Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen is expanding its presence in Puerto Rico, responding to a growing demand for convenient dining options. This week marked the opening of the chain’s 29th location on the island, and the first utilizing a new “Popeye’s ToGo” model focused exclusively on off-premise service. The expansion, led by franchisee Restaurant Holding Company (RHC), reflects a wider industry trend towards faster, more accessible service formats as quick-service restaurants compete for consumer dollars.
Popeye’s is expanding its footprint in Puerto Rico with a new restaurant concept focused on speed and convenience. The company this week announced the opening of its 29th location on the island, and the first designed under the “Popeye’s ToGo” model.
Restaurant Holding Company (RHC), a major franchisee for the chain in Puerto Rico, stated the new format offers customers three purchasing options: a traditional drive-thru, a dedicated pickup area for carry-out orders, and service through third-party delivery and aggregation platforms. The goal is to provide a faster, more convenient experience for diners.
The innovative restaurant occupies approximately 1,190 square feet and employs around 30 people, specifically designed to cater to customers seeking quick meal solutions.
“As Popeye’s grows locally, we are looking for solutions to meet the everyday needs of our customers. They expect convenience, speed, and efficiency without sacrificing quality when deciding where to eat,” said Fernando Oliver, CEO of RHC. This expansion reflects the broader quick-service restaurant industry trend toward off-premise dining.
Oliver expressed enthusiasm about launching a new category of restaurants centered solely on off-premise service. He added that the Popeye’s ToGo concept will allow them to expand operations “more quickly and reach all corners of the island with financial prudence.”
The new Popeye’s To Go is located at Ave. Los Filtros #50, at the corner of PR-177, in the River Town Plaza in Bayamón, adjacent to Guaynabo. It will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
RHC became a Popeye’s franchisee in Puerto Rico in 2022.
Popeye’s recently also opened a new location in the food court of the San Juan Medical Center, serving the needs of staff, patients, families, and visitors to the major hospital complex in the metropolitan area.
The company modernized the space to meet the chain’s standards, joining Burger King, a sister brand of Popeye’s and also franchised by RHC, which is already located in the facility. The restaurant is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
“Opening at the Medical Center is a unique opportunity for us and brings us great satisfaction,” added Carlos Morell, President and COO of RHC. The move demonstrates RHC’s strategy of targeting high-traffic locations with diverse customer bases.
Morell explained that the company has sought to meet the needs of the hospital community, “whether it’s a staff member, a patient, or a visitor caring for a family member who has limited food options in difficult circumstances.”
“We have been part of the Medical Center community for over 30 years with Burger King and we look forward to many years of presence in this location also with Popeye’s,” Morell stated.
Popeye’s is known for its unique “New Orleans” style menu, which includes the globally recognized Chicken Sandwich, spicy chicken, chicken tenders, and recently launched wings, fried shrimp, sides, and desserts.
The iconic chicken is prepared fresh, marinated for at least 12 hours in bold and flavorful Louisiana Cajun seasonings, hand-battered and breaded, slowly cooked with proprietary seasonings and techniques to achieve juicy and crispy chicken. The menu is overseen by an internal team of professionally trained chefs, passionate about honoring the past while innovating the flavor, food, and traditions of Louisiana, making it a benchmark for both Michelin-starred chefs and celebrities alike, the company reported.
“Opening 10 restaurants in 24 months demonstrates our commitment to the local economy and, in addition, to our loyal fans. Our goal is to add 12 restaurants to the chain since we became franchisees and we are on track to achieve that goal, offering the quality of food we are known for, and that has made Popeye’s a local favorite for the past 20 years,” Oliver said.
Popeye’s was founded in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States in 1972. The chain is part of Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI), one of the largest quick-service restaurant companies in the world.
The multinational corporation generates nearly $45 billion in annual sales and operates over 32,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and territories. RBI also operates Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Firehouse Subs.
