Jubilant FoodWorks Limited (JFL) introduces Popeyes to New Delhi's Chandni Chowk, marking its expansion into the national capital region after its initial entry into India in 2022. With plans to open stores in other key locations, including Jasola, Faridabad, and Gurugram, Popeyes aims to leverage its own delivery fleet and partnerships with food aggregator apps. JFL targets INR 1,000 crore in sales from Popeyes, capitalising on India's significant non-vegetarian market. The move reflects JFL's strategic expansion efforts and highlights the growing demand for fried chicken in India's quick service restaurant (QSR) sector.
Chandni Chowk in New Delhi now features Popeyes, thanks to Jubilant FoodWorks Limited (JFL), the master franchise holder for Domino's Pizza and Dunkin' Donuts in India. This represents the brand's first step into the national capital area after its 2022 debut in India. Over the next few weeks, Popeyes intends to expand its reach to Jasola, Faridabad, and Gurugram, among other places.
Popeyes is aiming to use its own delivery fleet, which includes zero-emission cars, and partnerships with well-known food aggregator apps like Zomato and Swiggy to provide efficient service. Popeyes is now operating in Chandigarh and southern cities including Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, and Manipal.
JFL revealed its ambitious aim last year to open 250 Popeyes locations throughout India in 4–5 years, with 50 new locations scheduled to open in FY24 with sales goals of INR 1,000 crore. Jubilant FoodWorks CEO and MD Sameer Khetarpal draws attention to the sizable non-vegetarian population in India, the majority of whom choose chicken. He points out that an organised player like Popeyes has a significant development opportunity as a significant portion of this market is currently unorganised.
The Indian quick service restaurant (QSR) market is expected to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18%, with fried chicken companies owning a little, but growing, 15% market share, according to Mordor Intelligence. By 2024, the market is expected to reach USD 25.4 billion. Thirty to forty percent of the fast-food sector is made up of delivery-based sales, with the remaining portion going toward dine-in and takeout. According to Elara Capital's Senior Vice President Karan Taurani, fried chicken brands such as Popeyes could surpass pizza chains in terms of new store acceptance and expansion, which would result in higher same-store sales growth.
Popeyes competes with well-established businesses like KFC, which presently holds a dominant position in the industry, in important markets like Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab, where it sees tremendous potential. Punjab in particular, according to Pramod Damodaran, CEO of Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge and former Head of Restaurant Excellence at KFC, offers Popeyes a profitable chance because of its tremendous market potential.
Popeyes' arrival in Delhi is a symbol of JFL's deliberate expansion attempts, capitalising on the expanding fried chicken industry in India's thriving QSR sector. With its ambitious ambitions for growth, effective delivery system, and emphasis on high-quality products, Popeyes hopes to establish a sizable market share and grow into a powerful force in the Indian QSR industry.
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