A major Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchisee that operates more than 130 locations has filed for bankruptcy as it works to restructure its finances.
Sailormen Inc., a Miami-based operator with restaurants across Florida and Georgia, filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The company is seeking to renegotiate or resolve roughly $129 million in debt so it can continue operating as a more financially stable franchisee.
In court filings, Sailormen cited a mix of broader economic pressures that hurt the business over time. These included the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on restaurant operations, shifting consumer habits, high inflation, rising interest rates, and ongoing labor shortages that made it harder to hire and retain qualified workers.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is owned by Restaurant Brands International, which acquired the brand in 2017. Like many major fast-food chains, most Popeyes restaurants are independently owned and operated by franchisees rather than the corporate parent.
The bankruptcy filing does not mean Popeyes locations are closing immediately, but it highlights the financial strain some large franchise operators continue to face amid higher costs and changing economic conditions.
