Sailormen, a franchisee of Miami-based Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, filed for Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.
In the filing, the company cited the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, inflationary pressures, high debt ratios and an “increasingly limited skilled workforce” as key factors behind the bankruptcy.
In the fiscal year ending 2025, Sailormen reported more than $233 million in sales and incurred a net operating loss of nearly $19 million.
The move comes after the company attempted to ease its financial strain by selling 16 Popeyes restaurants in 2023. However, according to court documents, the transaction fell through, leaving the company responsible for leases tied to those sites.
Sailormen currently operates 136 Popeyes restaurants in Florida and Georgia.
The documents indicated that, as of January 15, 2026, the company employed 3,306 employees, including 3,272 hourly workers.
It has not indicated whether any locations might close as a result of the restructuring.
Records indicate the Sailormen were formed in 1984 “for the purpose of owning and operating Popeyes restaurants.”
In July 1987, entrepreneurs Bob Berg and Steve Wemple acquired the company, which at the time had 11 Popeyes stores in the Miami area.
From 1995 to the end of 2000, Sailormen expanded into several additional markets, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, and Mississippi.
Between 2012 and 2018, the company sold its operations in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri and Mississippi, and court documents note that the move was intended to focus on developing new restaurants in Florida and Georgia.
Interfoods of America owns 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Sailormen.
“Popeyes Franchise Sailormen Files for Chapter 11 in Florida” was created and originally published by Verdict Food Service, a brand owned by GlobalData.
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