Popeyes In Mérida Escalates Chicken Sandwich Wars

Popeyes is bringing its Louisiana-style fried chicken to Mérida. Construction crews are building the restaurant’s first location in Yucatán’s capital on Calle 41 x 34 in the La Castellana neighborhood behind the Galeria Mall and Via Montejo.

Construction is moving quickly, with local reports suggesting an opening could come soon. The restaurant will occupy a standalone building designed in the chain’s signature architectural style. What’s not known is if they will deliver on Rappi or Uber Eats, like chicken-sandwich rivals Church’s, Flamante and KFC.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen first arrived in Mexico in 2021, starting with a single location in Guadalajara. The chain has since expanded aggressively across the country as part of a broader strategy to establish itself in Latin America’s fast-food market.

Popeye's Mexico — Guadalajara was Popeyes first Mexico branch.Photo: Courtesy

In October 2025, parent company Restaurant Brands International announced plans to open more than 300 Popeyes locations throughout Mexico over the next decade. The expansion covers four regions: Northwest, West, Central, and Southeast. Grupo Berny, one of the franchisees managing the Southeast region, is likely behind the Mérida location.

“Mexico represents a tremendous growth opportunity for Popeyes,” Duncan Montero, RBI’s Latin America president, said in a statement announcing the expansion. “We’re confident in our ability to win in Mexico over the long term.”

The Miami-based chain distinguishes itself from other fast-food chicken restaurants through its preparation method. Popeyes marinates its chicken in Louisiana seasonings for at least 12 hours before battering and frying it. The process was developed in New Orleans, where founder Al Copeland opened the first Popeyes in 1972.

The restaurant’s signature item, the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich, launched in 2019 and became a viral sensation in the United States. The sandwich sparked what food media dubbed the “chicken sandwich wars,” prompting competitors like Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s and Wendy’s to revamp their own offerings. That competition has now spread to Mérida.

Popeyes will enter a crowded field. KFC and Church’s already operate multiple locations throughout the city. Wendy’s recently opened in Xcanatún, and Canadian chain Mary Brown’s Chicken is building its first Mexican location on the Progreso highway. Local restaurants like Flamante and Mitica also compete in what has become Mérida’s own chicken sandwich war.

The competition reflects broader changes in Mérida’s dining landscape. International chains have increasingly targeted the city as its population and tourism continue growing. The northern neighborhoods, in particular, have attracted restaurant development in recent years.

Popeyes now operates more than 5,000 locations worldwide across 45 countries. The brand became part of Restaurant Brands International in 2017 when the Canadian company acquired it for $1.8 billion. RBI also owns Burger King and Tim Hortons.

The Mérida location will serve the chain’s standard menu of fried chicken, chicken tenders, biscuits, and sides like red beans and rice, Cajun fries, and coleslaw. Mexican locations typically adapt the menu slightly for local tastes while maintaining the core Louisiana-style recipes.

Popeyes will enter a competitive market that has seen rapid growth in recent years. The city’s restaurant scene has expanded significantly, particularly in the northern neighborhoods where the new location sits. The La Castellana area already hosts several established restaurants and commercial developments, making it a logical choice for the chain’s first Yucatán location.

The neighborhood has good road access and is near residential areas with a growing middle-class population. That demographic has driven demand for both traditional Mexican food and international dining options in recent years.

No official opening date has been announced. The construction timeline suggests the restaurant could open within the next few months, though neither Popeyes nor Grupo Berny has confirmed specific plans.

The arrival of Popeyes adds to Mérida’s evolving dining landscape. While the city maintains its reputation for traditional Yucatecan cuisine, it has welcomed diverse international options. Fast-food chains from the United States have found success here, as have restaurants offering Italian, Japanese, and other international cuisines.

For now, locals curious about Louisiana-style fried chicken will need to wait. But construction crews working on Calle 41 suggest that the wait won’t be much longer.