Popeyes Franchisee Closes More Locations Following Bankruptcy Filing

Several additional Popeyes locations in the Southeast are shutting down as a major franchisee works through bankruptcy.

Court records obtained by USA TODAY show that Florida-based Sailormen Inc., which operates more than 130 Popeyes restaurants, said on March 10 it plans to close three Popeyes locations in Georgia.

The closures come about two months after the franchisee said it would be closing 17 locations in Georgia and Florida, according to court records.

Sailormen Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January, citing reduced foot traffic and high inflation as the drivers of its decision. The company also pointed to liabilities tied to a failed 2024 deal to sell 16 restaurants as a contributing factor in the filing.

Here’s what you need to know.

Where Is Popeyes Closing?

The following three Popeyes are set to close, according to the March 10 court filing obtained by USA TODAY.

1817 Glynn Ave., Brunswick, Georgia
628 W Parker St., Baxley, Georgia
419 S Church St., Homerville, Georgia

The closures announced last week are in addition to the 17 closures listed by Sailormen Inc. in a court filing on January 26.

2005 Ohio Ave., North Live Oak, Florida
1601 S US Hwy., Ft. Pierce, Florida
5156 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, Florida
2729 SE Hwy 70, Arcadia, Florida
175 S Hwy 17, E Palatka, Florida
649 S McDuff Ave., Jacksonville, Florida
1124 N Young Blvd, Chiefland, Florida
27740 US 27, Leesburg, Florida
200 Green Way, Keystone Heights, Florida
812 S 6th St., Macclenny, Florida
1833 Kings Rd., Jacksonville, Florida
2015 N Wickham Rd., Melbourne, Florida
401 N 1st St., Jesup, Georgia
2106 Memorial Dr., Waycross, Georgia
1610 S Georgia Pkwy, West Waycross, Georgia
68 W Coffee St., Hazlehurst, Georgia
3319 Altama Ave., Brunswick, Georgia

What Did Popeyes Say?

Attorneys representing Sailormen Inc. did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

When reached for comment, Popeyes referred to a previous statement from Peter Perdue, president of the chain in the United States and Canada. Perdue said Sailormen Inc.’s bankruptcy filing does not reflect broader challenges for Popeyes as a brand.

“A large majority of their restaurants are very profitable, in line with our system average (and some above average),” he said.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Popeyes franchisee closes more locations following bankruptcy filing

Reporting by Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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