Popeyes to open Swansea restaurant in former Topshop building this October
The Louisiana fried chicken chain will open at 6â7 Whitewalls, Oxford Street, in the former Topshop and Topman store on the corner of Oxford Street and Whitewalls. The site closed in 2020 when Arcadia went into administration and was purchased by Swansea.com development company in January 2024. The firm, which also holds the stadium naming rights for Swansea City AFCâs home ground, has been working with Caredig Housing Association on a major redevelopment of the building.
The upper floors are being converted into 15 modern apartments, while the ground floor has been divided into three new commercial units. PopeyesÂŽ will be the first national operator confirmed for the site, which Swansea.com says is a key part of wider city centre regeneration.
Popeyes on the ground floor of the former Topshop and Topman store on the corner of Oxford Street and Whitewalls in Swansea
(Image: Swansea Bay News)Fourth Welsh opening The Swansea branch will be Popeyesâ fourth restaurant in Wales, joining existing sites in Cardiff city centre, Cardiff Bay and Newport. It will also be the brandâs 37th UK opening this year.
Opening day giveaways To celebrate the launch, PopeyesÂŽ UK is offering:
- Free Chicken Sandwiches for a year for the first three people in the queue
- Exclusive PopeyesÂŽ UK merchandise for the first 50 customers
- A free Chicken Sandwich for the first 100 customers
Queues of up to 16 hours were reported at previous Welsh openings, and Swansea is expected to see similar demand. A Mardi Grasâstyle performance from The Brass Funkeys will bring a New Orleans flavour to the launch event.
On the menu The restaurant will serve PopeyesÂŽ favourites including the Chicken Sandwich, Signature Wraps, Hot Wings and Tenders, all made with 100% fresh chicken marinated for 12 hours in Louisiana seasonings and handâbreaded for its signature âshatterâcrunch.â
A breakfast menu will also be available daily from 8am to 10am, including a ÂŁ1.99 meal deal of a Bacon Roll, Cajun Hash Brown and drink, available exclusively via the PopeyesÂŽ UK app.
Tom Crowley, Chief Executive Officer of PopeyesÂŽ UK, said: âWales is a key growth area for PopeyesÂŽ, and the passion and excitement from Welsh fans never disappoints â from Cardiff to Newport, people have waited 16 hours for a taste of our famous Chicken Sandwiches. Bringing the New Orleans spirit to Swansea feels like the perfect next step.â
Latest in a wave of US chains PopeyesÂŽ is the latest American fast food brand to launch in Swansea. In recent years the city has welcomed:
- Dennyâs, which opened its first UK restaurant at Parc Tawe in December 2017
- Taco Bell, which opened on Oxford Street in 2021
- Tim Hortons, the Canadian coffee chain, which opened in Swansea Enterprise Park in December 2022
- Wingstop, the US chicken wing chain, which opened on Wind Street on Monday 3 February 2025
- Slim Chickens, which opened on Wind Street on Thursday 26 June 2025
- Carlâs Jr., the Californian burger chain, which opened its first Swansea restaurant on Wind Street on Thursday 4 September 2025
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Fried chicken restaurant Popeyes to open in Swansea
Chain confirms plans for a Swansea site as part of wider UK expansion.
Carlâs Jr. to open first Swansea restaurant as part of UK expansion
Iconic Californian burger chain launches on Wind Street.
Slim Chickens to open new Swansea restaurant âbringing southern comfort to the cityâs favourite party streetâ
US fried chicken brand opens on Wind Street with giveaways and jobs boost.
Highlyâanticipated chicken restaurant Wingstop set to open in Swansea
US chicken wing chain confirms Wind Street opening in February 2025.
#AmericanFastFood #apartments #BrassFunkeys #Caredig #chicken #ChickenSandwich #ChickenWings #development #fastFood #featured #friedChicken #Popeyes #restaurant #socialHousing #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCom #takeaway