Popeyes UK has announced a major expansion across Greater Manchester, confirming that five new restaurants will open in 2026, including at Manchester Piccadilly Station, the region’s busiest rail hub. Following a successful 2025 for the brand in the region, with fans enjoying nearly 180,000 Chicken Sandwiches, Greater Manchester is set to see the highest number of new Popeyes openings anywhere in the UK this year.
The new restaurant openings will more than double Popeyes footprint in Greater Manchester, joining four existing restaurants at Manchester Arndale, Piccadilly Gardens, Bury New Road, and Bolton, which saw fans start queuing from 2am ahead of its opening last week. By the end of 2026, the region will be home to nine Popeyes locations, creating over 500 jobs.
The announcement follows a record-breaking year for Popeyes UK, which launched more than 45 restaurants nationwide in 2025, celebrated the opening of its 100th UK restaurant, and now employs over 3,500 people.
Tom Crowley, Popeyes UK Chief Executive Officer, said: “Greater Manchester has an incredible food scene, and we’re excited to announce five new restaurant openings across the region, our biggest regional investment of 2026. From the city’s busiest transport hub to vibrant communities like Oldham, we can’t wait to welcome new fans, serve up our world-famous chicken, and bring the unforgettable launch-day energy Popeyes® is known for.”
Where in Greater Manchester is Popeyes opening next?
The confirmed new restaurants will open at the following locations, with two more to be announced soon:
- Elk Mill Retail Park, Broadway, Royton, Oldham, OL2 5HX
- Wilmslow Park, Unit 7 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M13 0JN
- Unit 17, Gateway House, Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2HG
New additions to the Popeyes menu
Popeyes is starting 2026 strong with the launch of its new Shatter Crunch Savers range, introducing 28 crave-worthy new menu items starting from just £1.99. The new menu includes the all-new The Chicken Cruncher, a Shatter Crunchin’ chicken tender made from 100% fresh chicken, drizzled with Popeyes’ smoky Kickback Sauce and nestled in a sweet bun, available for £2.49 or £4.99 as a meal.
Joining the nationwide menu is also the brand-new Ranch Wrap, featuring two Shatter-Crunchin’ Tenders, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, and a generous drizzle of creamy, fan-favourite Ranch sauce, all wrapped in a soft, toasted tortilla.