Fried chicken chain Popeyes unveils plans for new drive-thru in Aberdeen

The American franchise runs 17 outlets in England but only one in Scotland.

By Denny Andonova

August 15 2023, 4:08 pm

The proposed drive-thru restaurant would be located in Altens. Image: Google Maps/Shutterstock Date; Unknown

Fast food fans could soon get a taste of soul food from the American Deep South – in a car park in Aberdeen.

Stateside fried chicken supremos Popeyes hopes to bring its recipes to the north-east as part of a major expansion across the UK.

The New Orleans company, which has been fast food favourite in the US since 1972, opened its first overseas restaurant in Stratford two years ago.

New branches have been cropping up left, right and centre ever since, as bosses hope to one day own at least 400 sites across the country.

Popeyes restaurant — Popeyes owns a number of restaurants in Europe, including 174 in England. Image: Apaydin Alain/ABACA/Shutterstock

There are now 17 UK outlets and the franchise is not slowing down anytime soon, with more than 20 others on the way – including one drive-thru proposed for Aberdeen.

Where would the drive-thru be?

Project Triptych Ltd plans to build the new drive-thru restaurant at the Wellington Circle Retail Park in Altens.

It comes following the success of a Starbucks drive-thru at the complex, which also boasts an Ikea and a Pure Gym.

Bosses say the car park could easily cope with some spaces being removed to make way for the drive-thru. Image: Google Maps.

This would be Popeyes’ second restaurant north of the border, with work on its Glasgow eatery already under way.

The drive-thru proposal was approved in March 2020, but work was waylaid due to the pandemic and the plans never got off the ground.

This blueprint shows where the potential new addition would be built. Image: Ryden.

What is Popeyes famous for?

Founded in 1972, Popeyes was a dream come true for founder Al Copeland who wanted to serve the best chicken America has ever known.

Now with more than 3,000 locations worldwide, the franchise is famed for its freshly prepared food and “complex” flavours.

All of their chicken treats are marinated for 12 hours and hand-battered with buttermilk, as well as a special mix of spices.

Image: Apaydin Alain/ABACA/Shutterstock.

What do the plans involve?

Under the proposals, 89 out of the 453 parking spaces at the Altens site will be removed to accommodate the new business.

This will include building a restaurant, a designated drive-thru lane, landscaping and dedicated parking spaces for customers.

Property agents Ryden, who prepared the proposals on behalf of Popeyes, say the buildings will be of the “highest standards”, as well as eco-friendly.

You can read more about the plans here.

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