International fast-food outlet Popeyes will soon be opening its first store in New Zealand.
The chicken joint, whose food was served by Jay-Z and Beyoncé at their wedding, will open the doors to a new store in Auckland's Takanini in late April.
Popeyes said they intend on opening 10 stores in total across New Zealand throughout 2024.
The restaurant chain, which already has over 4300 stores worldwide, intends to invest $25 million into establishing itself in New Zealand - much of which will go towards local suppliers, the brand said.
Popeyes has also recently opened its first stores in the United Kingdom, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Indonesia and South Korea.
The 10 stores will create 150 new jobs across Aotearoa, it said.
The Takanini store will be 300sqm and encompass a "bespoke multi-million-dollar fit-out" in a prominent corner site.
"We are thrilled to finally share the good news and let Kiwis know; the Chicken Sandwich that broke the internet will finally be ready for Kiwis to try themselves," said Sharn Phillips, head of marketing at Popeyes MF - New Zealand.
Popeyes launched their now-famous fried chicken sandwich in 2019 and within a month had ran out due to high demand.
Some Popeyes restaurants had to establish sandwich-only lines for customers - which led to a deadly incident at one US store.
A customer walked into a Popeyes in Prince George County, Maryland and cut through the sandwich line before being confronted by another customer.
According to CNN, surveillance footage showed the two leaving the store and the customer who cut in line was stabbed seconds later.
The Popeyes brand is owned by mega-company Restaurant Brands International.
Recruitment for the inaugural New Zealand store is already underway. More information can be found at popeyes.co.nz.
