UK’s rooster restaurant warfare heats up as US chain plans much more websites

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Your help makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Hen chain Popeyes is about to open its one hundredth UK restaurant subsequent week, signalling its continued fast growth throughout the nation.

The US-founded model, which launched within the UK in 2021, has skilled swift progress. This surge is attributed to hovering client demand for fried rooster, notably as rooster features recognition as a protein supply.

The landmark London Bridge station outlet can be backed by personal fairness agency TDR Capital.

The three,000-square foot web site on the busy commuter station will take the enterprise to 27 websites throughout London.

Bosses have mentioned the opening is a part of a technique to focus on extra journey hubs in its continued progress plans.

Popeyes has opened 45 eating places to this point this 12 months and expects this to be close to 50 by the tip of 2025.

Tom Crowley, chief government officer of Popeyes UK, instructed the PA information company that there's “no public goal” for brand new eating places however that he believes it may possibly “preserve opening at an analogous tempo” subsequent 12 months.

“We’ve had success throughout the nation in addition to in London as a result of I believe individuals have actually appreciated the authenticity of the model,” he mentioned.

“We’ve been in a position to develop faster than we first anticipated however there are nonetheless loads of alternatives, so I can’t see a purpose why we are able to’t preserve opening at an analogous tempo.

“I believe there are positively alternatives in higher London however not simply there by any means.”

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/07/05/21/00/iStock-618185872.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/07/05/21/00/iStock-618185872.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/07/05/21/00/iStock-618185872.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Fast Food Restaurant" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Quick Meals Restaurant (Getty/iStock) It comes amid a flurry of exercise for rooster manufacturers within the UK, partly pushed by the launch of a raft of US chains into the UK, together with Popeyes.

Rival Wingstop UK, which was purchased for round £400 million late final 12 months, has additionally quickly expanded in recent times, whereas different rivals together with Dave’s Sizzling Hen and Chick-fil-A have entered the market.

Mr Crowley shrugged off ideas the UK could possibly be reaching “peak rooster” and mentioned he believes there's nonetheless a powerful alternative for additional progress.

“I usually hear this query as to once we will attain peak rooster, however I believe continued rise in demand for patrons reveals that there's loads of room to develop.

“And when you take a look at the US for instance, they've round double the variety of rooster eating places per head than we do right here, so there's nonetheless potential for extra out there.”