New Orleans-founded fried chicken brand Popeyes said today it will open its first restaurant in Ireland this spring.
The new restaurant will be in Blanchardstown, with a second opening planned for Westmoreland Street in Dublin city centre for the summer.
The company said it will 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.
Tom Crowley, CEO at Popeyes UK and Ireland, said that expansion into Ireland is a natural next step in the company's growth journey and builds on the progress it has made in the UK in the last five years.
"Ireland represents an exciting opportunity for us, as it's a vibrant market with a strong and growing demand for convenient, high-quality food," Mr Crowley said.
"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," he added.
Renato Rossi, EMEA President at Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Popeyes, said that after the strong success in the UK, the company is 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," he added.
Connor Owens, chief executive of Falcon AM, the asset management company of Blanchardstown Centre, said the arrival of Popeyes in Ireland has been highly anticipated.
"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," he added.
