Popeyes will no longer have a location at WKU beginning next semester, according to Aramark employees.

According to a sign posted at the Pearce-Ford Tower Food Court, “Popeyes will be leaving the WKU campus at the end of the spring semester.”

The sign also states “the decision was made by Popeyes, not the University, and is occurring at other Universities served by Popeyes.”

Karen Cutler, vice president of corporate communications at Aramark, confirmed Popeyes would be leaving campus in an email.

“I can tell you that Popeye’s did not renew their contract at WKU,” Cutler wrote. “We have been told that they are shifting their focus to their traditional retail stores instead of campus locations.”

Cutler also said WKU was working to find a new restaurant to fill the space in Pearce-Ford Tower Food Court.

Lousiville sophomore Ali Tilford said she used to go to the Pearce-Ford Tower Food Court regularly when she lived in PFT. Tilford said she felt the options for food at the bottom of the Hill were “diminishing,” pointing out that JuiceBlendz closed last year and was replaced with Freshens.

“I was already upset about Juice Blendz closing,” Tilford said. “Now there’s going to be nothing at the bottom of the Hill worth eating.”

Tilford said she used to frequently eat at both Juice Blendz and Popeyes because of the options they had for students on meal plans and the proximity to PFT. 

Tilford said she would like to see something like Chick-fil-A or Starbucks at the bottom of the Hill, but noted those were “probably expensive options” for the university.

Cutler was unable to say how the new restaurant would be decided, or when it would open.

According to the sign posted at Pearce-Ford Tower Food Court, “the new restaurant will be opening fall 2017.”

Reporter Monica Kast can be reached at (270) 745-0655 or [email protected].