Today, the Popeyes® operator in the UK (“Popeyes UK” or the “Company”), one of the UK’s fastest growing*, award-winning QSR brands, is pleased to announce having secured the master franchise development agreement to operate the Popeyes® brand in the Republic of Ireland. The first restaurant is set to open in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 this spring.
The company – which will be known as Popeyes® Ireland – also confirms that it has secured a pipeline of additional restaurant openings across the country, with more openings planned in 2026 including a ‘megastore’ in the heart of Dublin.
Founded in New Orleans in 1972, the iconic and award-winning Popeyes brand has over 50 years of heritage and culinary tradition to its name. The brand, which is well known for having catered Beyonce and Jay-Z’s wedding, is widely regarded as the expert when it comes to fried chicken and authentic Southern hospitality, with a unique New Orleans style menu known for the quality of its ‘shatter crunchin’ chicken – which uses fresh chicken that is hand-breaded and battered following a 12-hour marination process. The chain’s passion for its Louisiana heritage, authentic hospitality and flavourful food has allowed Popeyes to become one of the world’s largest chicken quick service restaurants with over 5,000 restaurants in over 40 markets around the world.
2026 will see Popeyes – which was recognised in The Sunday Times’ prestigious Best Place to Work list – create up to 500 new jobs in Ireland this year, with more to come as part of Popeyes’ longer-term ambitions to grow its Irish presence.
The entry into Ireland builds on Popeyes’ hugely successful roll out across the UK, scaling to more than 110 sites – including two in Northern Ireland – having launched in the market in 2021 in Westfield, Stratford, a restaurant which remains one of Popeyes’ busiest sites globally. Each new UK store opening continues to be met by overnight queues from devoted Popeyes fans.
Tom Crowley, CEO at Popeyes UK and Ireland, commented: “Expansion into Ireland is a natural next step in our growth journey and builds on the fantastic progress we have made in the UK in the last five years, where Popeyes has established itself as one of the fastest growing QSR brands in the market.
“Ireland represents an exciting opportunity for us, as it’s a vibrant market with a strong and growing demand for convenient, high-quality food. Irish consumers are open to new food experiences, and we see significant long-term potential opportunity to grow our footprint and really tap into the local culture.
“We can’t wait to bring the authentic taste and hospitality of New Orleans, and our hand breaded and battered, shatter crunchin’ chicken to customers in Ireland, with the opening of our first restaurant in Blanchardstown Centre. We look forward to opening more restaurants across the country in 2026 and beyond.”
Renato Rossi, EMEA president at Restaurant Brands International (RBI), parent company of Popeyes, said: “Following the strong success in the UK, we’re excited to expand into Ireland with the same experienced local operators. Dublin is a dynamic market, and we’re confident Irish guests will respond strongly to our unique New Orleans-style menu. This expansion reflects our disciplined approach to international growth – scaling with proven partners and replicating a model that is already delivering strong results.”
Connor Owens, chief executive of Falcon AM, the asset management company of Blanchardstown Centre: “The arrival of Popeyes in Ireland has been highly anticipated, and we are delighted to confirm that Blanchardstown Centre will be the home of its first Irish restaurant. Popeyes joins a long line of leading international brands that have chosen Blanchardstown Centre as an entry point to the Irish market. There are more exciting developments to come in 2026 as we continue to roll out an ambitious investment programme for the country’s largest retail and leisure destination.”
