Prime Highlights:
- Popeyes will open its 100th UK restaurant next week, marking a major growth milestone for the brand.
- The chain continues to expand quickly, driven by strong nationwide demand for its fried chicken.
Key Facts:
- Popeyes entered the UK in 2021 and has already opened 45 restaurants this year alone.
- The new London Bridge location will be the company’s 27th site in London and is part of its push into major travel hubs.
Background:
Popeyes will open its 100th UK restaurant next week, a major milestone for the fast-growing chain since it entered the market in 2021. The US fried chicken brand, backed by TDR Capital, has quickly become a familiar name on British high streets, driven by what the company describes as strong and rising demand for protein-rich food options.
The upcoming 3,000-square-foot site at London Bridge station will be the chain’s 27th location in the capital. Chief executive Tom Crowley said the brand’s growth has exceeded initial expectations, supported by a strong reception from customers nationwide.
“We’ve had success across the country as well as in London because people appreciate the authenticity of the brand,” Crowley said. “We’ve been able to grow quicker than we first anticipated, and there are still plenty of opportunities ahead.”
Popeyes has opened 45 restaurants so far this year and expects to close 2025 with around 50 new sites. Crowley said there is no formal public target for future rollouts, but he is confident the company can continue opening at its current pace. He added that opportunities remain strong not only in Greater London but across the UK.
The chain’s expansion comes as competition intensifies within the fast-food chicken sector. US brands, including Wingstop, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and Chick-fil-A, have all increased their presence in the UK. Despite this growing activity, Crowley dismissed concerns about market saturation, noting that the US has roughly twice as many chicken restaurants per capita compared with the UK.
Popeyes is now focusing more on opening restaurants in busy travel locations, and the new London Bridge outlet is part of that plan. Backing from private equity firm TDR Capital has helped the company grow faster.
Thanks to strong demand and plenty of room to expand, Popeyes believes the UK’s interest in fried chicken is still growing and far from reaching its limit.
