Popeyes announces its intention to expand the business into Kazakhstan

Popeyes, an American fast-food chain, is going to open tens of restaurants in Kazakhstan, according to Eldar Abdrazakov, a Kazakhstani businessman and head of Centras Group, a company that has been granted exclusive rights to represent the chain in Kazakhstan.

«We’re excited to introduce our brand in Kazakhstan with Eldar Abdrazakov, a highly reputable local investor. This is the first deal for Popeyes in Central Asia, representing a gateway for the region and opening-up new expansion opportunities for the brand in the coming years,» said Thiago Santelmo, President of RBI EMEA, parent company of Popeyes, Burger King, Tim Hortons and Firehouse Subs.

In turn, Centras Group said it is going to create «thousands of jobs in the construction, transportation and logistics sectors, as well as food industry and service spheres» with the help of the Popeyes brand.

However, Centras has not provided any specific timeline for the first Popeyes restaurant in Kazakhstan. In 2023, RBI EMEA is planning to enter the markets of France, Poland and the Czech Republic.

The Popeyes fast food chain was established in 1972 in New Orleans. As of 2021, Popeyes controlled 3,700 restaurants in the U.S. and 30 other countries all over the world.

Eldar Abdrazakov is the owner of Centras Group, a parent company for Kommesk Omir, Centras Kommesk Life, Centras Insurance, Centras Securities, Centras Capital, SOS Medical Assistance and the Centras venture fund.

In November, McDonald’s, the key competitor to Popeyes, suspended its operation in Kazakhstan due to supply chain disruption in Russia. Later, Aset Mashanov, head of Food Solutions KZ, a McDonald’s franchise holder in Kazakhstan, said that the chain is going to restart next year.