New Orleans cuisine is headed for Fayetteville in early 2007.

Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc. is planning to open a new fast-casual hybrid concept, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

The first concept restaurant is scheduled to open in Norcross this month. The second is expected to open in Fayetteville by early next year.

The restaurant expands upon Popeyes’ rich history and entices guests with a variety of authentic Cajun and Creole flavors, while offering the convenience of a quick-serve restaurant.

“With Popeyes’ heritage and culinary experience, we wanted to create a restaurant that would allow our guests to further immerse themselves in the rich culture of New Orleans and provide them with the variety they crave — in the menu, in the atmosphere and even in the ordering process,” said Ken Keymer, president and CEO of Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits.

“From the expanded menu to the atmosphere to the aromas, flavors and images, we hope our new restaurant provides our guests with that ‘little something extra’ the Cajuns call lagniappe,” Keymer said.

The first Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen location opens on Dec. 12, 2006, at 7050 Jimmy Carter Blvd. in Norcross, Ga. A second restaurant, in Fayetteville, Ga., is planned for early 2007.

Both locations will offer Popeyes’ traditional menu items, along with new recipes such as New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp, Voodoo BBQ Ribs, Red Bean & Sausage Soup served in a bread bowl, signature Cajun burgers, Bayou Blackened Catfish, Big Easy Grilled shrimp skewers and N’awlins Bread Pudding.

Guests will also have the opportunity to be their own culinary artists and customize their meals at the Sauce Bar.

“Consumers increasingly are looking for authentic experiences, while seeking out foods that are distinct, rich and bold in flavor,” said Popeyes Executive Chef Billy Jacob. “Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen will satisfy consumers’ ever-changing palate and offer a menu featuring recipes that create bold flavor experiences and embody the rich heritage of Cajun- and Creole-inspired cuisine.”

Popeyes’ Louisiana Kitchen also will offer innovative ordering methods, enabling guests to place orders at new, in-restaurant self-serve ordering kiosks and call ahead for car-side “To Geaux,” along with traditional in-restaurant front-counter service and drive-thru ordering.

In addition to these ordering options, the restaurant will feature the Cajun Connection, free wireless Internet connectivity, for guests dining at the restaurant. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen also will offer a 50 percent discount on any entree to uniformed Norcross police officers and uniformed Gwinnett County firefighters.

“We are thrilled that Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen chose Norcross as the location for its first restaurant, and we look forward to the business becoming a local institution,” said City of Norcross Council member Charlie Riehm. “Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen will be a wonderful boost for the community.”

Founded in 1972, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits is a leader in the New Orleans segment of the foodservice industry and is the world’s second-largest quick- service chicken concept based on number of units.

As of Oct. 1, 2006, Popeyes had 1,845 locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and 24 foreign countries. Visit Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits’ Web site at http://www.popeyes.com, and the new concept restaurant at http://www.louisianakitchen.com.

— From press release.

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