Popeyes just launched its first store in China, and photos show how not even a pandemic can keep a horde of fans from their chicken sandwich

Crowds of people swarmed the restaurant, illustrating how Popeyes' famous chicken sandwich has pandemic-proofed its brand.
While other fast-food restaurants are seeing declines in sales due to the pandemic, Popeyes is the only brand whose sales have continued to be robust.
After such a strong opening, Popeyes is well-positioned to take on the Chinese market and start opening more of the 1,500+ restaurants the chain plans to open.
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Remember the good old days when all people cared about was getting their hands on a Popeyes chicken sandwich?

Those good old days are back in Shanghai, where Popeyes opened its first restaurant in China on May 15, marking the brand's most successful launch in its 48-year history.

Popeyes is one of the few brands to enjoy continued success during the pandemic, thanks to the power of the chicken sandwich. While most chains have reported significant declines in sales over the last quarter, Popeyes reported a 29.2% year-over-year sales increase. And even though KFC is currently the most popular fast food chain in China, Popeyes' arrival in the country poses an undeniable threat to the colonel's territory.

Perhaps those numbers gave Popeyes the confidence to stick to its plan to open its first Chinese location last week. Take a look at the incredible turnout in pictures below.

The new Popeyes restaurant is situated on Shanghais Huahai Road, a commercial thoroughfare that cuts through the heart of the city.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Source: South China Morning Post

Popeyes is the last of Restaurant Brands Internationals brands to launch in China. Its also RBIs most recent acquisition.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Source: QSR Magazine.

In July 2019, the fried chicken chain announced that it planned to open over 1,500 restaurants in the country.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Source: QSR Magazine

China started easing its stringent lockdowns in April as the coronavirus case count dropped..

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Even with new social distancing measures in place, customers showed up in droves to eat at Chinas first Popeyes.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

The long lines and large crowds proved that the chains meteoric rise doesnt stop in America.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Another boon for Popeyes success in China is that Chick-fil-A, one of its main competitors in the chicken sandwich space, isnt likely to expand there anytime soon, thanks to its slow and careful approach to expansion.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Chick-fil-A has locations in just three countries: the US, Canada, and the UK. The chain opened its first UK location just last year.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Source: Chick-fil-A is ramping up its international expansion, opening its first location in the UK

Popeyes, on the other hand, has locations in 25 countries around the world.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Any international brand dreams of carving out a piece of Chinas immense market, and Popeyes is well on its way to doing so.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

After all, China is home to some of the worlds most dedicated fried chicken fans. In 2014, a Sichuan woman made the news for spending a week in a KFC restaurant after her relationship ended.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Source: New York Magazine

Popeyes just launched its first store in China, and photos show how not even a pandemic can keep a horde of fans from their chicken sandwich

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The new Popeyes restaurant is situated on Shanghais Huahai Road, a commercial thoroughfare that cuts through the heart of the city.

Popeyes is the last of Restaurant Brands Internationals brands to launch in China. Its also RBIs most recent acquisition.

In July 2019, the fried chicken chain announced that it planned to open over 1,500 restaurants in the country.

China started easing its stringent lockdowns in April as the coronavirus case count dropped..

Even with new social distancing measures in place, customers showed up in droves to eat at Chinas first Popeyes.

The long lines and large crowds proved that the chains meteoric rise doesnt stop in America.

Another boon for Popeyes success in China is that Chick-fil-A, one of its main competitors in the chicken sandwich space, isnt likely to expand there anytime soon, thanks to its slow and careful approach to expansion.

Chick-fil-A has locations in just three countries: the US, Canada, and the UK. The chain opened its first UK location just last year.

Popeyes, on the other hand, has locations in 25 countries around the world.

Any international brand dreams of carving out a piece of Chinas immense market, and Popeyes is well on its way to doing so.

After all, China is home to some of the worlds most dedicated fried chicken fans. In 2014, a Sichuan woman made the news for spending a week in a KFC restaurant after her relationship ended.

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Popeyes just launched its first store in China, and photos show how not even a pandemic can keep a horde of fans from their chicken sandwich

Recommended articles

The new Popeyes restaurant is situated on Shanghais Huahai Road, a commercial thoroughfare that cuts through the heart of the city.

Popeyes is the last of Restaurant Brands Internationals brands to launch in China. Its also RBIs most recent acquisition.

In July 2019, the fried chicken chain announced that it planned to open over 1,500 restaurants in the country.

China started easing its stringent lockdowns in April as the coronavirus case count dropped..

Even with new social distancing measures in place, customers showed up in droves to eat at Chinas first Popeyes.

The long lines and large crowds proved that the chains meteoric rise doesnt stop in America.

Another boon for Popeyes success in China is that Chick-fil-A, one of its main competitors in the chicken sandwich space, isnt likely to expand there anytime soon, thanks to its slow and careful approach to expansion.

Chick-fil-A has locations in just three countries: the US, Canada, and the UK. The chain opened its first UK location just last year.

Popeyes, on the other hand, has locations in 25 countries around the world.

Any international brand dreams of carving out a piece of Chinas immense market, and Popeyes is well on its way to doing so.

After all, China is home to some of the worlds most dedicated fried chicken fans. In 2014, a Sichuan woman made the news for spending a week in a KFC restaurant after her relationship ended.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Recommended articles

Top social media platforms used for agriculture in Kenya - Survey

African countries with the fastest-growing military strength in 2024

3 African countries could play host to Russian diplomatic missions

Trends in online casino gaming in New Zealand

10 African countries with the highest number of migrants

PHOTOS: Inside the hostel in Rwanda set to house migrants from the UK in July

10 African countries with the weakest governments

Zap unveils Africa's first non-custodial exchange

The future of healthcare on display: Day 1 of Medlab West Africa wraps up

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