A few new restaurants will be in New York City, including a new flagship location in Times Square as well as other restaurants in Manhattan and Staten Island.
The Times Square restaurant, due to open in the fall, will include special features like new design, branded merchandise, self-service kiosks, and a sort of 21st-century described as a “two-story food conveyor” for customers dining on the second floor.
“Poppys is one of the fastest growing brands within RBI, particularly in terms of building new restaurants,” Sami Siddiqi, president of Popeyes, told CNN Business. “The majority of growth is expected in the United States and Canada, where business has accelerated significantly.”
My friend’s comments mirror those made by Reserve Bank of India CEO Jose Seal earlier this year. “Development remains a key priority… for the brand for long-term growth,” Sell said during a February call with an analyst. “We’re just surfacing the opportunities for Popeyes, and I firmly believe that the brand is on the cusp of becoming one of the fastest growing brands in the industry.”
chicken feed growth
Seal’s comments are reflected in Popeyes’ performance during the pandemic. It’s been a jewel in RBI’s portfolio, especially when compared to the challenges its other brands faced early in the pandemic.
In 2020, sales at Tim Horton restaurants that were open for at least a year fell by 17.5%, and sales at Burger King locations that were open for at least a year were down 11.1%. By contrast, Popeyes’ sales jumped 17.7% in the same period, thanks in part to customer interest in the chain’s chicken sandwich.
Last year, Tim Hortons wore a Burger King. Sales increased 12.5% ββat Tim’s restaurants open for at least a year, and 15.9% for the same category of stores at Burger King.
Popeyes also saw an improvement in 2021, although it was more modest after its gains in 2020: Sales at restaurants open for at least a year were up 7.3% last year. Popeyes opened 208 new restaurants throughout 2021, making it a “super year,” Seal said in February.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the opening timing of Popeyes Times Square. It is expected to open in the fall of 2022.
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