American fast food chain Popeyes is now accepting franchise partners in the Philippines, following strong performance that has made the country the brand’s top market globally in terms of transactions, according to parent company Restaurant Brands International (RBI).

“The franchising program was the next logical step,” said Dustin Ngo, MD for Popeyes Philippines. “It’s a good investment opportunity and aligns with Popeyes’ growth trajectory in the next three years.”

Franchise investment ranges from PHP$45 million to PHP$50 million ($793,000 to $800,000) for a 1000sqm drive-thru store. The package includes construction, equipment, training, and a 10-year franchise fee. Ongoing costs include an 8 per cent royalty and a 5 per cent ad fee based on sales.

In addition, RBI and the local team will provide end-to-end support, with a focus on fast setup and operational efficiency.

“We want our partners to operate their Popeyes franchise with ease, essentially with just a turn of a key,” added Dan Hayton, COO of Popeyes Philippines.