Popeyes UK Eyes 100 Sites by Year-End Amid Fierce Competition
Posted by Emma on 1st Oct 2025 Reading Time:
Popeyes UK has reported strong growth in its latest financial results, revealing turnover of £118.9 million for the year ending 31 December 2024. This figure marks a significant rise from £58.1 million in the previous year, reflecting the brand’s rapid expansion since entering the UK in 2021.
During the year, the fried chicken chain increased its estate from 38 to 64 sites, boosting gross profits from £37 million to £77.4 million. Pre-tax losses were reduced from £9.4 million to £4.1 million, signalling improving financial performance despite heavy investment in growth.
Chief Financial Officer Andrew Taylor highlighted the brand’s momentum, noting that the business has “made investments to achieve long-term growth, most notably increasing new site openings and strengthening the team with key hires.”
The company’s strategy has included forging new partnerships. A collaboration with EG On-the-Move marked the beginning of its UK franchise strategy, opening doors to additional roadside locations. Popeyes has also signed a franchise partnership with SSP Group, resulting in the opening of its first airport site at Birmingham Airport in the summer.
Since the end of 2024, Popeyes has opened a further 20 sites, with another 16 planned in the coming months, including its first location in the Republic of Ireland. Planning applications have already been lodged, including one for Dublin’s Westmoreland Street.
To fund this expansion, Popeyes UK secured £43 million in new facilities from Barclays Corporate Banking earlier this year. The additional finance is expected to support the group’s rollout of sites across the country.
The brand continues to face growing competition from fellow US operators. Dave’s Hot Chicken, Chick-fil-A, and Raising Cane’s have all announced plans to expand in the UK, adding to the pressure in the fast-food chicken sector. Despite this, Popeyes maintains that it is “well positioned to achieve its significant medium-term growth ambitions.”
Taylor acknowledged the ongoing challenges of inflation but said the business had been able to work with suppliers to strengthen partnerships and achieve efficiencies through economies of scale.
Popeyes UK now appears on track to reach 100 sites by the end of 2025, marking another milestone in its ambitious push to become a leading name in the British fast-food market.