Popeyes is the newest American food business to pursue British customers with its plans to develop drive-thru locations around the United Kingdom.
The chain will debut in the United Kingdom in November 2021 in the Westfield shopping center in East London. The Louisiana Kitchen has subsequently expanded to Oxford, Nottingham, and Gateshead, among others.
There are also plans for further expansion in 2023, with 20 more locations scheduled to open in the United Kingdom, increasing the total to 31.
Popeyes is the most recent American fast food company to expand its operations in the United Kingdom, following Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Wingstop in recent years.
The Caterer reports that Croydon, Cambridge, and Reading will be the next cities to receive a new Popeyes in early 2023.
In November 2021, the first Popeyes restaurant opened in the United Kingdom in the Westfield retail centre in East London, followed by restaurants in Oxford, Nottingham, and Gateshead. There are currently plans for further expansion, with the opening of 20 additional Popeyes locations in the coming year.
This will be followed by expansions in Cardiff, Rotherham, and Glasgow, as well as new Popeyes delivery kitchens.
These will be added to the existing kitchens in Maida Vale, Whitechapel, Battersea, and Bermondsey. They will be located in Dulwich and Brent Cross.
New drive-thru sites are expected to open, with the first reportedly at Rotherham’s Parkgate Shopping Park.
The current Twitter bio for the chain reads, ‘Bringing Famous Louisiana Chicken to the United Kingdom. ‘Stratford, Chelmsford, Romford, Gateshead, Oxford, Nottingham, Derby, and Ealing’
Tom Crowley, CEO of Popeyes UK, stated of the expansion, ‘There is a trend emerging at all of our launches with people queuing overnight to be the first in line on opening day.
Taco Bell is also expanding in the United Kingdom, with the launch of the first store in 2010 and the goal of opening 150 by the end of 2022.
England has the most Wingstop stores in the United Kingdom as of October 28, 2022, with 26 locations.
It’s great to see how wonderfully we are greeted throughout the entire United Kingdom.
In reference to the new drive-thru locations, he said: ‘In addition to the new high street restaurants and delivery kitchens, we’re thrilled to reveal that in 2023, we’ll be establishing a slew of drive-thru locations, with the first set to be at Parkgate Shopping Park in Rotherham.
Since our arrival in the United Kingdom, consumer demand for a drive-thru has been high, so this feels like a major milestone for us.
In 2021, the American fast-food business Wendy’s opened five company-owned restaurants in Reading, Stratford, Oxford, Croydon, and Romford, in addition to areas such as Camden.
After employing the consulting firm DC Strategy to assist in its search for a franchise, the American fast food giant is also examining opportunities to compete in Australia’s chicken market.
According to whichfranchise.com, Taco Bell has also been expanding in the United Kingdom, with the launch of its first location in 2010 and an anticipated 150 stores by the end of 2022.
The current Taco Bell UK Twitter bio states, “Yes. There is a Taco Bell in the United Kingdom.’
In a recent tweet from November 8, they also stated, “We have some news and Chesterfield, we want to talk about it with YOU! Prepare for your new shop! Now opening on November 14th.
In 2021, the American fast food brand Wendy’s opened five stores in Reading, Stratford, Oxford, Croydon, and Romford, demonstrating its ambitious expansion intentions. It opened its sixth site in Brighton on March 1, 2022.
According to the data provider ScrapeHero, there are 26 Wingstop locations in the United Kingdom as of October 28, 2022, with England having the most.