Popeyes, the American fast-food brand known for its fried chicken, is set to launch its first outlet in north India at the newly opened Mall of Faridabad. The outlet will be located in the food court of the mall, which is situated in NIT, Faridabad.
Popeyes plans to expand in India with Jubilant FoodWorks
Popeyes entered the Indian market in January 2022, with its first outlet in Bengaluru. Since then, it has opened 19 outlets across the country, mostly in southern cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Madurai and Mysore. The brand is owned by Restaurant Brands International Inc, which also owns Burger King and Tim Hortons.
Popeyes has partnered with Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd (JFL), the Indian franchisee of Domino’s Pizza and Dunkin’ Donuts, to open 250 outlets in India in the next four to five years. JFL is one of the largest food service companies in India, with over 1,300 restaurants across 285 cities.
Popeyes aims to capture the Indian taste buds with its menu
Popeyes offers a variety of chicken dishes, such as sandwiches, tenders, nuggets, wraps and salads. It also serves sides like biscuits, fries, mashed potatoes and coleslaw. The brand claims to use fresh chicken marinated for 12 hours in Louisiana spices and hand-battered and breaded before frying.
Popeyes has also adapted its menu to suit the Indian palate, by introducing vegetarian options like paneer sandwiches and wraps, as well as spicy sauces like peri peri and tandoori. The brand also offers combo meals and family buckets for affordable prices.
Popeyes faces competition from other fried chicken brands in India
Popeyes is not the only fried chicken brand that is eyeing the Indian market. It faces stiff competition from other global and local players, such as KFC, McDonald’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Chicking and 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken. These brands have already established a loyal customer base in India, with their own unique offerings and promotions.
According to a report by Euromonitor International, the fast-food market in India is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% from 2020 to 2025, reaching $34.8 billion by 2025. The report also states that chicken is the most preferred meat among Indian consumers, accounting for 65% of the total meat consumption in 2019.
Popeyes hopes to create a buzz with its opening at Mall of Faridabad
Popeyes has put up a sign saying “opening shortly” at its store in Mall of Faridabad, which opened its doors on Monday. The mall is located in NIT, Faridabad, which is one of the most populous and industrialized areas of Haryana. The mall boasts of over 250 retail outlets, a multiplex cinema, a gaming zone and a food court.
Popeyes hopes to attract customers with its signature fried chicken and biscuits, as well as its new vegetarian and spicy options. The brand also plans to launch more outlets in north India soon, as part of its expansion strategy.
