Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen Opens 2000th Restaurant Globally

Brand to Celebrate Milestone with BONAFIDE® Giveaway at Newest Location Grand Opening

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From New Orleans to Istanbul, food lovers across the globe love the unique, authentic taste of Popeyes^® Louisiana Kitchen—the world’s second largest quick-serve chicken concept based on number of units—and on July 16, 2011, Popeyes will celebrate the opening of its 2,000^th restaurant. The landmark opening, located in Memphis, Tenn., marks a major growth milestone for Popeyes and highlights the success of the company’s development strategy.

“The 2,000th restaurant opening is proof that our delicious, authentic Louisiana cooking, paired with a very deliberate development strategy is the perfect recipe for success”

“The 2,000^th restaurant opening is proof that our delicious, authentic Louisiana cooking, paired with a very deliberate development strategy is the perfect recipe for success,” said Ralph Bower, chief operating officer for Popeyes. “We are pleased to reach this significant milestone as we approach our 40^th year.”

The milestone restaurant, located at 4201 Hacks Cross Road, Memphis, Tenn., is owned and operated by Olive Oil Associates led by President Bob Cook, who brings more than 45 years of franchise and QSR experience to Popeyes. Cook is Popeyes’ 2010 Operator of the Year Award winner.

In celebration, Popeyes will give away 2,000 pieces of FREE chicken for guests attending the grand opening event at the Hacks Cross Road location only. The mouthwatering, one-day promotion is Popeyes way of saying “thank you” to devoted fans and first-time visitors alike.

”This is definitely an exciting moment for our team and we’re proud to be opening the 2,000^th restaurant location for Popeyes in Memphis,” said Cook. “We’ve created this offer to give something back to our loyal guests and also to encourage new guests to come in and experience the authentic flavor of Popeyes, Louisiana—Fast^TM!”

The 2000^th restaurant also marks a milestone for the Popeyes’ executive team which continues to implement a development strategy that addresses both unit growth and store profitability, bringing a new focus to the quality of new restaurant openings. Popeyes’ development strategy includes extensive analysis of site modeling data that allows the company to better evaluate potential new restaurant sites, as well as decline sites that will not perform at the company’s high standard.

“Popeyes’ commitment to quality begins in our kitchen and extends throughout our entire organization, including operations and development,” said Bower. “With our evaluative measures in place, we are able to look at key factors that affect restaurant performance and profitability and the proof is in the performance. This is critical information and it allows us to continue to work with and attract the best franchisees in the business.”

*Free chicken will be given away as 3 pieces (spicy or mild) with a biscuit until the 2,000 piece limit has been reached. Pieces may vary.

About Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen

Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Popeyes is a leader in the New Orleans segment of the foodservice industry and is the world’s second largest quick-service chicken concept based on the number of units. As of April 17, 2011 Popeyes had 1,997 restaurants in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, and 25 foreign countries. For more information, visit the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Web site at www.popeyes.com.