**Jubilant FoodWorks Plans Aggressive Expansion for Popeyes in India**
Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, the operator of Domino’s Pizza in India and select international markets, announced its ambitious plan to open 30 to 50 new Popeyes outlets annually. The company aims to accelerate the growth of both its pizza chain and the Popeyes brand, while temporarily pausing the expansion of Dunkin’ and Hong’s Kitchen to reassess their market strategies.
In an interview, Sameer Khetarpal, CEO and Managing Director of Jubilant FoodWorks, stated, “We want to open 30-50 stores every year. We are just constrained by real estate availability.” He emphasized the challenges of securing suitable locations for a new brand like Popeyes, noting that prime high street or mall locations are essential for success.
On the same day, Jubilant opened four new Popeyes locations in Mumbai. The Popeyes brand is part of Restaurant Brands International Inc., a Canadian fast-food company. Jubilant FoodWorks entered into an exclusive master franchise agreement in 2021 to develop and operate Popeyes restaurants in India and other markets.
Popeyes made its debut in India in January 2022 with a restaurant in Bengaluru and has since expanded to over 60 locations in major cities. It has quickly become the fastest-growing brand for Jubilant FoodWorks, second only to Domino’s. The company operates in various markets, including India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Khetarpal expressed optimism about the brand’s growth, stating, “In the next six to nine months, we should reach 100 stores for Popeyes. We are seeing good growth and improving margins. The brand is on track to scale.”
Currently, the company has paused expansion for Dunkin’ and Hong’s Kitchen, with both chains maintaining 30 stores each. Khetarpal explained, “We won’t expand until we fix the customer value proposition. There is a market for both formats, but we need to determine our focus areas. Expansion will primarily occur in Domino’s and Popeyes.”
Jubilant FoodWorks has not yet released its earnings for the June quarter, but a recent update indicated a consolidated revenue of ₹2,261.4 crore, reflecting a 17% year-on-year increase. The company’s network comprises 3,389 stores, with 73 new additions in the last three months. Domino’s India alone opened 61 new stores, bringing its total to 2,240, with a like-for-like growth of 11.6% for the quarter.
Khetarpal noted, “We had a good quarter. Dine-in as a channel is growing.” The company is also focusing on enhancing customer experience by promoting 20-minute deliveries in select cities and offering free delivery options to cater to increasingly value-conscious consumers.
**FAQ**
**What is Jubilant FoodWorks’ expansion plan for Popeyes in India?**
Jubilant FoodWorks plans to open 30 to 50 new Popeyes outlets each year, aiming to reach 100 stores within the next six to nine months.
