Popeyes, one of America’s biggest fast-food chains, is opening its first ever Manchester restaurant at One Piccadilly.
Established in New Orleans back in 1972, Popeyes first offered a boldly seasoned chicken sandwich that gripped the local community. 50 years later, the blend of Cajun spices and satisfying crunch has swept the world, with Popeyes now serving at over 4,000 restaurants globally.
The brand’s first UK restaurant opened in Stratford, London in November 2021. Since then, the restaurant has branched out to 32 additional sites in places such as Nottingham, Brighton, Reading, Derby, Cardiff, Gateshead and Liverpool, which, until now has been the nearest place for Mancunians to satisfy that craving for crunchy Louisiana chicken.
Set to open later in the year at One Piccadilly, Manchester’s Popeyes will join several restaurants including Barburrito, Pizza Express and Shoryu Ramen. A popular place for city centre workers at lunch time, its location will no doubt see huge queues forming for its 12-hour marinated fried chicken.
On the menu, diners can order the OG chicken sandwich, alongside wraps, signature Louisiana chicken, tenders, hot wings, and sides which include Cajun gravy, mac and cheese and seasoned fries.
Manchester’s Popeyes is the 15th restaurant for the chain this year and will accommodate 67 diners with 32 additional seats outside. Once open, the restaurant will also create 100 new jobs for the city.
Popeyes UK chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to announce that a new Popeyes restaurant will be opening in Manchester later this year. The city has been a key location for us since we first landed in the UK, and we’re looking forward to bringing the spirit of New Orleans to the iconic Piccadilly Gardens.
“Our most recent openings have been some of the biggest to date, not just in the UK but for Popeyes globally. After many requests for a Popeyes UK in Manchester, we are confident that the new restaurant will be just as popular and can’t wait to announce our opening week plans soon."