Petition: Save last Popeyes buffet in existence from closure due to COVID pressures

The internet is rallying to save the last Popeyes buffet in the world.

The future of the last Popeyes buffet — which has become a landmark for spicy fried chicken lovers and an emblem of the popularity of the chicken sandwich — is up in the air.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 500 people had signed a Change.org petition.

The Popeyes location in Lafayette has been revered in food circles for years. During a trip to Louisiana, Anthony Bourdain, the late star of "Parts Unknown," dined at the location for three days in a row.

Culinary history: Louisiana gave turduckens, fried turkeys to the world. You're welcome

The Popeyes in Louisiana is considered to be the last Popeyes buffet in existence, but the buffet has been closed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There have been whispers for months that the famed buffet may not return once the pandemic ends — and Hot 107.9 reported Wednesday that a worker said it would not — but a spokesperson for Popeyes said the restaurant had not made a decision on the long-term future of the buffet.

Southern Kitchen: All the ways fried chicken can go wrong — and how to do it right

"The buffet has been closed due to COVID restrictions and the restaurant has not yet made a decision as to whether or not they will reopen the buffet," said Mollie Birer, a spokesperson for the restaurant chain, in an email.

The Pinhook location did not respond to calls for comment.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Petition: Save last Popeyes buffet from closure due to COVID