The fast-growing US fried chicken chain plans to almost double its UK footprint over the year with the opening of a further 45 sites across multiple formats and channels including eat-in restaurants, drive thrus, and delivery kitchens, spanning high street units and travel hubs including rail and roadside locations.
It follows a year of ‘transformational growth’ for the business in 2024 when it opened 33 locations, sold the equivalent of one sandwich every three seconds, and delivered a 100% increase in total sales to more than £118m, equating to above £2m per week on average.
The openings will create approximately 2,500 new jobs across the UK as the business targets sales of more than £200m in 2025.
“2025 is set to be another incredibly exciting year for Popeyes UK, building on the significant successes our team generated in 2024 as we ended the year with an annual sales run rate of £150m,” says Tom Crowley, CEO of Popeyes UK.
“Our ambitious roll-out strategy - which will see us open, on average, close to one new site per week in the coming 12 months - will mean that we can bring joy to even more customers across the country, from breakfast through to late night.
“At the same time, we are looking forward to welcoming around 2,500 new team members in the year ahead to support our expansion plans, all the while continuing our clear focus on exciting menu and technology innovation.”
Popeyes opened its first UK site in London’s Stratford in November 2021 and has said previously that it is aiming to open 350 sites across the UK within 10 years.
In January last year TDR Capital took a controlling stake in Popeyes UK.
