Popeyes takes huge swipe at McDonald's with free chicken wraps

The semi-retired cartoon character Popeye was known for choking down a can of spinach before putting up his dukes, and it seems the chicken chain of a similar name isn’t afraid of a scrap either.

Not only did Popeyes announce its own chicken wrap while McDonald’s was laying the groundwork for the return of its own Snack Wrap at US locations, the chicken-focused fast food chain is raining on the re-launch parade too.

Popeyes launched its Chicken Wrap earlier this year (Popeyes)

Snack Wraps are back on the menu as of 10 July 2025, and in a somewhat backhanded celebration Popeyes has announced that customers can get a free Popeyes Chicken Wrap from 10 July to 13 July at its US restaurants.

Popeyes’ take on the chicken wrap usually goes for $3.99 and featured hand-breaded chicken tenders, lettuce, shredded cheese, and warm pickles.

McDonald’s US Snack Wrap, meanwhile, features McCrispy Strips, lettuce, cheese, and a choice of either Spicy or Ranch sauces.

Fans have been disappointed, however, that the returned Snack Wrap doesn’t contain Chicken Selects like the original did. The UK’s Snack Wrap still uses Selects too, and some fans feel the McCrispy Strips are of a lower quality.

With that in mind, Popeyes could snatch the red carpet out from under the Snack Wraps, with its hefty chicken tenders having the potential to fill a hole that the returning McDonald’s favourite can’t fill.

"The Wrap Wars are officially on and Popeyes is way ahead of the game," Popeyes told People by email.

It continued: "While one familiar fast food chain scrambles to launch wraps of their own on July 10, Popeyes has already been serving up heat all summer long.

"Now, we’re turning up the heat even more and opening the Wrap Battle to everyone.”

The US return of the Snack Wrap has been long-awaited (McDonald's)

Popeyes called McDonald’s out earlier this year, too.

"We hear the OG wrap is making a return on July 10… Why the change in date? Seems like they might have been nervous sizing up to Popeyes," said Popeyes in a statement seen by People.

"But let’s be real, YOU don’t want to wait until then and once YOU try a Popeyes Chicken Wrap, there’s no going back.”

Let’s see whose wrap comes out on top.