By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Popeyes, which is known for its fried chicken, has announced that it will be coming to Hays in the first quarter of 2023.
The restaurant will be in the strip mall in front of the Hilton Garden Inn, 213 W. 43rd.
Popeyes has 15 locations in Kansas. The nearest locations to Hays are Garden City and Salina.
Popeyes is noted for its New Orleans-style foods, serving fried chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp and other regional items, according to its parent company, Restaurant Brands International's website.
RBI also owns the Burger King, Tim Hortons and Firehouse Subs chains.
Popeyes would bring back fast-food chicken to Hays. KFC closed in Hays in March 2021.
"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.
"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."
Clingan said he is confident the rest of that strip mall will fill quickly. This is the first business to announce locating in that building.
"I think that is the next step in growing that development," he said. "We're excited to have them come aboard."