By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
The taste of Louisiana has come to Manville with the new Popeyes opening last week.
Popeyes officially opened to the public Sept. 25 with crowds packing the building.
The day before, there was a cook-off for employees, families and town officials that included the ribbon cutting marking the grand opening.
Those attending had free food from the Louisiana kitchen of chicken and seafood with the Cajun flair.
The "five guys of Popeyes" as they call themselves — owner Sam Durrani, Akbar Durrani, Ali Durrani, Andy Dsouza and CEO Ali Butt — all were present to open the restaurant in Manville.
"We thought that Manville had the right people to go in and the right town to work with," Mr. Durrani said. "We believe that we will be really successful in Manville. We have opened a store two months ago in Piscataway, New Jersey, and Manville is the right town to open in. Wal-Mart, Super Wal-Mart and businesses are booming, and by adding another business it will only benefit, not hurt."
Manville is the 23rd location the five men own. They own restaurants in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
"Popeyes is a very special brand," Mr. Durrani said. "Not all brands have a cult following; we have a cult following. We flip our signs, and we jam-pack the rooms without any advertisement. Popeyes has grown out to be a brand over the past few years. There are 2,300 restaurants. Popeyes not only has customers; they have loyal customers. I think will it do very good in Manville I think the businesses is going to be booming in Manville with the beautiful building we built and the beautiful interior and exterior. We have a good chance of succeeding and being here for 20 years."
Popeyes is at 20 N. Main St. in front of the Wal-Mart in the Marketplace. The hours are Sunday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight.
It does not serve breakfast, but Mr. Durrani said there usually is a line at the door for its buttermilk biscuits and fresh sweet tea. There are more than 70 employees in Manville. The menu includes chicken, chicken tender and seafood combos. There are family meals, kids meals and desserts.
Popeyes’ signature sides include red beans and rice, Cajun fries, Cajun rice and more.
Mr. Durrani said he was amazed at the amount of people that showed up Thursday, even though Popeyes wasn’t open.
"We have opened plenty of restaurants, but we have never seen people line up like this in front of our restaurant before we even open, and we don’t even open today," he said, attributing it to "the love of Popeyes."
He pointed out the line of people was "wrapping around the building. Wow."
John R. Zalewski Jr., president of the Manville Business and Professional Association, said, "It was an honor when asked by Popeyes, our newest member, to assist with their cook-off and ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was a joy to hear from Ali Butt, (the) owner and management of Popeyes about their willingness to give back to the communities they have ventured into."
He said, "Popeyes was very grateful and thankful to Manville for allowing them this new opportunity. There are great opportunities to open a new or expanding business in our town. I personally wish Popeyes a prosperous future in Manville."
Mayor Angelo Corradino added, "I want to welcome Popeyes to Manville. I think they are going to have many years of success, and we are happy that they are here."
