Popeyes sued for $1.5M over alleged foreign object in chicken

Two customers, Justin Howard and Danielle McKinnon, have filed a lawsuit seeking more than $1.5 million in damages from Popeyes and its parent company, Restaurant Brands International. The plaintiffs allege that during a meal in Houston, Texas, on July 25, 2026, Howard discovered a “condom-like foreign object” embedded inside a piece of fried chicken.

The lawsuit, filed in Harris County District Court, claims the incident caused physical nausea and significant mental anguish. The plaintiffs expressed fears regarding potential exposure to bacteria, bodily fluids, or sexually transmitted diseases. They further alleged that restaurant employees humiliated them when the issue was raised.

Popeyes has disputed the allegations, stating that internal video footage does not validate the claim. The company noted that while they found no evidence to support the incident, the franchisee issued a refund and closed the restaurant early for re-training as a precaution. The lawsuit names Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Restaurant Brands International, and franchise operator AAMANA Businesses as defendants.