Q&A: Does Popeyes Franchise in the UK?

Whether starting your own fried chicken franchise was a post-Covid or new year’s resolution, there are so many reasons why Popeyes is the franchise for you. But does it 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 over 3400 restaurants globally, Popeyes opened it’s 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 franchise will be monitoring the progress of this new business closely and, all things being well, may be looking to roll out further stores in the UK. 

With more than four decades’ worth of experience contributing to the franchise’s global success, Popeyes 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 flavor profiles that are unmistakably Louisiana. We continuously draw upon and celebrate this heritage to inspire new, authentic menu creations the world craves.
- Popeyes

The history of Popeyes franchise 

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.

While it’s certainly taken long enough to get here, this exciting and delicious franchise is finally in the UK and will surely be looking for new franchisees to take the business forward. If you think you’ve got the skills, knowhow 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

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 business?

1. How do you get started?

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, the exact financial specifics of UK franchising are unknown.

In the US, it’s typically the case that franchisees need to make an investment of somewhere between $235,000/ £172,354 and $454,000/ £332,974 depending on the specifics of the franchising location and size, so this is a rough estimate of what UK franchisees could expect to invest. There are also franchising fees of around $50,000/ £36,671.

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 £75,000 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 £95,000, with a view to achieving an expected revenue of around £500,000.

2. What is the ideal Popeyes franchisee?

The ideal Popeyes 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 is on offer?

Popeyes 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 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. Or, to see what other franchise businesses there are, try to the UK franchise directory for a complete listing of franchises looking for new people to join them!