Fried chicken fans in southwest Houston might want to start planning ahead. Popeyes is lining up a new quick-service restaurant at 2820 Hillcroft Ave, with construction expected to kick off in May 2026 and wrap by February 2027. If everything stays on schedule, the Hillcroft spot is slated to open in early 2027.
The address and construction timeline appear in a recently filed permit, according to WhatNow. The outlet reports that the permit lists 2820 Hillcroft Ave and sets a May 2026 start date, with completion targeted for February 2027.
Popeyes' footprint and history
Popeyes traces its roots to the early 1970s, when founder Al Copeland opened the first location in Arabi, Louisiana, according to Wikipedia. The brand has grown far beyond its Gulf Coast beginnings. Restaurant Brands International's 2024 filings show that Popeyes operated roughly 4,979 restaurants worldwide as of December 31, 2024.
The chain’s profile jumped to a new level in 2019 when its spicy chicken sandwich went viral and fueled a national fast food chicken battle, according to Good Morning America.
What the Hillcroft build could mean
Hillcroft is already a busy corridor packed with restaurants and retail, and the new Popeyes would add another quick-service option to the mix along with more drive-thru traffic. Other Popeyes projects have been surfacing across Greater Houston in recent months, including a planned Tomball location reported by the Houston Chronicle. The Hillcroft build appears to be part of a broader regional expansion involving both franchise groups and corporate development.
What the company says
The Popeyes careers site states that "Popeyes® is not like most fast food chains," and emphasizes freshly prepared food and long-standing recipes, according to Popeyes. If the permitting process and construction timeline hold, the Hillcroft restaurant is expected to join the chain’s Houston lineup in early 2027.
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