The first CFA I remember was in Belle Promenade mall. When they first opened they would have someone standing by the store entrance giving out free samples of nuggets. That's how they got me hooked.
As for the Popeye's sandwich...I can't wait to try it, but no way would I fight the crowds some are describing. I would just wait for the hype to die down. It is definitely on my list when I return to NOLA in October.