Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits announced August 8 a franchise development agreement that calls for the construction of 35 new Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits locations in Australia over the next six years. The agreement represents the first development by the Popeyes brand in Australia.

Under the terms of the agreement local franchise partner Group Song Enterprises will construct 35 restaurants throughout the city of Sydney. The first restaurant is scheduled to open December 2000, with five more to open by late 2001.

The Australia development agreement caps an aggressive first two quarters for Popeyes International. This agreement follows development deals for 56 restaurants in Indonesia, eight restaurants in Panama, four restaurants in Iceland, and five restaurants in Honduras. Worldwide, the company now operates almost 1,450 restaurants in 43 states and 23 countries with an outstanding commitment pool of 850 restaurants.

“The development in Australia allows us to solidify the Popeyes brand as one of the leading restaurant brands throughout the Asia/Pacific region,” said Anthony Pavese, COO for Popeyes International. “We are confident that this initial development in Sydney will be the springboard to future growth throughout Australia.”