IN a bid to satisfy the growing demand for Popeyes chicken and seafoods, the Guyana Restaurant Inc, holder of the Popeyes franchise in Guyana, yesterday opened another outlet on Water Street in downtown Georgetown. This state-of-the-art multi-million-dollar restaurant is equal to any internationally.

The restaurant is the third of its kind in Guyana, the first being the Vlissengen Road outlet which opened in 2010, followed by the Camp Street facility in 2014, and now the Water Street edifice, in the heart of the commercial zone of the city.

Guyana Restaurant Inc Chairman, Mr Ram Lallbahadur Singh, said the new facility will satisfy the increasing demands of lovers of Popeyes Chicken and Sea Foods’ products, particularly those in the busy Water Street area and within the iconic Stabroek Market location.

This new outlet provides jobs for 36 persons. This is in addition to the 72 employees at the Vlissengen Road and Camp Street locations. Aside from providing employment for 108 persons, the chain of restaurants will be purchasing raw materials from local suppliers, with the exception of spices.

Singh said the investment was also driven by the consistent growth of the economy in the past nine years, which he said is very encouraging for businesses.

The new two-storey restaurant, which began operations yesterday, is a spacious, family-oriented facility that caters for persons of all ages.

“Popeyes is noted for producing finger-licking chicken, and I can assure you that this is what you gonna get. You can rest assured that you will receive a prompt, efficient and reliable service,” Singh said as he pointed out that the Water Street location, like the others in Georgetown, would have international standards and be first-rated in terms of choice, quality, service and price.

Singh also disclosed that the business is looking to open outlets in other parts of the country, notably in Berbice, but must first acquire suitable locations.

UNFOLDING TRANSFORMATION

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said the facility is not only a reflection of investors’ confidence in the economy, but represents a steady transformation of the country, sometimes unfolding before us unnoticeably.

“This is the transformation that has been taking place unconsciously, but is a transformation that we should not take for granted. It is testimony to the changes that our country has been undergoing over the years. It is a reflection of the continuous abiding faith of Guyanese entrepreneurs; it is testimony of the continued growth and prosperity in our country. And indeed, given that this is a partnership with a major international franchise owner, it is also testimony of continued confidence by those international businesses in the Guyanese economy,” Dr Singh said.

The Finance Minister said the occasion is significant in that the very location is where Somwaru Muneshwer, the patriarch of the Muneshwer family, opened his first business in Georgetown some six decades ago.
In 1953, Muneshwer, a humble businessman, journeyed to the city from Berbice in an effort to expand his fortunes as a businessman. He was able to acquire the property at the Water Street location at a time when such deals were reserved for the propertied and monied colonial classes.

Muneshwer’s boldness to expand and put to rest old colonial prejudices and stereotypes was both inspiring and worthy of emulation, the Minister told the gathering of mostly entrepreneurs as he paid tribute to the country’s distinguished businesspersons.

“This is the story of his entrepreneurial drive. Today, we take (the story) for granted, but it is a story of sacrifice, a story of risk-taking, a story of hard work, and (it) must never be taken for granted…one that we must never forget. It is a story of inspiration which all should emulate,” Dr Singh said as he thanked the many investors, both foreign and local, for restoring confidence in the local economy, creating jobs, improving services, and allowing Guyana to remain on its current growth trajectory and path to prosperity.
By Tajeram Mohabir