A taste of Louisiana is spreading far and wide in Manchester as of this week as a brand new Popeyes drive-thru restaurant opens its doors.
New Orleans chicken restaurant, Popeyes, will be opening its first drive-thru premises in the Manchester city region this weekend with its doors and lanes officially opening as of 11am on Friday (April 26) on Bury New Road.
The Salford eatery is the 47th restaurant to touch UK soil since the company branched out in 2021 - and follows in the footsteps of its successful Manchester Piccadilly restaurant which was so popular, fans camped out overnight and queued around the block for 16 hours for their first bite.
While staff at the new Popeyes say they anticipate queues will start from 9am this Friday, they promise to "pull out all the stops" to showcase New Orleans hospitality by giftng the first three people on foot and in the drive-thru with free chicken sandwiches for a whole year.
The first 25 customers in both queues will also be rewarded with a free chicken sandwich and exclusive Popeyes merchandise.
The restaurant is even popular with celebs, from Kim Kardashian to Cardi B, so I went along to see what all the fuss was about before the grand opening day.
@theoldhamtimes Will you be queuing this Friday? 👀🍗 #popeyes #chickenburger #manchester ♬ long version(1175338) - nightbird_bgm
Anticipation has been building for the new place after its bright orange signage popped up on the busy road next to Tim Hortons towards the city centre just a few months ago.
Inside, the dining area is large, inviting and well-decorated too.
On my tour, I'm told diners can order via an app and either collect through the drive-thru or in dedicated collection bays in the car park - "so you don't need to get wet to grab your food".
They really have catered to Manchester customers.
Meanwhile, those looking to eat in can benefit from a proper dining experience.
Just order from the till, grab a table number and your food will be brought to you once it's cooked as each item is made fresh to order.
The drive-thru has also been suitably kitted out with large LED screens - large enough you don't need to squint to read the menu or see what you've ordered.
As for the menu, the classic chicken sandwich, cajun fries, deluxe chicken sandwich and Biscoff milkshake were my personal favourites, with a tub of mac and cheese and buffalo hot wings not far behind.
However, it has an expansive menu, including Southern US-style biscuits with gravy or Nutella, and everything you'd want on a British breakfast with a Louisiana-style twist, such as a big cajun breakfast roll and cajun hash browns.
It also has a £2.99 savin' menu and plenty of sweet treats up for grabs, too.
The all-new American chicken restaurant will mark the brand’s 11th opening in 2024 and comes as part of Popeyes plans to open 30 new locations this year.
What are you most looking forward to trying? Let us know in the comments down below or on Facebook.
If you have a story, I cover everything from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here