Popeyes UK has unveiled ambitious plans to open nearly one site per week throughout 2025, aiming to double its nationwide footprint.
The US fried chicken brand launched its first London site in November 2021 and now operates 65 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, following the opening of 33 new locations in 2024.
Chief executive Tom Crowley has announced plans to open 45 additional restaurants throughout the year, expanding the chain’s presence in major cities including Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, and London.
Crowley also shared Popeyes’ ambition to become “one of the largest QSR operators in the UK market,” with a medium-term goal of operating over 350 locations.
This year’s expansion drive is expected to create roughly 2,500 new jobs across the UK as the business targets sales of more than £200m.
Popeyes is currently exploring various formats, including eat-in and drive-through restaurants.
This follows a 100% increase in total sales reported by Popeyes over the course of 2024, amounting to more than £118 million—the equivalent of one sandwich being sold every three seconds.
Crowley said: “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. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole Popeyes team for their continued hard work and dedication throughout what was an incredibly busy year which saw us become the UK’s fastest growing QSR brand.
“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.”
He added: “Underpinned by the proven global appeal of the Popeyes brand and our highly acclaimed customer proposition, the growth potential of the business is significant, and we have a medium-term target to scale to more than 350 sites, establishing Popeyes UK as one of the largest QSR operators in the UK market.”
Founded in New Orleans in 1972, Popeyes now operates over 4,000 restaurants worldwide.
In January 2024, private equity firm TDR Capital acquired a majority stake in Popeyes UK to support its accelerated nationwide expansion.