Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen coming to South Strabane

January 25, 2017

Natalie Reid Miller
Observer Reporter

The conversion of a former Long John Silver’s to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is expected to begin this week.

The structure at 301C Oak Spring Road, at the entrance to Washington Mall, South Strabane Township, will house the fast-food chain, owned and operated by AR Group of Restaurants of Trenton, N.J.

According to Sam Durrani, chief operating officer, the group currently operates 30 Popeyes locations in five states.

Building permits from the township were secured last week.

The targeted opening date is May 1. Durrani expects to create eight full-time and 14 part-time jobs at the restaurant.

“We look for best the best location we think makes sense and opens up job opportunities in the area,” said Sherwood Brown, public relations manager.

Chuck Fargo, project manager and designer of Murray Jay Miller, is the architect.

The first Popeyes, which sells spicy, New Orleans-style chicken and side dishes, opened in the 1970s. The closest restaurants to the South Strabane location are in Pittsburgh and North Versailles.

Brown said as long as the weather cooperates, the group will remain on schedule.

“We’ve had a pretty good winter,” he said. “Hopefully it continues and we can start this week.”