US fast food chain dubbed ‘better than McDonalds’ set to open 30 new restaurants as fans say: ‘I’m so obsessed’

The popular US fast food chain, dubbed “10/10” and “better than McDonald’s” by fans, is set to open 30 new restaurants in the UK.

Known for its mouth-watering Louisiana fried chicken, Popeyes was founded in New Orleans in 1972 and opened its first UK branch in Stratford in 2021.

Since then, more restaurants have popped up across the country in areas such as Oxford, Nottingham and Gateshead as the brand has expanded across the country.

The company currently has 38 branches, and this number will almost double as a further 30 branches will soon open their doors to UK customers, including restaurants, delivery kitchens and drive-throughs.

The brand announced the move earlier this week on its social media, where it wrote: “Are you ready for more warmth?”

Known for its mouthwatering Louisiana fried chicken, Popeyes was founded in New Orleans in 1972 and opened its first UK branch in Stratford in 2021.

“Get ready for over 30 new openings, including new restaurants in Manchester and Nottingham, our first delivery launch in Birmingham and our next opening in London.”

The company has published a map showing where some of the locations will be, although not all of them have been announced yet.

The list of stores includes Glasgow, Birmingham, Swansea and Manchester, with the Birmingham store also promising a kitchen for delivery.

Tom Bing, Chief Development Officer, Popeyes: told Metro: “We’re excited to give even more people their first taste of New Orleans as we double our estate in 2024.”

“We are especially proud of our geographic expansion, including our first-ever visitor center restaurant at Waterloo Station, which will fill hungry travelers with delicious food and a dose of that famous New Orleans spirit.”

Customers who have already had the opportunity to try what the fast food chain has to offer took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts.

One fan claims: “Popeyes is actually 10 of the top 10 fast food chains I’ve tried in the UK.”

Another chimed in: “Popeye’s fries are better than McDonald’s fries.”

There are currently 38 branches and this number will almost double as a further 30 branches will soon open their doors to UK customers including restaurants, delivery kitchens and garages.

Customers who have already had the opportunity to try what the fast food chain has to offer took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts.

Meanwhile, a third and fourth added: “Popeyes is better than McDonald’s” and “Popeyes was 10/10.”

One foodie pitted Popeyes, Wendys and McDonalds against each other, ranking Popeyes number one.

Another Brit said: “Gotta get back to @PopeyesUK soon.”

Someone else added that they’ve eaten Popeyes sweet and sour wings three times in the past week, showing they’re “so obsessed.”

Following the announcement, some fans still want more locations and tweeted at the company, insisting they expand to more areas.

“Come to Wrexham!” wrote one foodie, while another added: “You need to embrace West Yorkshire!”

The chicken restaurant is the latest US fast food giant to expand its UK base of operations after Wendy’s, Taco Bell and Wingstop entered the UK market in recent years.

The expansion also comes five years after Popeyes launched its famous chicken sandwich, a menu item that quickly went viral and sold out in stores across America.

He saw savvy entrepreneurs selling sandwiches for five times the price right outside the store after the new dish sold out nationwide just over two weeks after its launch.

The three men were apparently trying to sell the wildly popular burger for $20 each outside the restaurant at an undisclosed location, advertising the items from a folding table.