Cult US fast food chain Popeyes Chicken to launch in UK
The fast food chain that created a chicken sandwich that bewitched the United States, prompting think pieces and long queues wrapped around the corners of streets, has set its sights on the UK.
Popeyes chicken sandwich, first launched in 2019 caused an online frenzy, which saw a sandwich showdown between the new chicken on the block and other US fast food chains, including Chick-fil-A and Wendy's over which sandwich tastes best.
The Twitter (TWTR) jabs, which proliferated sandwich memes, drove record sales after customers who were eager to settle the war flocked to Popeyes restaurants across the US.
While, this soon turned into a logistical nightmare after Popeyes' supply chain ran out of chicken, it helped raise the stock of its parent company Restaurant Brands International (RBI).
Fast food fans were so desperate to get their hands on the popular sandwich that there were fights, death threats and one cashier got threatened at gunpoint when Popeyes sandwich sold out.
On Tuesday, the company announced it will launch in the UK this year, with the goal of opening hundreds of restaurants in the coming years as part of a European expansion plan. The first restaurant is expected to open by the end of 2021.
The company, owned by Restaurant Brands International (QSR) — which also owns Burger King and Tim Hortons — will come to the UK markets as part of a deal between its owner, PLK Europe GmbH, Ring International Holdings (RIH) and co-founder of Popeyes UK, Elias Diaz Sese.
David Shear, president international of RBI, said: “ Our UK launch will build on other successful international expansions in Spain, Switzerland, China, the Philippines and most recently in Sri Lanka. We are confident that our UK guests will love their fried chicken from Popeyes and we look forward to offering an alternative product in a major international market that we believe is ripe for disruption."
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The launch is expected to lead to major investment in market-leading talent and digital innovation and will create a new jobs, including "critical operational roles in construction, supply chain and distribution," Popeyes UK said.
Popeyes hopes to boost the the UK hospitality sector by hiring talent to prepare and serve the brand's products to UK guests.
Elias Diaz Sese, co-founder of Popeyes UK,added: “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. 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."
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Founded in New Orleans in 1972, the company has over 45 years of history and culinary tradition, priding itself with its Louisiana style menu that includes, spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, and other regional items.
Popeyes infamous "Southern-style” chicken sandwich comes with mayo (regular or spicy), thick-cut pickles, a buttery brioche bun, and a chicken breast seasoned and spiced with Popeye's traditional buttermilk batter.
The UK will be the brand’s 11th country in Europe, the Middle East and Africa region, which already has more than 350 Popeyes restaurants. Popeye's opened in Spain in 2019 and Switzerland in 2020.
In total, the company currently owns over 3,400 restaurants across 29 countries.
“We are extremely proud to bring this beloved brand to the United Kingdom. We want to become the first choice for chicken in the country by serving our guests fresh and locally sourced chicken, offering the iconic tastes and joy of Popeyes through a rich in-store and digital experience,” Andreas Hacker, CEO of RIH in Scandinavia and the UK, said.
