The home of Louisiana fried chicken is opening its first site in Leeds city centre later this year.
Good news foodies, we now don't have to travel far to get our fried chicken fix as Popeyes is opening right here in the city centre.
Following hugely successful openings in Gildersome and Wakefield, the fast food restaurant famous for their shatter crunch chicken is coming to Commercial Street.
The new store will create over 80 new jobs for the local community.
The new restaurant will be the brand’s 7th location in Yorkshire and forms part of its huge plans to almost double its UK footprint, with the opening of a further 45+ new restaurants by the end of 2025.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Guests will be able to dine in or takeaway from the new restaurant, and enjoy a taste of the full Popeyes menu, including the iconic Popeyes Chicken Sandwich, tenders, and signature chicken wraps.
Ahead of the opening day, hungry fans can enter for the chance of winning one of its world-famous Chicken Sandwiches by signing up via the Popeyes UK website.
Tom Crowley, Popeyes UK Chief Executive Officer, said: "2025 is set to be another incredibly exciting year for Popeyes, including the launch of a flagship store in Leeds city centre later this year.
"Our mission has always been to bring our New Orleans spirit to new locations across the UK, and we look forward to sharing more details of this special opening soon.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
“Our ambitious roll-out strategy - which will see us open, on average, close to one new site per week in the coming 12 months - will mean that we can bring joy to even more customers across the country, from breakfast through to late night.
"At the same time, we are looking forward to welcoming around 2,500 new team members in the year ahead to support our expansion plans, all the while continuing our clear focus on exciting menu and technology innovation."
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Clementine Hall -
27th January 2025 
