Popeyes Breakfast Menu Launches Nationwide, Challenging McDonald's Dominance
From McMuffins to hash browns, McDonald's has long been the go-to for a quick and tasty breakfast in the UK. However, a new contender is shaking up the fast-food scene as Popeyes rolls out its full breakfast menu across the country starting April 14. This expansion marks the first time the complete menu is available at all over 100 locations nationwide, following a limited trial in select restaurants in 2024.
Menu Highlights and Critical Acclaim
The Popeyes breakfast lineup features standout items such as the Big Cajun Breakfast Roll, Cajun Hash Brown, and biscuits with Nutella. Ahead of the official launch, Metro's team sampled the menu, with some reviewers declaring it 'even better' than McDonald's standard fare. Courtney Pochin, Metro's food writer, who previously favored McDonald's Breakfast Roll, now praises the Big Cajun Roll, noting its perfect spice level and sturdy construction that doesn't fall apart.
Big Cajun Breakfast Roll (£4.99): This burger includes a sausage or chicken patty, Cajun hash brown, egg, smoked streaky bacon, and American cheese in a brioche bun with Cajun ketchup. Pochin highlights the unique flavor of the Cajun ketchup, calling it a game-changer for breakfast sandwiches. Lifestyle reporter Eleanor Noyce adds that the bread quality surpasses competitors, though she found it slightly too saucy.
Cajun Hash Brown (£1.50): Available in regular and Cajun versions, the latter received rave reviews. Eleanor Noyce rated it a '10/10', stating it's 'even better' than McDonald's due to extra flavoring and better structural integrity.
Mixed Reviews on Other Items
Breakfast muffins, starting at £3.50, faced divided opinions. Jess found the Egg and Cheese muffin 'very tasty' and similar to McDonald's, but lifestyle editor Kristina Beanland, a die-hard McDonald's fan, felt the Bacon, Egg and Cheese Muffin from Popeyes was merely 'ok' and less appealing visually.
Biscuits with Nutella (£2.29) were described as a southern delicacy, but Courtney Pochin notes they can be hit or miss. She recommends eating them hot in-store for the best experience, as delivery may cause them to harden and lose their flaky texture.
Launch Details and Promotions
Popeyes will serve breakfast items from opening until 10:30 am. To celebrate the launch, the chain is giving away one million free breakfasts via its app, where fans can claim a free Big Cajun Roll or Big Cajun Wrap. The full menu includes:
- Breakfast Rolls and Wraps: Priced from £1.99 to £5.49, with options like the Big Cajun Roll and Big Breakfast Wrap.
- Breakfast Muffins: Ranging from £3.50 to £3.99, including Egg and Cheese and Bacon Egg and Cheese varieties.
- Sweet Items: Such as Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit (£1.75) and Biscuit with Nutella (£1.99).
- Sides: Hash Browns and Cajun Hash Browns, each at £1.50.
This rollout positions Popeyes as a serious competitor in the UK fast-food breakfast market, offering unique Cajun-inspired flavors that are winning over critics and challenging McDonald's long-held supremacy.
