The opening date for Kent’s latest Popeyes restaurant has been revealed – and there will be a Mardi Gras-style band and freebies to kick it all off.
The American fried chicken chain will launch its new store in Week Street, Maidstone, next week.
Last month, signs teasing that the fast food giant was “coming soon” were put up in shop windows.
Popeyes has thousands of restaurants in the US, with a menu offering burgers, wraps, chicken tenders and wings.
It already has a branch in Prospect Way, Dartford, which had customers queuing ahead of its opening in 2024.
Now, Popeyes has confirmed it will officially open its second spot in the county on February 20 at 11am.
UK chief executive Tom Crowley said: “We’re really excited to bring the bold flavours of Louisiana to Maidstone for the first time.
“After seeing the amazing response in Dartford, we know Kent loves our world-famous Shatter Crunch chicken.
“We can’t wait to welcome the community with our New Orleans hospitality and celebrate this opening together.”
To mark launch day, the first three customers will win free Deluxe Chicken Sandwiches for an entire year.
Popeyes merch will also be up for grabs for the first 50 foodies in the queue, and the first 100 will win a free Deluxe Chicken Sandwich.
The spirit of New Orleans will also fill the air with a performance from Mardi Gras-style band, The Brass Funkeys.
The new restaurant, which has created 58 jobs, features 41 seats inside, as well as self-service kiosks and collection points for takeaways.
It will be in the former Wendy’s on the junction of Week Street and Earl Street.
It took over the unit after the fellow American fast food restaurant shut down overnight in December.
The diner-style chain had operated in the town for three years after opening in 2022 and had been Kent’s only branch.
