Technology

Popeyes accelerates UK expansion with AI-powered workforce tools and new Bromley store

Sunday, 26 October 2025 1:07AM UTC

American fried chicken chain Popeyes is rapidly expanding across the UK, opening a new Bromley outlet as part of a wider strategy that leverages AI technology to boost operational efficiency amid growing consumer demand for fast-casual dining.

American fried chicken giant Popeyes continues to accelerate its expansion across the UK with a forthcoming store in Bromley, South East London. This new location follows the launch of a high street branch in nearby Eltham in August and is part of an ambitious rollout plan to open 45 new restaurants nationwide throughout 2025. The Bromley store, situated at 12-13 Market Square near The Glades shopping centre, has completed its fit-out, including the installation of self-service kiosks, with staff training now underway ahead of an imminent opening. This growth builds on a successful 2024, when the chain opened 33 locations across the UK, collectively generating over £118 million in sales.

Popeyes’ rapid UK expansion reflects rising demand for fast-casual dining options and the brand’s increasing popularity, dovetailing with broader trends in the foodservice industry. The chain’s embrace of technology is notably exemplified by its partnership with Sona, a company providing an AI-powered workforce management system designed to enhance operational efficiency. Earlier this year, Popeyes UK began rolling out Sona’s suite, which includes forecasting, productivity tracking, auto-scheduling, as well as HR and payroll management, across its UK and soon Irish stores.

Sona’s COO Steffen Wulff Petersen expressed enthusiasm about working with Popeyes UK’s leadership, highlighting a cultural alignment and the chain’s desire for next-generation workforce management tools to support their ambitious growth strategy. According to Petersen, Popeyes COO Neil Williamson and his team were keen to adopt modern technology that could sustain the company’s rapid expansion while maintaining high standards in workforce productivity and customer service.

This technological advancement is part of a wider digital transformation wave within retail and hospitality, where AI innovations are becoming integral to business processes. The Retail Tech Innovation Hub has recently launched its AI in Retail Awards, recognising companies that harness AI to deliver tangible operational improvements and superior shopping experiences. The awards underscore 2025 as a pivotal year for AI adoption, particularly generative AI, moving beyond hype to deliver everyday value for retailers, employees, and consumers alike.

Popeyes UK’s integration of AI-driven workforce management alongside its aggressive physical expansion highlights a dual focus on scaling its footprint while elevating operational agility. This strategy positions the chain well in the competitive fast-casual market, where efficiency, staff engagement, and digital innovation can be key differentiators. With the Bromley store’s opening imminent, Popeyes UK is set to further consolidate its presence and capitalise on growing consumer appetite for American-style fried chicken in the UK.

📌 Reference Map:

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2025/10/25/american-fried-chicken-giant-popeyes-set-to-open-bromley-store-as-uk-growth-continues-apace - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2025/10/25/american-fried-chicken-giant-popeyes-set-to-open-bromley-store-as-uk-growth-continues-apace - Popeyes UK is set to open a new store in Bromley, South East London, following the launch of a nearby Eltham high street location in August. This expansion is part of the chain's plan to open 45 new restaurants across the UK in 2025, building on the 33 locations opened in 2024, which collectively generated over £118 million in sales. The Bromley store is situated at 12-13 Market Square, near The Glades shopping centre. The store's fit-out, including self-service kiosks, has been completed, and staff training is underway, indicating an imminent opening.
https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2025/10/25/american-fried-chicken-giant-popeyes-set-to-open-bromley-store-as-uk-growth-continues-apace - Popeyes UK is set to open a new store in Bromley, South East London, following the launch of a nearby Eltham high street location in August. This expansion is part of the chain's plan to open 45 new restaurants across the UK in 2025, building on the 33 locations opened in 2024, which collectively generated over £118 million in sales. The Bromley store is situated at 12-13 Market Square, near The Glades shopping centre. The store's fit-out, including self-service kiosks, has been completed, and staff training is underway, indicating an imminent opening.
https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2025/10/25/american-fried-chicken-giant-popeyes-set-to-open-bromley-store-as-uk-growth-continues-apace - Popeyes UK is set to open a new store in Bromley, South East London, following the launch of a nearby Eltham high street location in August. This expansion is part of the chain's plan to open 45 new restaurants across the UK in 2025, building on the 33 locations opened in 2024, which collectively generated over £118 million in sales. The Bromley store is situated at 12-13 Market Square, near The Glades shopping centre. The store's fit-out, including self-service kiosks, has been completed, and staff training is underway, indicating an imminent opening.
https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2025/10/25/american-fried-chicken-giant-popeyes-set-to-open-bromley-store-as-uk-growth-continues-apace - Popeyes UK is set to open a new store in Bromley, South East London, following the launch of a nearby Eltham high street location in August. This expansion is part of the chain's plan to open 45 new restaurants across the UK in 2025, building on the 33 locations opened in 2024, which collectively generated over £118 million in sales. The Bromley store is situated at 12-13 Market Square, near The Glades shopping centre. The store's fit-out, including self-service kiosks, has been completed, and staff training is underway, indicating an imminent opening.
https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2025/10/25/american-fried-chicken-giant-popeyes-set-to-open-bromley-store-as-uk-growth-continues-apace - Popeyes UK is set to open a new store in Bromley, South East London, following the launch of a nearby Eltham high street location in August. This expansion is part of the chain's plan to open 45 new restaurants across the UK in 2025, building on the 33 locations opened in 2024, which collectively generated over £118 million in sales. The Bromley store is situated at 12-13 Market Square, near The Glades shopping centre. The store's fit-out, including self-service kiosks, has been completed, and staff training is underway, indicating an imminent opening.
https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2025/10/25/american-fried-chicken-giant-popeyes-set-to-open-bromley-store-as-uk-growth-continues-apace - Popeyes UK is set to open a new store in Bromley, South East London, following the launch of a nearby Eltham high street location in August. This expansion is part of the chain's plan to open 45 new restaurants across the UK in 2025, building on the 33 locations opened in 2024, which collectively generated over £118 million in sales. The Bromley store is situated at 12-13 Market Square, near The Glades shopping centre. The store's fit-out, including self-service kiosks, has been completed, and staff training is underway, indicating an imminent opening.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative is recent, dated October 25, 2025, and reports on Popeyes UK's imminent Bromley store opening. This follows the August 2025 launch in Eltham, indicating a rapid expansion strategy. The report also mentions the completion of the Bromley store's fit-out and ongoing staff training, suggesting imminent opening. No evidence of recycled content or significant discrepancies with earlier publications was found. The narrative appears fresh and original.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from Sona's COO, Steffen Wulff Petersen, and Popeyes UK's COO, Neil Williamson. A search for these quotes reveals no earlier usage, indicating they are original to this report. No variations in wording were found, confirming the quotes are consistent.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative originates from the Retail Technology Innovation Hub, a specialised publication focusing on retail technology. While it is a niche source, it is reputable within its domain. The report cites specific details about the Bromley store's location and operational status, enhancing its credibility.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative aligns with Popeyes UK's previously announced expansion plans for 2025, including the opening of 45 new sites across the UK. The mention of the Bromley store's location and operational status is consistent with these plans. The integration of Sona's AI-powered workforce management system is also plausible, given the industry's trend towards digital transformation. No inconsistencies or implausible claims were identified.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is recent, original, and aligns with Popeyes UK's expansion plans. The quotes are unique to this report, and the source is reputable within its niche. All claims are plausible and supported by available information.

Popeyes
UK expansion
AI workforce management