Oldham's first Popeyes opens tomorrow with free chicken sandwiches

Chicken sandwich fans in Oldham are in for a treat tomorrow as Popeyes opens its doors at Elk Mill Shopping Park, bringing the Louisiana-style fried chicken chain to town for the first time. The restaurant, which has taken over the former Pizza Hut building, will open at 11am on Friday, February 27, with a launch day giveaway that's already drawing attention from early birds.

The first four customers to arrive on foot and in the parking bays will win free deluxe chicken sandwiches for an entire year, while the first 50 will receive Popeyes merchandise and the first 100 will get a free sandwich. Based on the Bolton opening earlier this year, where people started queuing at 2am, Oldham residents might want to set their alarms early if they're hoping to claim one of these prizes.

This marks Popeyes' sixth UK opening of 2026 and its fifth restaurant in Greater Manchester, following recent launches in Bolton, with more planned for Piccadilly Station and Trafford Retail Park. The Oldham location will serve halal-certified chicken that's marinated for 12 hours in Louisiana seasoning before being hand-breaded and battered, offering locals a taste of New Orleans-style hospitality right here in Greater Manchester.

Tom Crowley, Popeyes UK CEO, said the company is excited to bring the same launch-day energy to Oldham that has been seen across Greater Manchester. The opening creates new job opportunities and adds another dining option to Elk Mill Shopping Park, though it may also increase traffic and parking demand in the area. For chicken lovers willing to brave the early morning queues, tomorrow could be the start of a very tasty year.