CUSTOMERS queued for over 19 hours as Gloucestershire’s first branch of a popular fast-food chain opened for the first time.

Fried chicken brand Popeyes launched a new drive-thru restaurant in St Oswalds Retail Park in Gloucester on Monday.

Keen customers began arriving from 4pm on Sunday, July 7, 19 hours before the ‘shatter-crunch’ chicken restaurant opened.

The queue was 19 cars deep at the drive-thru in St Oswalds Road, with people camping overnight and queues stretching out of the retail park.

Toby West, Connor O’Grady and Morgan Withers were the first arrivals at Popeyes Gloucester.

They walked an hour and a half to get to the new outlet, queuing overnight to get their hands on a Chicken Sandwich.

Aiming to bring a taste of New Orleans to Gloucester, Louisiana chicken restaurant Popeyes’ menu also features Hot Wings and Tenders, plus milkshakes and original Southern biscuits and gravy.

On top of the drive-thru, the outlet boasts over 106 seats for dining in, and customers can also take away and order online to collect.

The branch will be open from 8am to 10pm every day.

Popeyes was founded in New Orleans in the US state of Louisiana in 1972, launching in the UK in November 2021.

The new branch is Popeyes’ first in Gloucestershire and its 18th location opening since the beginning of this year.

The outlet has also generated 80 jobs for the area.

“We are delighted with the turnout and popularity of the new Popeyes Gloucester drive-thru,” said Tom Crowley, chief executive at Popeyes UK.

“The response to our opening has been incredible to see.

“We hope to become a regular stop-off for those working and living in the area.”

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Popeyes to St Oswalds,” added Jason Robinson, senior destination manager for St Oswalds Retail Park.

“The retail park already has a fantastic food offering, and Popeyes is set to add something new to the mix, giving shoppers and local residents more great-tasting choice.”

Popeyes Gloucester also launched its breakfast menu on Tuesday, July 9.

A breakfast menu launched around the UK this year, featuring British breakfast classics with a New Orleans twist.

These included the Big Cajun Roll, the Cajun Hash Brown and Nutella-topped buttermilk biscuits.

Breakfast will be available until 11am every day and will feature a Bacon Roll meal deal for £1.99, with this including a Bacon Roll, a Hash Brown and a drink.