viral show known for challenging celebrities to eat increasingly spicy chicken wings while answering interview questions. The new menu draws inspiration from “Hot Ones” signature sauces, including the infamous “The Last Dab” – the show’s spiciest sauce that has humbled countless celebrities from Selena Gomez to Khloe Kardashian. As “Hot Ones” host Sean Evans aptly put it, “When you think of bold flavors and serious heat, Popeyes is right up there with Hot Ones. Bringing our worlds together for this limited-time menu, we’ve created something that’s going to test spice lovers in the most delicious way possible.”

The collaborative menu offers a carefully crafted heat progression with four distinct options to satisfy various spice tolerances. For those seeking a gentle introduction to the experience, the Sizzlin’ Sriracha Dippers provide a milder option, featuring pickled garlic sriracha-marinated Chicken Dippers complemented by a cooling buttermilk ranch dip and a Hot Ones Sriracha sachet on the side. Stepping up the intensity, the Smokin’ Rojo Sandwich delivers medium heat with a crispy chicken fillet topped with Hot Ones’ Los Calientes Rojo spread and tangy pickles, all nestled between a toasted brioche bun. These entry-level options allow customers to ease into the collaboration before tackling the more intense offerings.

For brave souls willing to venture into serious spice territory, Popeyes introduces the Darin’ Dab Ghost Wings. These classic wings – available in both bone-in and boneless varieties – come dusted with a bold ghost pepper dry rub and are served with a Hot Ones Last Dab Ranch dip cup. But the true pinnacle of heat comes with The Last Dab, Hot Ones’ most legendary and fiery sauce. Available as a sachet that can be added to any menu item for an additional dollar, this final “dab” represents the ultimate challenge for heat seekers. The versatility of The Last Dab allows customers to customize their preferred Popeyes items with the show’s signature spice experience, creating a personalized heat challenge.

The partnership creates a perfect synergy between two brands known for pushing culinary boundaries. Popeyes becomes the first and only wing brand officially highlighted on the iconic show, while “Hot Ones” extends its cultural reach beyond digital screens into fast-food locations nationwide. Bart LaCount, Chief Marketing Officer at Popeyes, emphasized this natural alignment: “Partnering with Hot Ones was a natural fit. They’re a cultural phenomenon known for pushing boundaries, and at Popeyes, we’ve built our brand on doing the same with bold flavor experiences.” This collaboration represents more than just new menu items – it transforms a viral internet challenge into an accessible experience that fans can enjoy without appearing on the show themselves.

For those wanting to experience the full range of this fiery collaboration, Popeyes offers a comprehensive Popeyes x Hot Ones bundle priced at $16.99 at participating locations. This combo package includes multiple menu items and sauces, allowing customers to create their own progressive heat challenge similar to what celebrities face on the show. The bundle format encourages sharing and creates a social dining experience where friends can compare their spice tolerances and reactions – essentially bringing the entertainment value of “Hot Ones” directly to the dining table. This interactive aspect transforms a regular fast-food visit into a memorable event, potentially driving social media sharing as customers document their spice journey.

The collaboration extends beyond just food offerings, as Popeyes will also be featured in a special “Hot Ones” reunion episode. This show will bring back previous celebrity guests like Keke Palmer to sample the new menu items, creating a promotional cycle that benefits both brands. As LaCount noted, “This limited-time menu is more than a product launch, it’s a cultural moment. By bringing the viral spice challenge straight to our guests’ tables, we’re blurring the line between entertainment and food.” This innovative approach to fast-food marketing demonstrates how brands can leverage cultural phenomena to create experiences that resonate with modern consumers who crave both novelty and authenticity. The Popeyes and “Hot Ones” collaboration ultimately serves as a masterclass in how food brands can tap into entertainment trends to create limited-time offerings that generate buzz, drive store traffic, and deliver on the promise of a truly unique dining experience that consumers can’t find anywhere else.