27.07.2026 08:50
Sailormen Inc., one of the largest franchise operators of Popeyes restaurants in the USA, sold its remaining 23 restaurants for $2.67 million as part of the bankruptcy process. The company, which had previously transferred 97 restaurants, closed 39 branches for which no buyers were found, while it was announced that the Popeyes brand continues its operations normally.
Sailormen Inc., one of the largest franchise operators of Popeyes restaurants in the US, has completed the sale of its last major restaurant group under the bankruptcy process. The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida approved the sale of the final 23 Popeyes restaurants operating in the Orlando area to SBH Foods PLK LLC for $2.67 million.
97 RESTAURANTS CHANGED HANDS PREVIOUSLY
The initial plan was for RFI Ventures LLC to purchase these restaurants. However, the sale was canceled because the buyer failed to complete the transaction in time. The restaurants were put back on the market and eventually transferred to SBH Foods PLK LLC.
In June, Sailormen sold a total of 97 Popeyes restaurants to various companies. This included 50 restaurants to Pulse Restaurant Group LLC, 16 to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc., 5 to SBH Foods PLK LLC, and 3 to 61 Biscuits LLC.
39 BRANCHES CLOSED
The company permanently closed 39 Popeyes restaurants for which no buyer was found. According to court documents, closing the unprofitable branches aims to achieve annual cost savings of over $1 million.
BRAND CONTINUES OPERATIONS
It was stated that the bankruptcy process only involves franchise operator Sailormen Inc., while the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen brand continues its normal operations.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Founded in 1987 with 10 restaurants, Sailormen operated 136 Popeyes restaurants in Florida and Georgia and employed approximately 2,900 people before filing for bankruptcy. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under the US Bankruptcy Code in January 2026, following unsuccessful sales attempts, defaults on credit obligations, lawsuits, and store closures.