Popeyes UK has secured the master franchise development agreement to operate the Popeyes brand in the Republic of Ireland.
The first restaurant is set to open in Blanchardstown, Dublin, this spring, with a “pipeline of additional restaurant openings” across the country, including a “megastore” in Dublin.
The expansion into Ireland will create up to 500 new jobs this year, with more to come as part of the New Orleans-founded chicken chain’s longer-term ambitions to grow its Irish presence.
It builds on Popeyes’ UK restaurant portfolio, which has scaled to more than 110 sites, including two in Northern Ireland.
“Expansion into Ireland is a natural next step in our growth journey and builds on the fantastic progress we have made in the UK in the past five years, where Popeyes has established itself as one of the fastest-growing QSR brands in the market,” said Popeyes UK & Ireland CEO Tom Crowley.
“Ireland represents an exciting opportunity for us, as it’s a vibrant market with a strong and growing demand for convenient, high-quality food. Irish consumers are open to new food experiences, and we see significant long-term potential opportunity to grow our footprint and really tap into the local culture.”
The restaurant expansion comes as Popeyes UK has broadened its offering with a refreshed Shatter Crunch savers menu.
In January, the brand launched the Chicken Cruncher, priced at £2.49 or £4.99 as a meal with regular fries and a drink. It features a chicken tender marinated in Popeyes’ Kickback Sauce in a sweet bun.
It joined a lineup of 28 items, including the Four Boneless & Fries, Two Tenders & Fries, and Three Spicy Hot Wings & Fries – all priced from £2.99.
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