India’s busiest airports emerge as new battlegrounds for global food brands, with Popeyes opening at Mumbai T2 

Sameer Khetarpal of Jubilant FoodWorks and AMRL representatives discussed the strategic importance of the Mumbai T2 debut

India’s busiest airports are increasingly becoming competitive arenas for global food brands, and the opening of Popeyes’ first airport outlet at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Terminal 2, reflects this shift. Announced on December 22, the new store marks a strategic expansion milestone for the Louisiana-born fried chicken brand as it deepens its presence in India’s premium travel-led locations.
The Mumbai T2 outlet is Popeyes’ first airport store in the country and follows the brand’s entry into the Mumbai market earlier this year in August. Operated in partnership with AMRL, the opening signals a deliberate move to position the brand at high-footfall transit hubs where discovery, repeat engagement, and brand recall converge.

Airport terminals in India are no longer viewed solely as points of departure and arrival. They are evolving into lifestyle destinations where food and beverage offerings play a central role in shaping passenger experience. The decision to launch at Mumbai T2, one of the country’s busiest and most aspirational aviation gateways, aligns with this broader transformation of airport retail and dining.
At the new outlet, travellers can access Popeyes’ core global menu, including the Chicken Sandwich, Signature Fried Chicken, Boneless Chicken offerings with international flavours, and the Hot & Messy range developed for Indian preferences. The brand has retained its Louisiana Cajun roots, with chicken prepared fresh, hand-battered, hand-breaded, and marinated for twelve hours to deliver its signature flavour profile.

Speaking on the brand’s expansion into airport locations, Sameer Khetarpal, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, said airports have become critical touchpoints for brand discovery and sustained engagement. He noted that the Mumbai T2 launch allows Popeyes to connect with a high-intent, high-frequency audience and extend its footprint beyond traditional high-street locations. According to Khetarpal, the opening builds on the strong consumer response the brand has seen in Mumbai since August and represents a calculated step toward scaling in premium environments.
From the airport operator’s perspective, the partnership reflects a broader focus on curating food and beverage experiences that match evolving traveller expectations. A spokesperson from AMRL said the launch of Popeyes at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport marks a significant development in the company’s food and beverage growth strategy. The spokesperson highlighted that airports are increasingly positioning themselves as lifestyle hubs, with dining playing a pivotal role in the overall passenger journey.

The spokesperson added that partnering with a globally recognised brand such as Popeyes aligns with AMRL’s vision of offering world-class choices to travellers. Mumbai T2, given its scale and passenger mix, was described as an ideal location for the brand’s airport debut. The collaboration, according to AMRL, reflects a continued emphasis on quality, consistency, and global relevance within India’s airport food and beverage ecosystem.
The Popeyes store at Mumbai T2 is now operational and offers both dine-in and takeaway options for domestic and international passengers. Its placement at the airport forecourt positions the brand to serve travellers across multiple journey stages, from pre-departure dining to quick-service meals for those in transit.

For Jubilant FoodWorks, which holds franchise rights for several global quick service restaurant brands in India and other markets, the airport launch adds another dimension to its growth strategy. With a network spanning multiple countries and thousands of stores, the group continues to explore formats and locations that align with changing consumer behaviour and travel patterns.
The Mumbai T2 opening also reflects a broader trend in which global food brands are increasingly viewing airports as strategic growth platforms rather than ancillary locations. High passenger volumes, diverse demographics, and extended dwell times have made airports attractive venues for brands seeking visibility and consistent demand.

As India’s aviation sector continues to expand and airports evolve into integrated commercial destinations, food brands are recalibrating how and where they engage consumers. Popeyes’ entry into Mumbai’s Terminal 2 places it squarely within this competitive landscape, where dining, discovery, and travel intersect, and where global brands are vying for attention at the country’s most active gateways.

At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.