Popeyes To Enter France and Open Hundreds of Restaurants

Popeyes announced today it inked a landmark deal to enter France in 2022 and open “hundreds” of restaurants across multiple formats in the coming years in the country.

The master franchise and development agreement was signed with the French restaurant group napaqaro. Popeyes says the launch in France will lead to major investment in market-leading talent and digital innovation and create hundreds of jobs, spanning operational roles in construction, supply chain and distribution.

“We’re delighted to announce this landmark agreement for Popeyes and can’t wait to introduce our iconic chicken to France, one of the largest QSR markets in the world,” says David Shear, president of international for Restaurant Brands Int’l., the parent company of Popeyes. “This is another significant step in Popeyes’ European journey and follows successful entries into Spain and most recently the U.K. Today’s announcement demonstrates our ability to partner with leading institutional investors who have backed best-in-class local operators.”

napaqaro’s portfolio includes the casual-dining brands Buffalo Grill and Courtepaille, along with virtual kitchens and digital activities. napaqaro is backed by the private equity firm TDR Capital.

This year, Popeyes announced several other international expansions in markets like Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Romania and India. The brand currently has over 3,600 locations worldwide.