Here at Entertainment Swindon, we have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Popeyes Restaurant since April when news hit the town about the fastest growing fast food restaurant in the UK.
The bright orange very American looking fast food diner totally looks the part! Having lived for a few years in Miami, I had frequented Popeyes, and for me it really stands heads and shoulders above the rest of the more commonly known American fast food brands we are used to in the UK. The taste is is a fresh tasty menu with a great variety of choice. The opening of this new taste of America, also created 72 new jobs for the town.
Popeyes, which is situated next to The Range has seating for 69 people, as well as of course a drive through, delivery bays and collection points. Inside there are fast interactive screens to choose your meal and an app you can order from too.
Swindonian’s braved the cold, with many queuing for over 15hrs, with 47yr old James being the first to start queuing at 4pm on Sunday braving bitter ice cold temperatures for 19hrs to get in first and be rewarded with a years worth of chicken sandwiches!
We caught up with James at 4:30pm on Sunday ahead of Sundays press launch and although we were willing James to stick it out, we weren’t sure if he would make it, and even James himself wasn’t totally sure he would make it through to the doors opening either, just shaking his hand and wishing him good luck before we went into the warm to taste the menu for the press launch sent an ice block up my arm and down my back!
But as we stuck it out also, from the car in a five season arctic sleeping bag, we witnessed more and more brave Swindonians arrive. The first to arrive at the Drive Through, was 7:30pm, with another arriving shortly after, followed by many others arriving around 2am through to 4-6am.
As the doors opened at 11am on Monday, we were over the moon that James did stick it out to be the first through the doors to be rewarded, not only with 3 chicken sandwiches every week for 12months, but also Popeyes merch and of course a warm building, a comfy seat and of course a meal fit for Swindon’s newest legend!
As the people of Swindon rolled into the newly opened restaurant, they were welcomed with a choice of Popeyes signature Chicken Sandwiches, Chicken Strips, Hot Wings, Wraps, and even refill soft drinks! There was also a festive menu available, with a new cheesy collection.
Popeyes offer fresh chicken brought in every 48hrs, marinated for 12hours in their signature Louisiana seasoning blend before being hand-breaded and battered.
The breakfast menu will run from 8am until 10am daily. A Breakfast meal deal costing £1.99 will be available exclusively through the Popeyes UK app, which includes a Bacon Roll, a Cajun Hash Brown and a drink.
Tom Crowley, Popeyes UK CEO, said: “We’re excited to be bringing Popeyes to Wiltshire for the first time with the launch of our new drive-thru in Swindon next week. With our rapid expansion across the UK, opening at Fleming Way Retail Park feels like the perfect next step. We can’t wait to introduce the community to our famous Louisiana fried chicken and the bold flavours of New Orleans.”
Entertainment Swindon 
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