Popeyes to open on Commercial Drive in New Hartford this spring

Edward Harris, Observer-Dispatch
·2 min read

A new Popeyes location is coming to Commercial Drive in New Hartford.

The chicken-based fast-food chain is opening a new location across the street from Consumer Square. The restaurant is expected to open this spring, but no firm date has been established.

The new location is operated by Liberty Restaurants Holdings, which currently owns and operates 26 Popeyes locations in New York City, Upstate New York and Connecticut. The company also has a commitment to build over 30 Popeyes in Upstate New York and Pennsylvania over the next few years.

An artist's rendering of what the new Popeyes location on Commercial Drive in New Hartford will look like.
An artist's rendering of what the new Popeyes location on Commercial Drive in New Hartford will look like.

Liberty Restaurants Holdings also owns and operates several Burger King and Arby’s restaurants in New York City and Long Island.

Liberty Restaurants Holdings is owned and operated by Laddi Singh and his brother Rana Kaknia and was chosen as the 2020 Franchisee of the Year for the Popeyes system.

Heidi Cousineau of Liberty Restaurants Holdings is the vice president of development for the franchisee.

Cousineau said the New Hartford site was selected due to its location.

“Our goal when selecting real estate is to always go after the highest quality sites,” Cousineau said. “We love the synergy of other retail generators on Commercial Drive, and think this will be a nice addition to the mix in that part of New Hartford. Being at a traffic light is also very important.”

Cousineau further stated Popeyes does not feel as if it is competing with the numerous other restaurants located on or around Commercial Drive.

Popeyes will employ 40 people, both full and part time, once it opens, Cousineau said. She did not respond to a question on pay and benefits.

Cousineau said construction is progressing on pace with expectations, given the current supply chain. She said the restaurant would announce an official opening date in the future.

There was a Popeyes location on Genesee Street in Utica, but it has since closed.

“We’re very excited to join the New Hartford community,” Cousineau said. “This market was on our target list of markets to penetrate in round 1 when we first took on this assignment of Upstate New York, so we are happy to say we will be successful in opening as per plans.”

Ed Harris is the Oneida County reporter for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Ed Harris at EHarris1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Popeyes to open New Hartford location on Commercial Drive