18‑hour queues as Popeyes opens in Swansea

Hundreds of fried chicken fans queued through the night as Popeyes opened its doors in Swansea today, with some waiting up to 18 hours to be first inside.

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Queues stretched down Oxford Street as Popeyes opened its new Swansea restaurant, with some fans waiting 18 hours to be first inside.

Fans camped out overnight

The new restaurant on Oxford Street officially opened at 11am on Friday (3 October), but the first customer had already been in line since 5pm the evening before.

Second in line was Brandon, a Swansea local who queued from 6pm. He said:

“I first tried Popeyes in America, where I used to live, and I loved it. I’m so excited that we’ve got one in Swansea now – I live really close, so I reckon I’ll be coming back every other day!”

His friend Lucas, also from the US, added:

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“Popeyes is very nostalgic for me – it’s my favourite chicken shop, and I love the biscuits, so I knew I had to be here when it opened.”

Three Popeyes superfans at the Swansea opening, celebrating with branded merchandise after winning a year’s free Chicken Sandwiches.
Three superfans at the front of the queue won a year’s supply of Popeyes Chicken Sandwiches, with branded merchandise handed out to those behind them.

A New Orleans welcome

The launch was marked with a Mardi Gras‑style performance from brass band The Brass Funkeys, bringing a taste of New Orleans to the city centre.

The Swansea branch is the fourth Popeyes in Wales, following Cardiff and Newport, and the 37th UK opening this year.

Musicians playing saxophone and trombones in a New Orleans‑style brass band outside Popeyes Swansea during the opening celebrations.
A Mardi Gras‑style brass band brought the spirit of New Orleans to Swansea, with saxophone and trombone players entertaining the opening‑day crowd.

What’s on the menu

Customers can now tuck into the brand’s famous Chicken Sandwich, along with wraps, hot wings and tenders – all made with chicken marinated for 12 hours in Louisiana seasonings and hand‑breaded for Popeyes’ signature “shatter‑crunch.”

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A breakfast menu is also available daily from 8am to 10am, including a £1.99 meal deal of a bacon roll, Cajun hash brown and drink, available exclusively through the Popeyes UK app.

“The energy in Swansea was incredible”

Tom Crowley, Chief Executive Officer of Popeyes UK, said:

“Wales has once again shown us how much love there is for Popeyes, and this opening marks another exciting step in our growth journey. The energy in Swansea today was incredible, and we’re really happy to have successfully brought the spirit of New Orleans to a new city.”

Crowds queuing along Oxford Street, Swansea, for the opening of the new Popeyes restaurant on 3 October 2025.
Queues stretched around the corner of Oxford Street as hundreds waited for the opening of Swansea’s new Popeyes restaurant.

Where to find it

The new Popeyes is located at 6‑7 Whitewalls, Oxford Street, Swansea, in the former Topshop building.

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