New Popeyes opening in Cedar Rapids late January

Construction of a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in northwest Cedar Rapids is progressing on a strict schedule, with the restaurant expected to open at the end of the month.

Jeff Braverman, owner of Half Moon LLC of Iowa City, said the 2,900-square-foot restaurant that will seat 60 at the southwest corner of E Avenue and Edgewood Road NW will employ 35 to 40 people.

'Everything is scheduled between now and Monday, Jan. 25,' Braverman said. 'We want to be open for business on Jan. 30 or Jan. 31.

'Really the only thing that could hold us up would be inspection issues that the health department might find because it hasn't been done to specification. That has not been a problem in the past.

'If anything is found, it will likely be minor and could be corrected fairly quickly.'

Braverman said employment applications will be taken and interviews will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the Iowa Works office on the lower level of Lindale Mall. He said the new Popeyes will be able to draw on experienced employees and managers from the Popeyes on Blairs Ferry Road NE that opened last year.

'We anticipate a much smoother opening for all parties concerned — the city, our customers and our employees — because we will be able to draw talent from two stores,' Braverman said.

When the Popeyes at 370 Blairs Ferry Road NE opened in February 2015, traffic backed up as long lines of drive-through customers snaked out onto Blairs Ferry Road waiting to order. Braverman said many customers were not familiar with the chain's menu and that added to the length of time for ordering and receiving food.

'All of us — the city, our management team, our employees and customers — have become seasoned in the right way,' he said.

Braverman said construction of the restaurant was delayed by several issues, including historic preservation photography of a house on the site that formerly housed a small grocery store.

Braverman said the site will allow for construction of a second retail building to the west of the Popeyes building. Customers of both businesses would use a single entrance and exit on E Avenue NW.