See inside Popeyes' Metrocentre Restaurant opening in Yellow Mall

The brand, famous for its Louisiana chicken sandwiches, will open its new flagship Metrocentre restaurant at 11am on Saturday morning (August 20).

Bosses are expecting huge demand ahead of the opening with some fans online saying they plan to camp outside to be first in the queue.

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The American firm first came to the UK in November last year and has already opened three stores in Romford, Chelmsford and Stratford, but the Gateshead Metrocentre venue is the biggest to date with seating for 100 customers.

Popeyes’ Newcastle-born UK Chief Operating Officer Neil Williamson told The Northern Echo: “For me it’s really symbolic that we’re opening in the North East as our fourth restaurant instead of working our way North like other brands.

“It’s taken months of work to get the restaurant ready ahead of the opening on Saturday and we’re really looking forward to it.

“We had three-hour long queues in Stratford all day when we opened and it’s now the busiest Popeyes in the world. Reading social media there are people saying they’re going to camp out overnight on Saturday so I hope we get the same demand from the people of the North East.”

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100 jobs have been created with the opening of the new store and the brand has sought to source ingredients from UK producers.

The first three people in the queue will win a year’s worth of free chicken sandwiches while the first 50 customers will also get a free merchandise bag and chicken sandwich.

Customers can Popeyes’ signature chicken sandwiches, American biscuits and gravy and handmade milkshakes.

Neil added: “The brand has a real following in America, and I hope people will come along and find out what we’re about.

“I believe that our legendary menu and Southern hospitality will really win the hearts and tastebuds of the North East.”

The queue will open at 9am on Saturday with doors opening at 11am. The restaurant will then be open seven days a week.

See inside the new restaurant ahead of its opening on Saturday

The Northern Echo was given a sneak preview inside the new restaurant ahead of opening day. Picture: DANIEL HORDON (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Popeyes can be found in the Yellow Mall Qube in the Metrocentre, at the former KFC site. Picture: DANIEL HORDON

Popeyes' famous Louisiana chicken is the main menu item. Picture: DANIEL HORDON

There is seating for 100 people in the venue. Picture: DANIEL HORDON

Spacious... the Metrocentre store is the biggest in the UK. Picture: DANIEL HORDON

Picture: DANIEL HORDON

100 new jobs have been created at the restaurant. Picture: DANIEL HORDON

Customers can order at the collection area or by using the QR code at their table. Picture: DANIEL HORDON

Eat in or takeout? The collection area at Metrocentre Popeyes. Picture: DANIEL HORDON

A Popeyes iconic chicken sandwich. Picture: DANIEL HORDON

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