One of the first UK drive-thrus for a US fried chicken restaurant is planning to open at a £30 million mixed-use development in Nottingham.
Popeyes®, famous for its legendary Chicken Sandwich and being the home of Louisiana heat, already has a branch in Upper Parliament Street in Nottingham city centre and is planning to further its presence in the city at Teal Park.
The site, off the Colwick Loop Road in Netherfield, has been jointly developed by Warwickshire-based AC Lloyd Commercial (ACL) and Nottingham-based Henry Davidson Developments (HDD).
They have exchanged contracts with Popeyes® for the 2,500 sq ft unit which will contain a 65-seating area, drive-through, car-parking and click and collect bays.
A planning application is currently being prepared and if planning approval is successful, work would begin later this year on converting the premises into another Popeyes site.
100 jobs would be created when it begins trading in the spring of 2024.
Popeyes pace of openings is seeing the chain expand across the UK at a faster rate than comparators which have also recently landed from across the pond.
Mark Edwards, managing director at AC Lloyd Commercial, said Popeyes®, which is famous for its Louisiana chicken, would be a welcome addition to the retail units already based at Teal Park.
“Popeyes® has continued to grow in popularity across the UK since it opened its first branch in London in 2021,” he said.
“They are starting the next stage of their growth plans by introducing drive-thru restaurants and, providing planning is approved, this will become among their first in the UK.
“Teal Park is a thriving mixed-use development with a diverse range of businesses and it would be great to add Popeyes® to the site.”
Richard Croft, director at HDD, added: “This has been a really successful project which is highlighted by the range of businesses which have opened units as well as the mix of international, national and local companies that are now based here.”
Teal Park is also home to Aldi, Birds Bakery’s, Pizza Triangle, Valley CiDS charity shop, a state-of-the-art care home, and a trade and industrial park.
Founded in New Orleans in 1972, Popeyes® has more than 50 years of history and culinary tradition.
Popeyes® distinguishes itself with a unique New Orleans style menu featuring the brand’s 12 hour marinated chicken and other regional items such as original Southern biscuits and gravy.
The chain’s passion for its Louisiana heritage and flavourful authentic food has allowed Popeyes® to become one of the world’s largest chicken quick-service restaurants with over 4,000 restaurants in the U.S. and around the world.
Tom Crowley, CEO at Popeyes UK, added: “The sustained demand we’re seeing for Popeyes is incredible, it’s great to see how enthusiastically the UK has welcomed us, and we’re particularly proud to be opening our first drive-thru locations this year. Following the success of our Upper Parliament Street restaurant which landed in Autumn 2022, opening a drive-thru location locally was an obvious choice for us. We’re looking forward to expanding our offering in Nottingham.”