Q&A: Does Popeyes Franchise in the UK?

Fried chicken is one of the UK’s most popular fast foods. From high street chains to smaller businesses, no fast food business is complete without a helping of fried chicken. And, as one of the leading suppliers of excellent quality, delicious fried chicken, you’re far from alone in hoping Popeyes franchises in the UK - but what is the truth?

Does Popeyes franchise in the UK?

You’re just in time! With about 4,000 restaurants around the world, Popeyes opened its very first London location in October 2021. At long last, this Louisiana-originating fast food franchise has made its way across the pond and to the plates of hungry Brits. The franchisor is monitoring the progress of this new business closely and is planning to roll out further stores in the UK.

With more than four decades’ worth of experience contributing to the franchise’s global success, the Popeyes UK franchise has shown resilient growth over the last couple of years and is now set to hit the ground running in 2022.

Popeyes® culinary heritage is built upon the rich Cajun and creole flavour profiles that are unmistakably Louisiana. We continuously draw upon and celebrate this heritage to inspire new, authentic menu creations the world craves. - Popeyes

When did Popeyes open its first UK restaurant?

Owing its culinary heritage to the ambitious entrepreneur, Al Copeland, Popeyes was founded in 1972 with the aim of bringing delicious, southern bites to the world. Building on strong, locally inspired tastes, Popeyes has grown to become a beloved American and global fried chicken franchise, before finally making its way over to the UK in 2021.

While it’s certainly taken long enough to become a Popeyes UK franchise, this exciting and delicious chain store is finally here and will surely be looking for new franchisees to take the business forward. If you think you’ve got the skills, know how and determination to be an excellent fried chicken franchisee, it’s time to consider Popeyes as your next career opportunity.
“This unique and flavorful food has allowed Popeyes to become one of the world’s largest chicken quick service restaurants, with over 2,700 restaurants in the U.S. and around the world.” - Popeyes

Who owns the Popeyes UK franchise?

As a whole, TDR Capital increased its shares in the company, making it the majority shareholder of Popeyes UK since 2024. It’s a British equity house that also uses the name Asda. It took majority control from the previous owner, Ring International, who still holds minority shares in the chicken food franchise.

Of course, there are franchise owners of their own franchise businesses in various areas. For instance, Tom Crowley is the CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen UK. It’s one example of successful franchising and expansion of a US brand into the US. He became CEO in April 2021 after being a director of Boparan Restaurant Group for three years. With a rich history in the hospitality and restaurant industries, managing a Popeyes UK franchise was an easy decision.

What are Popeyes’ expansion plans in the UK?

Popeyes has ambitious expansion plans in the UK, aiming to solidify its presence in the fast-food market. The Popeyes Chicken franchise UK has had rapid expansion since its founding in 2021, and now it’s set to grow even more. The 2025 strategy includes 45 new locations, such as high-traffic areas in Birmingham, Leeds, and Bristol. It aims to offer a blend of takeaways, dine-ins, and drive-thrus.

That means there will be plenty of new opportunities for potential Popeyes franchise UK franchisees in 2025. As part of its growth strategy, Popeyes is seeking franchise partners to accelerate nationwide expansion, bringing its crispy fried chicken to more regions. Make sure you don’t miss out on this chance to start your first chicken fast-food franchise in the UK.

How does Popeyes’ menu in the UK differ from its US offerings?

The Popeyes UK franchise has adapted its menu to cater to local tastes while maintaining the brand’s signature Louisiana-style flavours. The core offerings still include chicken sandwiches, Cajun fries, and the famous hand-battered fried chicken. However, there are subtle differences when it comes to portion sizes, ingredients, and exclusive items in the UK.

Some minor changes are due to local UK food regulations and where ingredients are sourced from. For example, there may be slight taste and texture differences due to oils and seasonings sourced in the UK instead of the US. Also, items exclusive to British customers make some menu dishes more appealing.

How does Popeyes compare to other fried chicken chains in the UK?

The Popeyes Chicken franchise UK has quickly become a strong competitor in the UK’s fast-food scene. Some top names include KFC, Wingstop, and local favourites such as Morley’s and Southern Fried Chicken. Despite domination in this market, Popeyes UK has carved its own niche with its authentic Louisiana-style fried chicken.
One of the top dishes that beats the competition is the widely-acclaimed chicken sandwich. With a viral craze erupting in the US, UK customers were quick to adopt it into local culture. Biscuits with Cajun gravy are uncommon in British fast-food outlets, which makes it a unique offering in a fried chicken store.

How do you start a fried chicken franchise with Popeyes?

Joining a business during an exciting period of growth is something of a dream for lots of aspiring franchisees, making Popeyes an excellent choice. So, what do you need to know to start your own Popeyes franchise UK business?

1. How much is the UK Popeyes franchise?

As Popeyes is in its infancy in developing a UK business, the best way to go about enquiring about franchising opportunities in the UK is to approach the business directly. However, there are some financial estimates based on current franchisee information.

The minimum Popeyes franchise cost in the UK is around £50,000 just to get the basics in order. The total investment ranges from £470,000 to £3,875,000. This variation depends on factors such as location, restaurant size, and type (e.g., walk-in, drive-thru, sit-down). This should give you some idea of how much it costs for a Popeyes franchise in the UK.

If you’re wondering how much an investor’s net worth should be when aiming to buy a Popeyes franchise for sale, the value needs to be around least £1,000,000. That means you’re looking at a decent profit if you plan to sell after a few successful years.

If this isn’t quite what you were hoping for in terms of price range, the good news is that there is a range of other chicken franchises for more affordable prices. For example, consider opening a franchise business with:

Rooster Shack requires a minimum investment of £50,000 and a total investment of £150,000. Franchising fees are £17,500 + VAT.
While specialising in a slightly different area of fast food, Caprinos Pizza requires a total investment of only £120,000, with a view to achieving an expected revenue of around £500,000.

2. What is the ideal UK Popeyes franchisee?

The ideal Popeyes UK franchisee is an individual with good business sense, a passion for the ethos of the Popeyes franchise and who is an excellent communicator. Ideally, a franchisee will:

• Be a people person
• Have a positive attitude
• Have excellent communication skills
• Be capable of leading a team

3. What training does Popeyes UK offer?

The Popeyes UK franchise has a dedicated training package to help get both you and your franchise’s skills up to scratch. Over a package designed to last between six and 10 weeks, you’ll cover all the essential bases of running a chicken franchise, including team orientation, leadership skills, recruitment and a number of other essential skills.

When you’re a Popeyes franchisee, you know that you’ll never be alone. From the dedicated training package that you’ll receive both before and after you start training, you’ll also be able to count on the franchising network of fellow Popeyes members. From advice and guidance, your franchisees are all on hand to support you through the challenges to come.

Start a Popeyes UK franchise today

Popeyes might only be in the early stages of its franchise growth across the UK, but after achieving global success, there’s no doubt it won’t take long for Brits to fall in love with the signature dishes and ethos of this business. So, to really maximise your earnings and job satisfaction, join a franchise only on the up and become a Popeyes franchisee today!

If you’re still worried about how best to go about this process, consult Point Franchise’s guides to building a business plan for a chicken shop franchise and how to choose the right chicken shop franchise for your needs.