The first Popeyes Philippines store is imminent.

Popeyes, the US fast-food chain, has signed a master franchise agreement for the country with local operator Kuya J Holdings.

Popeyes’ president Alexandre Santoro said he believed the brand’s friend chicken offer will resonate well with guests in the Philippines.

Kuya J Group’s chairman Lowell L Yu said: “The Philippines is a large and growing market, and we are looking forward to serving the high-quality food that Popeyes offers to the country’s more than 100 million people.”

Popeyes was founded in 1972 and serves cuisine based on its Louisiana heritage. It has more than 2900 restaurants in the US and around the world. In Asia it is already established in Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

It is expected the first Popeyes Philippines store will open in Manila.

Inside Retail Asia