More Popeyes stores are facing closure in franchise bankruptcy: See an updated list of locations

Sailormen Inc., a major Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchisee, is set to close 18 restaurants in Florida and Georgia following a bankruptcy court hearing on Tuesday. These closures are part of Sailormen's ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, initiated in January, where the company initially operated approximately 130 Popeyes locations. The decision to close these 18 stores comes after an auction last week where 52 of Sailormen's locations failed to attract any bidders. Lawyers for Sailormen stated in a bankruptcy filing that these stores represent a burden on the estate and that operating funds would cease by July 1, 2026, if leases were rejected. A judge approved the rejection of 18 leases, with Sailormen expected to vacate these restaurants by the end of the current month. A second court hearing is scheduled for Friday to address the remaining leases. Sailormen had previously closed 20 locations and cited inflationary pressures and a slow recovery in foot traffic post-Covid as reasons for its financial difficulties. The company and Popeyes' parent organization have declined to comment on the specific job impacts of these closures.