Popeyes Edges In on KFC, Plans to Take Over IGH Location Among Others
A bankrupt Kentucky Fried Chicken franchisee is selling 14 metro area locations, according to the Star Tribune.
Popeyes, currently the nation's second largest fried chicken chain, is nipping at the heels of Kentucky Fried Chicken as it makes a major push to strengthen its presence in the Twin Cities.
According to the Star Tribune, AFC Enterprises, Popeyes' Atlanta-based parent company, agreed to buy 14 Twin Cities KFC restaurants from a bankrupt KFC franchisee, Wagstaff Management. The list of acquisitions includes an Inver Grove Heights location. Other locations include those in Rosemount, Hopkins, Richfield, Savage and Bloomington.
Currently, Popeyes has just one Twin Cities restaurant location on Lake Street in Minneapolis near Uptown. A total of 28 restaurants are part of the $13.8 million deal, with other restaurant outlets in northern California, according to the Star Tribune article.
KFC's parent, Yum Brands Inc., isn't exactly pleased with the Popeyes take over. The company said KFC "intends to make every effort to see that as many restaurants as possible continue to operate as KFC restaurants with the same employee teams but under new ownership."
MJB
9:32 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
My husband is from the south and loves Popeyes. This will make his day! :)
Jeff Roberts
9:37 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
I agree MJB! I was in New Orleans when I first tried Popeye's. They had me at their biscuits and red beans and rice. We'll see how these negotiations shake out but hopefully IGH will have a Popeye's soon.
John
4:26 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
GREAT NEWS! When will the Inver Grove store open and could you PLEASE! take the one over in West Saint Paul! When I lived In California I ate Popeyes Chicken twice a week.I Love That Place!