American fast food chain Popeyes is coming to the Czech Republic

American fast food chain Popeyes is officially coming to the Czech Republic, according to a press release issued by parent company Restaurant Brands International, who has partnered with McWin to expand the company's brands in Europe.

According to the press release, McWin will introduce Popeyes to both Czech and Polish markets, and expand Burger King locations throughout the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania. A total of 600 new locations are planned to open in the three countries over the next ten years.

"We're thrilled to have reached this milestone with McWin, and we are confident that their strong experience in developing businesses will translate to successful expansions of our iconic brands in Eastern Europe," says David Shear, international president of Restaurant Brands International.

"This announcement highlights our commitment to serving more guests with our iconic flame-grilled Whopper sandwich and our bold Louisiana style chicken, among other favorites. This is a big step in our ambitious expansion journey for these brands, and we're excited to keep growing our footprint across Eastern Europe."

Founded in 1972, Popeyes is known for its New Orleans-based menu featuring fried chicken, fried shrimp, and other regional products. It primarily operates in the North American market, with a majority of locations in the southeastern United States and a handful of international locations.

Last year, the first Popeyes location in the United Kingdom opened at London's Westfield Stratford City, and reportedly saw a queue of hundreds of people long. Under a franchising deal with a separate company, 90 Popeyes locations are planned to open in Romania in the coming years.

In the Czech Republic, the new Burger King and Popeyes restaurants will feature traditional fast food services including digital ordering screens, as well as table service and delivery options.

"We are excited to continue to strengthen McWin's leadership position in Europe, where we see significant growth opportunities and incorporating strong premium brands in our 1,300 growing restaurant portfolio, such as Burger King and Popeyes", says McWin co-founder Henry McGovern.

Along with Burger King and Popeyes, Restaurant Brands International also owns popular North American brands Tim Hortons and Firehouse Subs. While the deal with McWin only includes Burger King and Popeyes, success in the Czech market could lead to further expansion.

A launch date for Popeyes in the Czech Republic has not been confirmed, but McWin will begin rolling out new locations for Burger King and Popeyes in their markets as soon as next year. Potential locations have likewise not been revealed, but Prague shopping centers would be a likely target.

Popeyes joins a growing list of American fast food brands on the Czech market that includes McDonald's, KFC, Subway, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks.