It’s official – American chicken chain Popeyes is coming to Leicester. We reported in July that the branch was likely heading here after it submitted a planning request for changes to 10-12 Gallowtree Gate, the former Dorothy Perkins and Burtons clothing store downtown, which closed in early 2021 following the demise of the Arcadia Group.

Now, Popeyes has confirmed that “the famous Louisiana chicken” is coming to Leicester. The company was founded in New Orleans in 1972 by Al Copeland, who, according to the brand’s website, “dreamed of serving the finest fried chicken.”

It now has more than 2,000 outlets across the United States. Popeyes debuted in the UK in November 2021, opening a branch in Stratford Westfield in London.

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Popeyes said at the time that he planned to open 350 stores across the UK. In June of this year, the brand revealed the list of upcoming branches. Among them were Nottingham, Gateshead, Oxford, Reading, Brighton and Ealing, as well as Leicester.

The company claims to use in the UK 100 percent fresh chicken, which has been marinate for 12 hours in its signature blend of Louisiana herbs and spices. It is then rusked and hand beaten to create what is described as the famous ‘Popeyes shatter crunch’ texture. A Leicester store opening date has yet to be announced.