Popeyes opens new Edinburgh restaurant as hungry customers queue for over an hour to be first inside
The new restaurant, located at 46 North Bridge, opened today at 12pm.
Queues of eager and hungry customers began forming outside Edinburgh’s newest Popeyes restaurant more than an hour before it officially opened its doors.
The popular American fried chicken chain opened its latest city centre restaurant at 46 North Bridge at 12pm on Wednesday, November 11, with customers spotted lining up from around 10.30am.
The opening marks the arrival of Popeyes’ third restaurant in the Capital, adding to its existing sites on Princes Street and at Fort Kinnaird.
The new restaurant has taken over the former Pizza Hut premises, just off Edinburgh’s High Street, and is expected to attract locals, commuters and visitors looking to get their hands on the chain’s famous Louisiana-style fried chicken.
The first three customers through the door were promised free Chicken Sandwiches for an entire year, so we can’t blame them for wanting to get in fast.
The first 50 in the queue were also promised to receive exclusive Popeyes merchandise while the first 100 customers were also offered a free chicken sandwich.
The North Bridge restaurant features 60 covers, alongside self-service ordering kiosks and collection points for customers ordering online.
Popeyes, which takes inspiration from the flavours of New Orleans, is known for its chicken sandwiches, tenders, hot wings and signature wraps.
The latest opening follows the arrival of the brand on Princes Street in March 2025, when large crowds were also spotted gathering to celebrate its Edinburgh debut.
The chain’s expansion in the capital continued with its Fort Kinnaird restaurant opening in November 2025.