TH International (Tims China), the exclusive operator of Tim Hortons coffee shops and Popeyes restaurants in China, has kicked off Popeyes’ statewide growth with the launch of its first flagship location in Shanghai.

The new flagship restaurant in Shanghai opens less than six months after Tims China acquired the official operator and developer rights to the Popeyes brand in China in March. Tims China intends to open at least 10 Popeyes restaurants in Shanghai this year and 1700 across China over the following 10 years. 

The Shanghai flagship restaurant has a modern design that combines the Popeyes brand’s characteristic orange with a new teal tint called “Nola teal”. With a New Orleans-style balcony, colourful artwork, and jazz music, the store design reflects the “exuberant and carefree atmosphere of the Big Easy, mixing cuisine, music, and fun in a brand image aimed to appeal to the younger generation of consumers” the brand said.

“Our high-traffic location in Shanghai and our sensational grand opening – featuring a jazz band and lots of Louisiana flavour – are already creating significant buzz around the brand, which will provide momentum for our upcoming expansion,” said Yongchen Lu, CEO of Tims China.

“Our proven track record of opening 700 Tims stores over the past four years shows how our team can deliver on an accelerated growth strategy. Adding Popeyes to the Tims China portfolio will deliver economies of scale and supply chain synergies for both brands, driving further growth for our company.”

According to the company, the Tims China team has used its local expertise in China’s quick-service restaurant market to modify Popeyes’ menus, restaurant design, and eating experience for the Chinese consumer. The new menu combines Cajun traditions with local Chinese flavours, such as sweet chilli chicken, golden cheese and chicken nuggets, and a Longjing tea-based pomelo milkshake.