Popeyes opens first UK airport restaurant at Birmingham

Popeyes UK has opened its first airport restaurant at Birmingham Airport in partnership with SSP Group, an operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations.

The outlet, located airside in the departures lounge,  will serve a breakfast menu featuring items such as Cajun hash browns and the Big Brekkie Roll From 3.30am to 10am.

A limited range of fried chicken, including the chicken sandwich and chicken tenders, will also be available during this time.

After 10am, the full menu includes signature wraps and a new boneless chicken range with garlic parm, smoky barbecue and spicy buffalo sauces.

All chicken is halal and marinated for 12 hours in Popeyes’ Louisiana seasoning before being hand-breaded and battered. Sides include biscuits and Cajun gravy.

Popeyes UK at Birmingham Airport has created more than 70 jobs locally and features 68 covers, self-service kiosks, and order collection points for online and app orders.

Founded in 1972, the group now operates around 4,000 restaurants globally.

Tom Crowley, chief executive of Popeyes UK, said: “Opening our first ever UK airport location is a huge milestone for Popeyes and we’re thrilled to bring our signature Louisiana hospitality to travellers at Birmingham Airport. We can’t wait to welcome travellers from Birmingham and beyond, and give them a taste of New Orleans before they jet off to their next destination.”

Richard Gill, commercial director at Birmingham Airport, added: “We’re delighted to mark the official opening of Popeyes at Birmingham Airport and to be the first UK airport to welcome the iconic Louisiana chicken brand.

“After months of planning and build, customers travelling out of the airport this summer will now have the chance to sample the renowned New Orleans-inspired flavours of Popeyes chicken. The arrival of Popeyes bolsters our airside dining options and we’re confident the new restaurant will prove popular with our passengers.”