The second Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen location in Guyana was commissioned yesterday on Camp Street by Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh who hailed the franchise as “another manifestation of investor confidence.”
He said that the $700 million restaurant was continuing a long tradition of overseas Guyanese recommitting to the economic development of Guyana. He reflected that it was the dawn of invigorated growth in Guyana and a welcome sign to see the building of the new Georgetown a “stone’s throw” from historic Georgetown; citing the colonial Georgetown Club building across the street.
Singh said the owners of the franchise, Guyana Restaurant Incorporated were showing a recommitment to Guyanese development. He noted that Guyanese expatriates were flocking to invest in Guyana because they recognise that Guyana is a place where their investments could make a difference.
He called it a commitment to invigorate to bring “financial capital back to Guyana.”
The minister stated that Guyana Restaurant Incorporated through the two locations (the first restaurant is on Vlissengen Road) has created 75 plus jobs directly and indirectly. He said that major criticism within Guyana has always been the lack of job creation and cited Guyana Gold Fields Incorporated’s “silent resolution” in Region 10 where he said over 700 jobs had been created.
Singh said the Popeye’s franchise would be expanding further with another location being built. However neither the minister nor Chairman of Guyana Restaurant Incorporated Raj L Singh divulged further details.
The chairman said that another location in central Georgetown was conceptualised after the first location which was opened in 2010 exceeded expectations. The Camp Street location employs 44 persons currently, he stated.
Also present at the opening of the restaurant was the Latin American Con-sultant to Popeye’s Luis Villasana who congratulated Guyana Restaurant Incorporated for its hard work and its dedication to maintaining the standards of the franchise.
