Popeyes UK is on the cusp of significant expansion as the renowned fried chicken chain announces plans to launch 45 new restaurants across the country throughout 2025. This move is part of Popeyes’ larger strategy to become one of the leading fast-food brands in the UK, following the recent success of the brand since its entry.
Since first opening its doors at Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford back in 2021, Popeyes has rapidly expanded its footprint, already boasting 60 locations across the UK. According to Tom Crowley, CEO of Popeyes UK, the chain’s expansion endeavors are fueled by soaring customer demand, talented workforce aspirations, and its famed menu featuring the 'shatter crunch' chicken and viral chicken sandwich.
“Our ambitious rollout strategy - which will see us open, on average, close to one new site per week in the coming 12 months - will mean we can bring joy to even more customers across the country,” stated Crowley. The CEO confirmed this will include areas they are currently established such as Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Birmingham, London, Liverpool, and reaching out to locations across Scotland.
Details surrounding the exact locations and opening dates are still being finalized, especially for Bristol, which will welcome its first branch this year. While no specific opening date has been confirmed, it is suggested the new site will be placed strategically within the city center, potentially within the first few months of 2025.
This expansion follows on the heels of Popeyes’ fruitful 2024, where the brand opened 64 new sites and significantly increased its customer base. Over the past year, sales figures have skyrocketed, with the fast-food chain selling the equivalent of one chicken sandwich every three seconds, achieving total sales exceeding £118 million.
“Belfast is an amazing market for us, and wherever we’ve opened we’ve seen a similar reaction to the brand, which gives us confidence to keep going,” Crowley added, pointing to the favorable consumer reception.
The fast-food chain plans to open new locations under various formats to boost accessibility for their products. These will include not only traditional sit-down restaurants, but also drive-thru options and delivery kitchens positioned at travel hubs and high street units.
With plans to create approximately 2,500 new jobs, Popeyes aims to reinforce its commitment to supporting the local economy. The company’s overarching goal is to achieve sales more than £200 million by the end of 2025, marking another ambitious milestone as the chain sets forth on its expansion mission.
Alongside its growth strategy, Popeyes is also committed to menu innovation and technology enhancement, focusing on the flavors and experiences customers can enjoy. Recently, the brand introduced the Savin’ Menu, meant to deliver tasty options at competitive prices.
Popeyes is not the only fast-food brand ramping up plans for the UK market, as other chains like Carl’s Jr. and KFC announce their own expansion strategies. Nevertheless, with its unique offerings and strong customer engagement, Popeyes is positioning itself as one of the fastest-growing players within the fast food industry.
The future looks bright for Popeyes UK, with exciting developments on the horizon, bridging communities through gastronomic delight and job opportunities. It seems Luca Richmond's love for fried chicken might just be multiplied as the iconic brand continues its rise across the British Isles.