Popeyes franchise owners adding more restaurants

By Rosemary McCoy

One year ago, Sioux Falls was anticipating the opening of the city’s first Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

When that day came, on June 30, and for several days, police had to help with traffic control on East 10th Street because of the long line of customers.

The co-owners of the franchise for the area have since opened a second location on South Louise Avenue and are building two Popeyes restaurants in Sioux City.

Construction is progressing on Popeyes’ first location in Sioux City.

The first to open will be on Singing Hills Boulevard in front of Sam’s Club. Work on the second site, which is west of downtown, will start after Memorial Day.

The Singing Hills restaurant should be ready at the end of July, said Justin Laird, who has the franchise with Chris Connelly.

“We expect that opening to be larger than Sioux Falls,” Laird said. “We’re hoping to go for the all-company record for an opening day.”

He wouldn’t say how much chicken the restaurant would have to sell to break the mark. In addition to its fried chicken, Popeyes is known for its Southern-inspired side dishes.

“Popeyes has been growing exponentially in the past few years,” Laird said.

The Atlanta-based chain, which is being bought by the parent company of Burger King, has more than 2,600 locations, about double the amount from 2008.

Laird and Connelly, who operate the restaurants under the company Calkota Enterprises, are adding a Popeyes in Brookings, too. That location will be on Highway 14, east of Interstate 90 near the Swiftel Center. They’re hoping for a fall opening.

As for another Popeyes in Sioux Falls, Laird said they are in the early planning stages and don’t have a location yet. He hopes to open a third one for the city next year.

 

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Popeyes franchise owners adding more restaurants

The owners of the area franchise for Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen are adding to the chain’s exponential growth.

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