Today marks an exciting milestone as the renowned Popeyes® brand, in collaboration with Restaurant Brands Iberia (RB Iberia), the parent company overseeing master franchisees for Burger King® Spain, Burger King Portugal, Popeyes® Spain, and Tim Hortons® Spain, reveals a significant master franchise and development agreement for the expansion of the Popeyes brand into Italy.
Originating in New Orleans in 1972, Popeyes boasts over 50 years of rich history and culinary heritage, blending Cajun and Creole flavors. The brand stands out with its distinctive New Orleans-style menu crafted by an in-house team of expert chefs, featuring iconic items such as the brand’s signature chicken sandwich, spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, and various regional specialties.
Popeyes’ renowned chicken is meticulously prepared, marinated for a minimum of 12 hours, hand-battered, and breaded with their unique seasonings, slow-cooked to perfection. David Shear, President of International at Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Popeyes, expresses enthusiasm for the brand’s growth in Italy, stating, “We have set ambitious expansion plans for our iconic brand, and today’s news highlights our commitment to serving Popeyes bold Louisiana flavors to more guests around the world.”
Italy’s chicken enthusiasts can soon savor Popeyes’ globally acclaimed menu, including the famous Chicken Sandwich, recognized as one of the most successful quick-service product launches in the United States in 2019.
Gregorio Jiménez, Chairman of Restaurant Brands Iberia, shares his excitement about spearheading Popeyes® in Italy, emphasizing the iconic brand’s success in Spain. He states, “Our company excels in managing master franchises, so we have a great business opportunity ahead of us, which will contribute to job creation in Italy and diversify the QSR market for our Mediterranean neighbor.”
RB Iberia is dedicated to delivering an exceptional digital experience for guests, employing personalization and the latest service channels to uphold the brand’s renowned hospitality.
Popeyes, a global giant in the chicken quick-service restaurant sector, boasts over 4,300 restaurants in more than 35 countries. This strategic agreement signifies Popeyes’ ongoing expansion plan in Europe, with existing restaurants in Spain, Switzerland, the UK, Romania, France, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Anticipated to open later this year, the first Popeyes restaurant in Italy is poised to introduce Italian patrons to the bold and flavorful world of Popeyes.
