-KH News Desk (cbedit@imaws.org)
Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, the operator of Popeyes in India, plans to expand the chain’s presence in the country to 50 restaurants in the next year and 250 restaurants in the medium term. Popeyes made its debut in India in January 2022 with its first restaurant in Bengaluru and has since expanded to 12 restaurants in the region. The company recently opened its largest restaurant in Chennai and plans to scale Popeyes progressively in other regions across the country.
Sameer Khetarpal, CEO of Jubilant FoodWorks , said that chicken is one of India’s largest and fastest-growing categories, and the company is confident that it can recreate the same excitement and loyalty for the brand in other regions across the country.
Popeyes India has received a positive response from Indian consumers, with nearly one million guests trying the Popeyes menu, which has been adapted to cater to diverse taste palates. The company’s food tech park ensures consistent quality and high fill rates for stores, resulting in higher repeat rates for the brand. The recent launch of specialty items unique to India, such as the Hot & Messy Range, is aimed at Indian guests, and the brand also offers a full range of vegetarian offerings.
Restaurant Brands International CEO Joshua Kobza said that the company is committed to serving delicious, high-quality food and providing an exceptional experience, and looks forward to expanding its presence in India and bringing more flavourful menu items to guests. ICICI Securities expects Jubilant to add over 100 stores in the next financial year, and believes that the brand will compete fiercely with KFC.
Jubilant is India’s largest food service company, with exclusive master franchise rights from Domino’s Pizza Inc., Dunkin’ Donuts, and Popeyes. The company also owns and operates Hong’s Kitchen, a Chinese cuisine restaurant chain with 12 locations across four cities. Recently, Jubilant unveiled plans to launch 20-minute-delivery services in metro cities across India, starting with Bengaluru.
