Finger-lickin' chicken is set to prove a huge hit in the North East when popular brand Popeyes makes its debut in the region, with a New Orleans-style party and an option to win freebies for a whole year.
The American chain which only arrived in the UK in November, making its debut in London, picked the Metrocentre in Gateshead for what will be its third restaurant - and it has now announced its opening date and planned celebrations. The 98-seat restaurant will welcome first customers on August 20 with a party and the company says it "is confident its first northern restaurant experience will be an even bigger hit than its first UK launch".
And it certainly will be grabbing attention with its plan to host a party and offer the first three people in the queue a chance to win free chicken sandwiches for the next year. There also will be free sandwiches and merchandise on the day for the first 50 customers.
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The team behind the fried chicken giant found that customers travelled huge distances to visit that first branch in the Stratford, London, including diners from Newcastle and York as well as Birmingham and Cambridge. It reported "hours-long queues" over the weeks following its launch and the venue is now said to be the highest-performing of the company's 3,700 restaurants across the world.
The Metrocentre will be its fourth venue in Britain - and its third standalone restaurant - after it followed up Stratford with Romford and Chelmsford, all attracting queues of thousands, it said. And the North East opening will be marked in style with a New Orleans-style party starting at 11am that day, following doors opening at 9am.
Besides the free chicken sandwiches and merchandise, customers will be able to explore a menu containing the likes of Popeyes’ original southern biscuits and gravy. Popeyes UK's chief operating officer Neil Williamson happens to be a Geordie and he said he is "super excited" to be expanding into his home region.
He said: "Most global brands that come across to the UK are keen to take over the south first and often don’t consider the north until years later, which is why we always felt it was important to establish Popeyes up north in the early stages of our UK expansion.
"The North East is an incredible part of the UK with much in common with the brand’s New Orleans roots - fierce local pride; a rich history; appreciation for a good party and above all a big heart."
He added: "I believe that our legendary menu and southern hospitality will really win the hearts and taste buds of the North East.” That menu will make use of locally-sourced chicken with its recipes based upon the concept that good food takes time.
The chicken - which features in that sandwich - will be marinated for at least 12 hours in bold Louisiana seasonings then hand-battered, breaded and fried in its Popeyes' own style. Gateshead customers will be able to taste the results from Saturday, August 20 when the restaurant opens its doors in the Metrocentre's Yellow Mall Qube.
After the launch, its operating hours will be from 10.30am daily (11am Sundays), until 9pm on weekdays; 7pm on Saturdays and 5pm on Sundays. Ben Cox of Sovereign Centros, senior asset manager for Metrocentre, said: “We are delighted that Popeyes has chosen the Metrocentre for its first restaurant in the north of England.
"This is another fantastic addition to our malls and further demonstrates the strength of the leisure and dining offer at the centre and its popularity with major international brands.”
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