Edinburgh restaurants: Fast food chain Popeyes plans to open Edinburgh restaurant on Princes Street

It comes after the American-based company opened restaurants in Aberdeen and Glasgow earlier this year. Founded in 1972, Popeyes now has over 4,000 restaurants worldwide across more than 30 countries. 

The fast food restaurant sells a range of fried chicken meals from burgers and wraps to chicken tenders, wings and chicken on the bone. The company website states: “Popeyes culinary heritage is built upon the rich cajun and Creole flavour profiles that are unmistakably Louisiana.

Popeye's UK

“Popeyes distinguishes itself with a unique New Orleans style menu featuring spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, and other regional items. This unique and flavourful food has allowed Popeyes to become one of the world's largest chicken quick-service restaurant brands.”

PLK Chicken UK Ltd (trading as Popeyes) has submitted plans to the City of Edinburgh Council to transform the former Halifax branch at 131-133 Princes Street, a category B listed building located within the New Town Conservation Area.

Planned works include ‘comprehensive internal refurbishment’ and ‘removal of the bank fitout’. The application adds that ‘no structural alterations are proposed’. External works include shopfront alterations, the ‘installation of mechanical cooling and extraction equipment’ and installation of two ‘halo illuminated fascia signs and one internal display screen.’

The application states: “The modest alterations to the ground floor front elevation and the installation of the signage… will not undermine the special interest of the Listed Building or its contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area.”