Popeyes UK Eyes Century Mark as Fried-Chicken Chain Accelerates Roll-out
US-founded brand plans to open its 100th UK location at London Bridge station amid nationwide expansion
The American fried-chicken chain Popeyes is poised to open its 100th United Kingdom restaurant next week, signalling the latest phase of its rapid UK growth.
The milestone outlet, located at London Bridge station in central London, will bring its London estate to 27 sites and is part of a nationwide strategy.
Since launching in the UK in 2021, Popeyes has leveraged surging consumer demand for chicken-based menu options to expand aggressively.
The business has opened 45 restaurants so far in 2025 and expects to approach 50 by year-end, according to the firm’s United Kingdom chief executive, Tom Crowley.
He noted that while the company is not publicly setting a specific target number, it believes it can maintain a “similar pace” of openings into 2026.
Backed by private-equity firm TDR Capital and with leadership already recording a doubling of UK turnover to more than £118 million in 2024, Popeyes is broadening its footprint beyond London and is targeting key cities such as Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol.
The chain is also developing multiple formats, including dine-in, drive-through and delivery-kitchen sites.
Crowley dismissed concerns about reaching “peak chicken” in the UK market, arguing that penetration levels remain well below those in the United States and that consumer appetite continues to grow.
The chain’s medium-term ambition is to expand to more than 350 UK sites, underscoring the scale of its ambition.
The rapid roll-out reflects both Popeyes’ confidence in the UK quick-service restaurant sector and the intensifying competition as similar US-based chicken brands expand into Britain.
The London Bridge opening positions Popeyes at a major commuter hub, aligning with its strategy to develop high-footfall travel-locations alongside high-street and suburban sites.
For consumers this means more choice and greater convenience; for competitors, it signals a rising challenger rapidly scaling to contend with legacy operators.
Popeyes’ next 50 openings are likely to shape the competitive landscape for fried-chicken markets in the UK heading into 2026 and beyond.
The milestone outlet, located at London Bridge station in central London, will bring its London estate to 27 sites and is part of a nationwide strategy.
Since launching in the UK in 2021, Popeyes has leveraged surging consumer demand for chicken-based menu options to expand aggressively.
The business has opened 45 restaurants so far in 2025 and expects to approach 50 by year-end, according to the firm’s United Kingdom chief executive, Tom Crowley.
He noted that while the company is not publicly setting a specific target number, it believes it can maintain a “similar pace” of openings into 2026.
Backed by private-equity firm TDR Capital and with leadership already recording a doubling of UK turnover to more than £118 million in 2024, Popeyes is broadening its footprint beyond London and is targeting key cities such as Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol.
The chain is also developing multiple formats, including dine-in, drive-through and delivery-kitchen sites.
Crowley dismissed concerns about reaching “peak chicken” in the UK market, arguing that penetration levels remain well below those in the United States and that consumer appetite continues to grow.
The chain’s medium-term ambition is to expand to more than 350 UK sites, underscoring the scale of its ambition.
The rapid roll-out reflects both Popeyes’ confidence in the UK quick-service restaurant sector and the intensifying competition as similar US-based chicken brands expand into Britain.
The London Bridge opening positions Popeyes at a major commuter hub, aligning with its strategy to develop high-footfall travel-locations alongside high-street and suburban sites.
For consumers this means more choice and greater convenience; for competitors, it signals a rising challenger rapidly scaling to contend with legacy operators.
Popeyes’ next 50 openings are likely to shape the competitive landscape for fried-chicken markets in the UK heading into 2026 and beyond.
