RBI: »Popeyes« Signs Landmark Deal to Enter France in 2022

Oakville / CA. (rbi) RBI’s «Popeyes» Louisiana Kitchen brand and leading French restaurant group, Napaqaro, are excited to announce an exclusive Master Franchise and Development Agreement to develop and grow the brand in France and Monaco, with plans to open hundreds of restaurants across multiple formats over the coming years.

French guests can soon look forward to enjoying «world-famous» fast food, such as the brand’s signature Chicken Sandwich, which was one of the most successful product launches in Quick Service Restaurant history when it was released in the USA in August 2019.

«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.» said David Shear, President RBI International, parent company of Popeyes. «This is another significant step in Popeyes’ European journey and follows successful entries into Spain and most recently the UK. This announcement demonstrates our ability to partner with leading institutional investors who have backed best-in-class local operators.»

«We are extremely proud to partner with Restaurant Brands International (RBI), one of the world’s largest quick-service restaurant companies, to introduce Popeyes in France. This new partnership confirms Napaqaro’s ambition to build the future of the restaurant industry in France, offering a unique customer experience to our guests and families,» said Jocelyn Olive, President and CEO of Napaqaro. «With 100 percent of our chickens born and raised in France, natural ingredients sourced locally, and proprietary family recipes, Popeyes in France will aspire to be at the forefront in leading QSR towards utilizing sustainable and responsibly sourced ingredients wherever possible.»

The first Popeyes in France is set to open in 2022, with hundreds of restaurants expected to follow over the coming years. This launch will lead to major investment in market-leading talent and digital innovation and create hundreds of new jobs spanning critical operational roles in construction, supply chain and distribution. The brand plans to provide a direct boost to the French hospitality sector by hiring talent to prepare and serve Popeyes’ world-famous products.

The QSR brand is committed to bringing a market-leading digital experience to French guests, utilizing personalization and the latest service channels to serve our guests in the iconic hospitable way that is characteristic of the brand. The announcement of new restaurant units in France contributes to the ambitious brand expansion plan. Other international expansions announced during 2021 include the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Romania, and India.

The partnership between Napaqaro, one of the largest restaurant groups in France, and Restaurant Brands International, one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant companies, will strategically complement Napaqaro’s portfolio of activities, which already covers casual dining (Buffalo Grill, Courtepaille), dark kitchens and digital activities (Bun Meat Bun). Napaqaro is backed by TDR Capital, a leading private equity firm managing funds with over EUR 10 billion of committed capital with decades of experience in the hospitality sector.

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