News

Popeyes expanding in Indianapolis market

April 5, 2012

During Popeyes' most recent earnings call last month, CEO Cheryl Bachelder said the company will focus its short-term growth on the Indianapolis market. Those plans now seem to be coming to fruition.

According to the Indianapolis Star, the Atlanta-based chicken QSR has its sights set on 20 or more newly designed restaurants in the Indianapolis metro area throughout the next few years, with the development of about half of those to start this year. The units will be company owned.

The chain used to have a franchise presence in the area, but those units have since closed. Popeyes opened its first company-owned store in the city in late December.

Popeyes' U.S. president Ralph Bower, who used to operate Domino's Pizza stores in the Indy market, said the initial restaurant is doing "extremely well."

Bower added that Popeyes may use the Indianapolis market to test new store designs, products and operational ideas.

Read more about franchising and growth.