Fried chicken chain Popeyes is opening its first-ever Staffordshire restaurant today.

The Festival Park branch officially opened at 11am today but lovers of the chain were told on TikTok that they could queue from as early as 9am.

Popeyes says the first three customers through the door on the opening day will receive free chicken sandwiches for a year, the first 50 will receive exclusive Popeyes merchandise and the first 100 will get a free chicken sandwich.

A spokesperson for Popeyes said: "We're looking forward to opening our very first Popeyes in Staffordshire, located at the popular Festival Retail Park in Stoke-on-Trent.

"It's a fantastic location and we're excited to introduce our famous Louisiana chicken and New Orleans hospitality to the local community for the first time."

Popeyes serves Louisiana-style fried chicken, chicken sandwiches, tenders, and wings, alongside classic sides like Red Beans and Rice, Cajun Fries, mashed potatoes with Cajun gravy, and American biscuits.

The restaurant, at the old Pizza Hut unit, includes seating for 78 people, four orange park and serve bays outside, self-service screens and an additional order collection hatch.

Popeyes says the branch has created 70 jobs and it will be open 8am-10pm seven days a week.

The branch has also applied for permission from Stoke-on-Trent City Council to open until as late as 3am.