Popeyes to launch in the UK by end of 2021

Over 350 UK sites are planned for the US fried chicken franchise, to open over the next 10 years

Popeyes has announced plans to launch its first location in the UK by the end of 2021, with more than 350 restaurants planned to open over the next decade, according to Bloomberg.

“We are very pleased to launch Popeyes, a brand that has brought moments of celebration to guests globally, something we believe is important more now than ever,” said Elias Diaz Sese, co-founder of Popeyes UK.

“It allows us to contribute in hardship moments for the country by creating hundreds of career opportunities. We truly aspire to become an employer of reference for big-hearted talent through care, service, and supporting the neighbourhoods in which we operate.”

Currently, details on where the first Popeyes UK location will be are unknown, with the brand playing its cards close to its chest. However, this announcement is yet another in a string of development plans for Popeyes, with further expansions planned for countries like India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the parent company of Popeyes, also owns Burger King and Tim Hortons. The latter announced ongoing UK development back in October 2020, with new locations creating upward of 2,000 new jobs. At that time, chief executive Jose Cil was cautiously optimistic about the organisation’s future plans – plans which now seem to be in motion.

“We cannot predict exactly when the dust will settle,” said Cil, “but we’re confident that we will be well-positioned to capitalise on opportunities for growth as we emerge from the crisis and continue toward the 40,000 restaurant goal we talked about last year.”

Popeyes is of course not the only major US food franchise eyeing UK growth in 2021, with square-burger icon Wendy’s announcing similar news at the beginning of the year.