Is Popeyes Actually Opening A Duluth Location In 2023?
It's been nearly two years since we first heard the news that a Popeyes location would be opening in the Duluth area! However, ever since the news first broke in early 2021, there hasn't been much traction on the fast food chain.
In the years that have followed, there have been little details about when this would actually come to fruition. The new restaurant was set to be part of a new development along Central Entrance in Duluth but a few months after the announcement, things hit a snag.
At the time, it was reported that there were issues with the proposed drive-thru for the fast food restaurant. Popeyes wanted a two lane drive-thru but that would have to go through a zoning change because the city only allows for one. Popeyes representatives called it a "definite concern" and it seemed plans were scrapped for the time being.
In May of last year, I tracked down the right person to talk to about the project - someone who works for the company working with the new Popeyes location. At the time, they told me that while the new Popeyes wasn't under construction yet, it "probably" would be by the end of the year.
Now that the new year has passed without any word on the location or construction on the spot, I decided to reach out again. I am impatient so I wanted to know what the deal was. Also, I see so many people inquiring about it I wanted to get to the bottom of things.
I reached out again and asked if it was still happening and if so, what the timeline would be. I was told that the new Popeyes is happening! As for when, this is what I was told:
Starting of the project will be sometime in July 2023
How long it will take to complete the project is not known but at least now we know that plans for the new Popeyes is indeed still in the works and that it will begin at some point this summer!
Keep in mind that at this point last year, I was told the same thing but obviously with major construction projects like this, things take time and hit snags in the planning and building process. I hope this timeline holds true, though!
Popeyes is famous for their chicken sandwiches. They are such a hot commodity that back when they launched this notorious sandwich, people were fighting over it all over the nation. Customers went nuts and it was constantly front page news, as there was seemingly too much demand and not enough supply.