SSP Group, an operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations, and Popeyes UK, the UK’s fastest-growing quick-service dining brand, officially opened the first Popeyes ® UK airport restaurant at Birmingham Airport (BHX).
Marking the latest in a string of successful launches across the West Midlands, the new restaurant is the brand’s first UK airport and its fifth location in the region, joining recently opened restaurants at Birmingham Fort, Wednesbury, and Tyseley.
Popeyes® brought the spirit of New Orleans to Birmingham Airport this morning; opening to passengers and staff, who were quick to be among the first to try the brand’s famous Louisiana Chicken. With exclusive merch up for grabs for the first 150 customers - including branded eye masks and luggage tags - it was the perfect pre-flight fuel-up.
The new restaurant will serve up Popeyes’ fan favourites including the iconic Chicken Sandwich, plus Hot Wings, Tenders and Signature Wraps from 10am every morning. The new Saucin’ Boneless and Wings range will also be available, inspired by bold New Orleans flavours: cheesy Garlic Parm, smoky BBQ, and spicy Buffalo.
From 3:30AM to 10AM, passengers travelling from Birmingham Airport can enjoy Popeyes® brekkie menu, featuring British breakfast classics with a New Orleans twist. The menu includes Cajun Hash Browns and the Big Brekkie Roll - made with a herby chicken sausage patty, which is suitable for a halal diet. A limited core menu of fried chicken dishes including the Chicken Sandwich, Hot Wings and Tenders will also be available at this time.
All of Popeyes® chicken is halal and marinated for 12 hours in its signature blend of bold Louisiana seasoning, then hand-breaded and battered to deliver that world-famous ‘shatter crunch,’ complemented by tasty extras like Popeyes® Original Biscuits and Cajun Gravy.
Tom Crowley, CEO of Popeyes® UK, said: “Opening our first UK airport location is a huge milestone for Popeyes® as we rollout our expansion plans. We’re thrilled to bring a taste of New Orleans to Birmingham Airport, and to serve our shatter crunchin’ fried chicken to passengers from Birmingham and beyond.”
Richard Gill, Commercial Director at Birmingham Airport said: "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, which we open in partnership with our Food and Beverage partner SSP. 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. With an extensive menu that caters for all dietary needs, the arrival of Popeyes bolsters our airside dining options and we're confident that the new restaurant will prove popular with our passengers."
Cathy Granby, Business Development Director at SSP UK & Ireland said: “This is the first in a pipeline of opportunities for SSP and Popeyes, starting with Popeyes’ inaugural journey into UK airport restaurants with our long-standing partner, Birmingham Airport. There’s a huge appetite for Popeyes’ tasty menu, so we're really excited to kickstart our new partnership together and for what the future holds.”
