Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits announced December 2 the expansion of its stable of Cajun concepts with the opening of the Popeyes Cajun Cafe™ at Southlake Mall in Atlanta.

Popeyes Cajun Cafe™ is designed to provide the brand with a concept that can be developed in malls, foodcourts, universities, arenas and entertainment complexes across the United States.

The menu at Popeyes Cajun Cafe™ is anchored by authentic “one pot cooking” items, such as jambalayas and etouffees, and is designed to provide today’s consumer with a timely meal solution that is a cut above normal quick service cuisine. The menu is complimented with an array of signature side items, salads and desserts.

“The Popeyes name brings to mind some of the time-honored culinary traditions of southern Louisiana, and our goal is to shape and define the emerging Cajun segment,” said Jon Luther, president of Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits. “Popeyes Cajun Cafe™ concept is a perfect complement to our existing Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and Cajun Kitchen concepts as we develop a stable of Cajun concepts.”

Popeyes plans to develop eight Popeyes Cajun Cafe™ locations over the next two years with the majority of the planned development coming through franchising. Early development of the concept will focus on shopping malls throughout the United States.

“This concept, along with the Cajun Kitchen concept, will allow our existing franchise partners to expand their own portfolio of restaurants,” Luther said. “Additionally, we have developed a concept that will allow us to enter venues where a traditional Popeyes location would not be feasible.”

The Popeyes Cajun Cafe™ concept is the second new concept that Popeyes has developed in 1999. Earlier this year, the company opened the first Cajun Kitchen location in the Chicago suburb of Rolling Meadows. The Cajun Kitchen concept was developed in conjunction with noted restaurant developer Rich Melman and his Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) team and serves as Popeyes’ entry into the emerging “fast casual” segment. The second Cajun Kitchen location is scheduled to open in Atlanta during the 1st quarter of 2000.

Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, is a division of AFC Enterprises and operates the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, Cajun Kitchen and Cajun Cafe concepts. Founded in 1972, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits today has more than 1,350 locations in 41states and 20 countries worldwide