American chicken chain Popeyes to create "hundreds" of UK jobs with 350 new restaurants

An American fried chicken chain has announced plans to open 350 restaurants in the UK over the next ten years.

Popeyes, which currently has 3,400 restaurants across 29 countries, is set to open its first UK venue by the end of this year as part of its “ambitious” European expansion plan.

It makes its debut in the country as part of an agreement between PLK Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International Inc. (“RBI”), Ring International Holdings (“RIH”) and former RBI executive Elias Diaz Sese.

This follows the company’s recent rollouts in Spain and Switzerland, and is expected to create “hundreds” of new jobs and boost the hospitality sector.

David Shear, president international of RBI, commented: “We are excited to announce that we are going to be bringing the Popeyes brand to the UK.

“Popeyes has established itself as an international brand, famed for the creation of authentic, Louisiana-inspired fried chicken products.

“Our UK launch will build on other successful international expansions in Spain, Switzerland, China, the Philippines and most recently in Sri Lanka.

“We are confident that our UK guests will love their fried chicken from Popeyes and we look forward to offering an alternative product in a major international market that we believe is ripe for disruption. We can’t wait to get started!”

Elias Diaz Sese, co-founder of Popeyes UK, said: “We are very pleased to launch Popeyes, a brand that has brought moments of celebration to guests globally, something we believe is important more now than ever.

“It allows us to contribute in hardship moments for the country by creating hundreds of career opportunities.

“We truly aspire to become an employer of reference for big-hearted talent through care, service and supporting the neighbourhoods in which we operate.”

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