The chicken wars are heating up in Iowa City!

On the heels of the Iowa City metro getting its first Raising Cane's location, a national competitor is about to bring its second location to the area! With a restaurant already up and running at 750 Coral Ridge Ave. in Coralville and 13 others in Iowa, Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen has cleared an early hurdle to develop and build an Iowa City location. Iowa City's Board of Adjustment voted 4-0 for a special exception for a two-lane drive-through for the fried chicken restaurant last week. Jam Investments LLC, the owner of the site, now needs to get approval on its site plan review.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen says it will be in the Pepperwood Plaza development, across the street from the site of the former Pizza Hut at 1926 Keokuk St. This area is now home to a business plaza being revitalized by residents to include Taco Bell, Midwest One Bank, Stuff Etc. and more.

According to the Press-Citizen, the new development plans for Popeye's would include a 3,000-square-foot facility, with two drive-through lanes, two drive-up windows, and 18 parking spots.

The project architect Thomas Scesniak joked with the Board of Approval about the potential hours of operation, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and Friday and Saturday until midnight, to "get those late partygoers to get that good chicken and greasy fries."

Count us in!

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