Tom Crowley named as Popeyes UK chief executive
Crowley will be responsible for the brand’s UK expansion, with plans to open 350 sites over the next 10 years. A potential flagship site in London is in the offing.
He brings more than 20 years’ experience leading UK pub, casual dining and QSR brands - more recently, as managing director at Giraffe Concepts and CEO of Boparan Restaurant Group.
“I’m thrilled with the opportunity to launch the globally renowned Popeyes brand into the dynamic UK market. I believe we have a truly disruptive proposition rooted in authentic Louisiana culture that will really resonate with UK guests,” he says.
“This last year has been incredibly hard on the hospitality industry and I’m pleased that Popeyes will be able to contribute to the industry’s recovery with our ambitious goals for the UK.
“Popeyes is a very special brand and I am very excited about what we can achieve over the next 10 years and beyond.”
Popeyes was founded in 1972 in New Orleans and made its first move outside of the US in 1984 with a restaurant in Toronto, Canada. It now operates more than 3,000 restaurants.
The chain’s first UK restaurant is expected to open by the end of 2021 and will represent the brand’s 11th country in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region in which it operates.
