Discover Popeyes’ arrival in Brno! Learn about its history, menu, and why this Louisiana chicken chain is making waves in the Czech Republic.
In 2005, as a newly minted adult, I visited Prague on a school trip and instantly fell in love with the city.
I may recount that experience on another occasion, perhaps in a different space—after all, this is brno.expat247.com—but I mention it here because, as an Italian from a city on the fringes of the “empire,” one memory stands out: encountering a fast-food chain I’d never heard of—KFC—right in the heart of Prague.
At the time, the association between fried chicken and Kentucky was something I had only encountered through an Italian rapper, destined to become a legend in his genre: “Spliff, non lo passo mai, sai, mangio spesso pollo Kentucky”. So, seeing KFC in Václavské náměstí was nothing short of a revelation.
Back then, the only two KFC locations in Italy were on U.S. soil, within American military bases—one near my home in Sigonella, Sicily, and the other in Gricignano, Campania. Access to these Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets was restricted to military personnel and authorized staff, so it wasn’t until late 2014 that Italians got their first taste of KFC.
Personally, I only began eating at KFC a few years ago. I was never a fan of chicken or fast food, but as we age, our tastes tend to mellow. These days, I occasionally enjoy a serving of Kentucky fried chicken—right here in Brno.
Popeyes: history, opening in the Czech Republic, name, and menu
But this isn’t about KFC. It’s about its competitor, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, a franchise founded in 1972—12 years after KFC—that’s soon opening in the heart of Brno. Already established in Prague, Popeyes made its debut in the Czech Republic in 2023, a year ahead of its first Italian location. Czechs seem to have a particular fondness for chicken—it even makes its way onto pizza and pasta here.
The first Popeyes in Brno will be located at the corner of Masarykova and Panská streets. Its menu will likely feature fried, roasted, and grilled chicken, alongside sides and salads. But Popeyes offers much more globally, including seafood, sausages, biscuits, and pastries—though it remains to be seen if Brno’s branch will include these items.
Why is it called Popeyes? Most assume it’s a nod to Pepek námořník (opeye the Sailor in Czech), especially since the company used Popeye as its mascot until 2012, leaning into the name’s association. However, the real inspiration comes from Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, the protagonist of the film The French Connection.
If you're interested in collaborating with us, feel free to share your suggestions, including those related to the places we review, or notify us about any events by sending an email to expat247@outlook.com.
