Popeyes restaurant closures: See the updated list of doomed locations from a major franchisee

After seeking Chapter 11 protection, Florida-based Sailormen Inc. has revealed in a new court filing that additional Popeyes stores have shuttered for good.

[Photo: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images]

The hits keep coming for fans of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

According to a new court filing from a major franchisee, three additional Popeyes restaurants have permanently shut their doors, bringing the total number of store closures associated with the franchisee’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings to at least 20.

The franchisee, Sailormen Inc. of Miami, Florida, sought Chapter 11 protection earlier this year, citing diminished foot traffic and high inflation. In January, it closed 17 Popeyes restaurants in Florida and Georgia as part of the bankruptcy process, Fast Company previously reported.

The additional three restaurants disclosed this week are all based in Georgia. According to a March 10 filing from Sailormen, all three were closed before its January bankruptcy petition. The company is now seeking to reject the leases on the three properties.

Before its bankruptcy, Sailormen operated over 130 Popeyes restaurants.

It was not immediately clear how many jobs have been lost as a result of the 20 store closures. At the time of its petition, Sailormen said it employed just over 3,300 employees, the vast majority of whom were hourly workers.

It’s also unclear if additional restaurants will close. Sailormen did not respond to requests for comment.

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