By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
The wait for New Orleans-style fried chicken in Hays is over, as Popeyes opened its doors this week.
Located in a recently constructed strip mall south of the Hilton Garden Inn, 221 W. 43rd, Core Hospitality Group owns and operates both the restaurant and hotel.
After opening as a drive-through only last Wednesday, the dining room is now open. The reception has been great, according to John Adams, director of operations for the location.
Last year, the restaurant chain celebrated its 50th anniversary and has been expanding into new locations. The Hays location marks the first for Core Hospitality Group.
With the location, they hope to be a draw for the local community and interstate travel.
"I think it is going to be an addition to what Hays already has as far as attracting that pull factor coming off the interstate," said David Clingan, Grow Hays director of recruitment and retention at the time the location was announced.
"As people are traveling, they are going to see that restaurant, and it's going to be another attraction for people to take that exit, stop and eat and either stay at hotels or have that shopping experience that is already around that area. I think that is going to be a win-win for Hays."
Adams said the reception to the new restaurant has been good, as word spread of the opening and people patiently queued up to try Popeye’s version of New Orleans–style fried chicken.
“Popeyes owes its beginnings to entrepreneur and culinary innovator, Al Copeland. With one small restaurant and a big idea, Copeland introduced the New Orleans–style fried chicken that has now made the brand famous throughout the world,” according to the Popeyes website.
“Our culinary heritage is built upon the rich Cajun and Creole flavor profiles that are unmistakably Louisiana. We continuously draw upon and celebrate this heritage to inspire new, authentic menu creations the world craves.”
The chain features fresh fried chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp and sides.
Unlike some of the brand's direct competitors, the chicken is never frozen, Adams said.
And in 2019, Popeyes launched its now-famous Chicken Sandwich.
“It was nothing short of a sensation,” the company said.
While their unique offerings have driven the brand to include over 2,700 U.S.-based restaurants and more than 1,000 more internationally, for Core Hospital Vice President Sumit Patel, the operation is as much about quality food as it is creating economic opportunities for the city.
"We are proud to have our first Popeyes in Hays," Patel said.
The location currently employs 42 area residents, with the company employing around 60 at the next-door hotel, which also includes the Garden Grille restaurant.
"Our company understands that without them, no task can be completed properly, and we support them as much as we can,” Adams said.
To find those employees, he said they had engaged with area schools, Fort Hays State University and other community organizations to find high-quality employees, spreading business cards celebrating staff members that offered good customer service at other Hays locations.
And Patel said he believes the location is offering the highest starting wage in Hays for a quick-service restaurant at $14 an hour, with opportunities for wage increases. As the operations look to open more locations in Kansas, he said there would be opportunities for advancement within their entire operation as they look to open more Popeyes locations and within their current operations.
With the recent opening, the location is overstaffed as the crews continue learning the ins and outs of the operation, but he said they have already been beating delivery time and quality standards set for the brand. And delivery options through companies like Door Dash and Uber Eats will come online soon.
The restaurant is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., with dine-in hours from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
