Recently, Beijing has experienced a wave of closures, with Migas Mercado being the latest casualty last week, which comes as a significant setback for the food and beverage sector. Nonetheless, it's not all bleak, as there are some promising new openings on the horizon.
Beijing is gearing up for its first Chili's, while both Turkish Feast and Side Street are set to launch new branches, and Popeyes appears ready to make its return to the capital. Read on for further details…
Chili's to Launch Its First Branch in Beijing
Fans of the American dining chain Chili's will be thrilled to know it will soon arrive in Beijing. Scheduled to open in December in the Zhongguancun area of Haidian, this will be the first Chili's location in the capital, although the chain already has a solid presence in China with nine outlets in Shanghai.
While the exact opening date remains unconfirmed, they have teased a glimpse of their menu, featuring signature items like the renowned Oldtimer with Cheese burger, Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Shredded Beef Fajita, and more. For the latest updates on Chili's, you can follow their official WeChat account (ID: chilis奇利斯美式小餐馆).
Turkish Feast to Open New Location in Shunyi
Turkish Feast shows no signs of slowing down. After launching its third branch last year in Wangfujing, they are now eyeing Shunyi. The new location will be situated in Shine Hills, with an anticipated opening towards the end of March next year. In the meantime, consider visiting one of their current branches to enjoy their fresh breakfast, brunch, and lunch options.
Side Street to Open New Location Near the Olympic Park
Another popular brand in Beijing, Side Street, is planning to open a new branch in Polpas Shopping Mall near the Olympic Park. This will mark Side Street's third outlet in the capital, with a targeted opening in January next year. Keep an eye on their official WeChat (ID: Side Street 街旁) for the latest updates. If you're craving their burgers and other tasty dishes, don’t forget to check out the weekly specials at their Jianguomen and Jiaodaokou locations.
Popeyes Set to Make a Comeback in Beijing
Popeyes, the Southern fried chicken restaurant, is preparing to reopen in Beijing after over two decades. The new location is expected to open in Wangfujing, the same area where it launched its first Beijing branch back in 1999; however, Popeyes withdrew from China in 2003. The chain made a brief return to China in 2020 with a store in Shanghai, but closed all locations in 2022. They returned to Shanghai again in 2023 and now plan to expand their operations. Alongside the new Beijing branch, they are also heading to Nanjing and have opened several new sites in Shanghai.
Although there has been no official announcement yet regarding the opening date for the Beijing store, it is listed on Dianping, and job postings for the location have been spotted. Stay updated by following their official WeChat (ID: Popeyes).
READ: Week Ahead: Nesto Soft Opening, Modernista 14th Anniversary & More
Images: courtesy of the venues, Xiaohongshu, Dianping
Beijing is on the verge of welcoming its first Chili's, while Turkish Feast and Side Street are preparing to launch new branches, and Popeyes appears ready to make a comeback in the capital.