The American fast-food chain that once ‘broke the internet’ is heading to Kingswood
Popeyes Chicken, coming soon to Hull at the former Kingswood Pizza Hut(Image: Donna Clifford/Hull Live)
An American fast-food giant known for its “famous Louisiana chicken” is preparing to open its first restaurant in Hull. Popeyes has been a staple of the fried chicken market in the United States for more than 50 years after being founded in New Orleans in 1972.
It eventually expanded across the world and now has over 4,000 locations, including more than 100 in the UK. The chain, which proudly highlights its Louisiana roots “where life is spirited, soulful, and the food is no different”, has rapidly grown on British shores having only opened its first UK outlet at Westfield Stratford just over four years ago.
It serves a selection of fried chicken meals including burgers, tenders and wings which are “marinated for 12 hours in our signature blend of Louisiana herbs and spices”.
Popeyes is now preparing to open in Kingswood having taken over the former Pizza Hut which closed late last year after the company behind its UK operations fell into administration. The subsequent rescue deal saved 64 dine-in sites, including the restaurant at St Andrew’s Quay.
Popeyes is currently getting the Hull restaurant ready with work going on at the site. Banners announcing its arrival have been placed outside the building stating it is coming “from New Orleans to Hull” and is “opening soon”.
Another boasts that the chain once “broke the internet”. This is in reference to a 2019 Bloomberg story following the launch of a chicken sandwich that saw sales soar with queues forming at its US outlets.
Popeyes has celebrity backing too with Beyoncé stating she was a fan of the chain. It is widely reported the brand catered at her wedding to Jay Z in 2008.
The company is currently advertising for a shift manager role at the Hull restaurant paying between £12.75 and £13.25 an hour. The successful candidate will lead the team during shifts as well as other responsibilities including managing food safety and “creating a fun, high-energy environment for both team and guests”.
The opening date of Popeyes has not yet been revealed. Hull Live has contacted the chain for comment.
At present, its nearest branches are in Lincoln, Rotherham, Barnsley, Leeds, Sheffield and Wakefield.
Popeyes’ upcoming arrival in Hull follows that of Five Guys which opened its first outlet in the area in February last year. The gourmet burger restaurant is located on the other side of the retail and leisure park close to Hollywood Bowl and Cineworld.