Between 1,600 and 2,000 people rang in the new year with a new chicken franchise.
Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits opened for four hours on New Year’s Eve before swinging into full operation on New Year’s Day. The restaurant at 1400 W. Sixth Ave. is the former home of KFC.
Popeyes owner Tony Allen said he had hoped to open for business right after Christmas, but plumbing problems held things up. Some old cast-iron pipe had to be replaced, he said, which meant the drive-through area had to be dug up.
Still, he said, the repairs came together faster than he expected.
“We thought it would be several days, but it ended up taking one day,” Allen said.
Because of the delayed opening, Popeyes had 80 cases of chicken it couldn’t use. The food was donated to the Abundant Harvest soup kitchen, the Salvation Army and local churches.
Popeyes is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and keeps its drive-through open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The chain got its start in New Orleans in 1972. It is named for Popeye Doyle of “The French Connection,” although the cartoon character Popeye the Sailor Man was sometimes used in promotions.
person99 (anonymous) says...
All I can say, is it is a great restraunt, very clean, and possibly the best fast-food chicken you can get. Try it, you won't regret it. If you like chicken, you'll love popeyes. And now that it is in emporia, it could very well be a grave fate for Colburns.
January 3, 2007 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JD_number_07 (anonymous) says...
At least I've got chicken!
Leeeerrrrroooyyyy Jeeennnkkkiiiinnns!
January 3, 2007 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporia123 (anonymous) says...
Coburns is great and going no where. Coburns is more than just Chicken. Emporians also like local ownership like Jeff and Brenda. They do so much for the community. If Popeyes hurts anyone it will be KFC.
January 3, 2007 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
siamesefred (anonymous) says...
I agree with KFC being hurt. Not everyone who works in central Emporia wants to drive to the Walmart area for lunch. Popeyes will fill my chicken cravings.
January 12, 2007 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )