Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Restaurant Coming to Lewiston, Maine

When Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen opened their first two stores in Maine at the Maine Turnpike Kenneubnk and Gardiner rest stops, I wondered, "Is this chicken place named after Popeye the Sailor Man?"

Turns out, it wasn't. According to Wikipedia, founder Alvin C. Copeland says he named the restaurants after the fictional detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle, who Gene Hackman played in The French Connection. That explains why I never saw Popeye on the walls when I ordered a chicken sandwich.

Copeland went on to create a franchise that is now in the middle of a growth spurt. As of June 2024, there are 3,138 Popeyes restaurants in the United States, with plans to open an additional 800 by 2028. One of those locations is coming to Lewiston, Maine.

There are currently three Popeyes stores in Maine. Two are Turnpike rest stops, one is in South Portland across from the Maine Mall, and the Lewiston location will be the fourth.

According to the Sun Journal, a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is planned to open at 841 Lisbon St. in Lewiston, within the footprint of Gendron Place (which many will remember as the old Promenade Mall).

It will be built on what was the former site of a Mobil gas station, directly across from Papa Johns.

The city of Lewiston approved a construction permit for the building, which looks very similar to the Popeyes in South Portland.

Now, the big question on everyone's mind is, "When does it open?"

The Sun Journal says that it will likely be at least a year until they're ready to serve that delicious chicken, so hang tight and keep an eye on that spot. Popeyes is coming.