Popeyes is putting the final preparations on its new restaurant in Bishop Auckland opening tomorrow - see inside.

The New Orleans-founded chain will open at the new Fieldon Bridge retail park on Wednesday (March 13) at 11am.

Bosses are expecting customers to queue outside ahead of the opening, with the first three customers through the drive thru and the first three on foot winning a year's free chicken sandwiches.

The restaurant and drive-thru is the first tenant opening at the new retail park, with others set to arrive this summer.

Inside is seating for 50 diners with additional seating outdoors.

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

Customers can also order on JustEat and UberEats from tomorrow.

Diners can expect the menu items including Popeye's famous chicken sandwich, milkshakes, cajun fries, savoury biscuits and chicken tenders.

It will become the brand's second location in the region after opening at the Metrocentre in August 2022.

Neil Williamson, Popeyes’ Newcastle-born Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are thrilled to bring Popeyes to Bishop Auckland, marking our second venture in the North East.”

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROW

The Northern Echo: First look at Popeyes as they prepare to open at Bishop Auckland Retail Park TOMORROWThe Bishop Auckland site will also serve a breakfast menu consisting of rolls, muffins and hash browns.

The new Drive-Thru restaurant is located in the new Fieldon Bridge Retail & Leisure Park development in Bishop Auckland, DL14 9AA.

Other tenants signed up include Home Bargains, The Range and Pure Gym.