Popeyes plans hundreds of new locations with new design, technology
The promotion of 59-cent chicken is not the only good news for Popeyes fans as the Louisiana chicken franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Later this month, Popeyes will open a 6,100-square-foot restaurant in New York City’s Times Square, one of the more than 200 locations the company plans to open worldwide by the end of 2022.
Of the 200-plus expansions this year, company spokesperson Kristin Martinez cannot confirm yet how many of those locations will be added in New Orleans and Louisiana, but announcements are expected soon.
“The Popeyes Times Square restaurant, located at 1530 Broadway, is on track to feature a new modern design that pays homage to its Cajun roots and Louisiana brand heritage, while staying at the forefront of technology innovations, with the unveiling of new features, including convenient self-order kiosks, a two-story food transporter for upstairs dining, digital order ready boards, and even a merchandise store for collecting swag,” said Martinez.
The expansions mean that Popeyes will have added close to 1,000 locations since 2018. By the end of 2022, Popeyes will have more than 3,700 locations in 46 states and 34 countries. The franchise is expanding in new markets such as South Korea, France, India and Romania, and further expansion is set for China, United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, Philippines, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Switzerland and Sri Lanka.
Martinez said more than half of the new restaurants will include double drive-thru windows to serve increased traffic and boost speed of service; digital pick-up shelves and curbside service for higher levels of mobile orders; and self-order kiosks for improved in-store ordering and service. The brand is also reconfiguring and launching new back-of-house technology solutions for updated kitchen designs.
“As Popeyes continues to celebrate its history, it also aims to make history by being at the forefront of technology and operational systems,” Martinez said. “The brand designed its new kitchens and systems from the ground up to be more efficient and capable, but also a better place to work. This includes piloting and launching technology solutions that enable improved operation in our restaurants, make the team members’ job easier and improve labor efficiency.”
On March 28, Popeyes showed New Orleanians several of its new design features when its French Quarter restaurant reopened on Canal Street following construction and interior renovation. Customers are greeted by self-service kiosks, digital order ready boards, dedicated areas for order pick-up, new seating, new tile and updated color schemes.
Popeyes is celebrating its 50th year in business. In June 1972, Al Copeland opened the first restaurant in Arabi.
The franchise is offering two pieces of chicken for 59 cents for customers ordering ahead for pickup on its website or app. It’s the original price offered when Popeyes first opened.
The special runs through June 19.
Gloss