New Orleans chicken chain Popeyes has hinted it could be opening a new outlet in Co Down.
It comes after the fried-chicken brand opened its first location in Northern Ireland at Belfast’s Forestside Shopping Centre last month.
The business created 80 jobs through the launch of the restaurant, but chief executive Tom Crowley said it was looking to open another four or five locations in Northern Ireland, including a flagship city centre restaurant and drive-throughs.
In a recent post on Facebook, Popeyes shared images of two people enjoying its famous chicken asking “what more could y’all want” with a fire emoji.
In response, someone asked: “For Popeyes to open a restaurant near me in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland!!”
Responding to that comment with an eyes emoji, Popeyes teased: “It’s on our radar.”
Watch: Exclusive look inside first Popeyes in Belfast
Popeyes is also eyeing up expansion into the Republic, with Dublin likely a first location.
“We have [been in the UK] for three years, with the first store in 2021 in London. Now we have 55 locations across England, Scotland and Wales — it’s all gone well,” said Mr Crowley.
“We’ve been looking at Belfast all the way along. We know the opportunity and it’s a great city.
“Typically, we will look at the city centre — a big flagship — which we have done in different places. We hope [to open one] as early as next year. Then there are drive-through opportunities.
“A city centre store then two to four drive-throughs, or freestanding units like Forestside. We will see how we trade, but three to five, depending.”
Mr Crowley said the proposed new branches could create between 300 and 400 jobs.
Popeyes has been contacted for a response about the possible Ards location.