American chicken food chain Popeyes is opening its second Northern Ireland location at The Junction retail centre in Antrim.

The New Orleans-style fried chicken brand, which debuted in Belfast in September 2024, is expanding its presence with a new drive-through facility.

The official opening is scheduled for 7 July 2025, and the facility will create 100 jobs, adding to the 90 roles at the south Belfast site.

The Junction drive-through will offer free chicken sandwiches to the first 50 foot and the first 50 drive-through customers on opening day, and the first three in each queue will receive free chicken sandwiches for a year. This promotion aims to attract a significant number of visitors.

Popeyes’ UK chief executive Tom Crowley stated: “We’re thrilled to be announcing our first drive-through location in Northern Ireland, following the success of our Belfast Forestside opening last year.

“Northern Ireland remains a key focus in our expansion plans, and we’re looking forward to bringing a taste of New Orleans to the people of Antrim and the surrounding areas.”

This promotional event aims to attract a significant number of customers to the new location.

In a broader expansion effort, Popeyes UK has secured a £43m loan from Barclays Corporate Banking to support the opening of 45 additional stores across the UK within the year.

This significant financial backing underscores the brand's commitment to expanding its UK footprint.

The partnership with Barclays marks a new chapter for Popeyes, which also entered a strategic collaboration with SSP Group in April 2025.