Popeyes To Open First Sit-Down Restaurant In UK

American fried chicken chain Popeyes has announced it will open its very first sit-down restaurant in the UK, promising to ‘shake up’ the nation’s chicken game. 

Founded in 1972 in Louisiana, Popeyes is famous for its fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, with handspun milkshakes and ice cream sundaes also on the popular menu. 

The chain first launched in the UK last November with a takeaway outlet at Westfield Stratford’s food court. 

But now Popeyes will be opening its doors as a sit-down restaurant with a new branch in Chelmsford, Essex. 

A post on its website says: “We’re shaking up the UK chicken game, Louisiana style! Sure, we took our time getting here, but some things are worth the wait. Like our famous 100% Fresh British Chicken marinated for 12 hours in our signature blend of Louisiana herbs & spices. Then breaded and battered by hand to create that famous Popeyes shatter crunch texture.” 

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The restaurant will be located on Chelmsford’s High Street, with plans to open hundreds of sites across the UK over the next decade. 

Tom Crowley, CEO at Popeyes UK, said: "We’ve been blown away by the UK’s response to Popeyes, with guests queuing for hours to try it. Our legendary menu and Southern spirit have captured the capital already, and we look forward to building on that with the launch of Chelmsford. 

"Chelmsford was the perfect place for our first sit-down restaurant; it’s close to London but sits at the very heart of Essex, which is such a vibrant part of the UK with a close-knit community. 

"The team is really excited to open; we already know guests love the food, but now we have the opportunity to really showcase our Louisiana hospitality too." 

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Peter Genna, Director of Global Culinary Innovation and Product Development for Popeyes Brand, added: "It’s exciting to be opening the first UK restaurant in Chelmsford. Popeyes UK has ambitious plans to rapidly become a British staple and to never compromise on the quality that Popeyes is famous for. We have no doubt that Chelmsford guests will love Popeyes famous Louisiana chicken." 

Popeyes UK has also launched delivery kitchens in Battersea and Whitechapel with Deliveroo Editions as part of its ongoing expansion plans - which are expected to generate hundreds of new jobs across the UK.