New Joliet Popeyes Opens On East Side, Here's Hours

JOLIET, IL — Several weeks ago, Joliet Patch reported that the east side of Joliet was getting a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen fast-food restaurant. It was a popular story. Now, the wait is over. On Tuesday, the new Popeyes opened for business at the former Checkers restaurant that closed in March 2019.

On Wednesday, the drive-thru lane had several cars waiting to pick up their order.

A Popeyes district manager told Joliet Patch that the new fast-food restaurant is only allowing up to three customers inside the store to place an order to keep with social distancing guidelines amid the new coronavirus outbreak.

The manager also mentioned that officers at the Joliet Police Department who are on-duty in uniform can get free meals from Popeyes as an expression of gratitude from the business for the work they do.

According to the business sign, the new Cass Street Popeyes is now staying open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is not allowed to let customers eat their meals inside its dining room for the time being to comply with the governor's restrictions on restaurants and bars.

"Today, it's been pretty good," the district manager told Joliet Patch early Wednesday afternoon. "By weekend, it will pick up."

The manager also wanted people to know the Popeyes on Cass Street is still hiring for several positions.