The American fried chicken sensation Popeyes has announced ambitious plans for further UK expansion as it prepares to open its 100th British restaurant next week.
Rapid Expansion Across Britain
Popeyes will reach the significant milestone of 100 UK locations when it opens its newest restaurant at London Bridge station on November 25, 2025. This will mark the chain's 27th London location and comes just four years after Popeyes launched its first UK restaurant in 2021.
The company has experienced remarkable growth throughout 2025, opening 45 restaurants so far this year alone. Popeyes is on track to open nearly 50 new locations across multiple formats during 2025, creating more than 2,500 jobs throughout the country.
Strategic Growth and Customer Response
Tom Crowley, chief executive officer of Popeyes UK, revealed that while there's "no public target" for new restaurants, he believes the company can "keep opening at a similar pace" throughout 2026. The chain has expanded faster than initially anticipated, with Crowley attributing this success to customers appreciating "the authenticity of the brand."
The London Bridge location will offer both dine-in and takeaway options, catering to the station's busy commuter traffic. This follows Popeyes' successful expansion into travel hubs, including its first UK airport site at Birmingham Airport this summer through a strategic partnership with SSP Group, and a subsequent opening at Birmingham New Street Station in July.
Continued Momentum and Future Opportunities
Consumer demand remains strong, with Popeyes reporting impressive sales figures. The chain has sold over 3.1 million of its iconic chicken sandwiches so far in 2025, demonstrating sustained popularity among British consumers.
Mr Crowley expressed immense pride in reaching the 100-restaurant milestone, calling it "a remarkable achievement" to grow so substantially within four years of entering a new market. He highlighted that the company sees "amazing customer response at all of our openings" and confirmed that Popeyes will "continue to open more restaurants up and down the UK in 2026."
Opportunities for further expansion exist throughout Greater London and beyond, according to Crowley, who noted that the brand has found success across the entire country, not just in the capital. The company's growth strategy continues to focus on bringing its "fantastic, authentic fried chicken" to new communities while maintaining its commitment to fresh, hand-breaded products.
