Popeyes Franchisee Closes 17 Restaurants in Bankruptcy: Full List of Doomed Locations

Fans of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen are seeing more than a dozen locations shut down this month across Georgia and Florida. The closures come after Sailormen Inc., a major Popeyes franchisee, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Florida on January 15, 2026. Sailormen has since shuttered 17 restaurants and is seeking to reject the leases at those sites—with closures occurring as recently as the week of January 26. Here’s what’s behind the bankruptcy, which locations are affected, and what Popeyes and the franchisee have said.

Which Popeyes Locations Are Closing?

Sailormen Inc. closed 17 Popeyes restaurants in Georgia and Florida after its Chapter 11 filing. According to court records dated January 26, the company is seeking to reject the leases at each of those locations. The exact street addresses of all 17 “doomed” locations were reported in connection with the bankruptcy docket; affected areas span Sailormen’s footprint across both states. Sailormen operates approximately 136 Popeyes restaurants in Florida and Georgia in total, so the 17 closures represent a portion of its portfolio while leaving many other sites open during restructuring.

Why Did Sailormen File for Bankruptcy?

Sailormen cited several factors in its bankruptcy petition, including high inflation and borrowing rates and foot traffic that never fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Other reported pressures include a tight labor market and a failed 2023 sale of 16 Georgia locations that left Sailormen responsible for additional lease obligations. The company reported nearly $130 million in debt and employs around 3,272 hourly workers across its remaining locations.

What Popeyes Corporate Says

Popeyes leadership has indicated that most of Sailormen’s locations are still performing. In an internal memo referenced by the brand, Peter Perdue, president of Popeyes in the U.S. and Canada, said that the majority of Sailormen’s locations are profitable. The implication is that the 17 closures are part of a restructuring effort rather than a broad exit from the brand. It remains unclear whether Sailormen will close more restaurants as the Chapter 11 process continues.

What Happens Next?

Bankruptcy proceedings will determine whether Sailormen can reject the leases at the 17 closed sites and how it will restructure its remaining operations. Customers in Georgia and Florida should check with their local Popeyes or the brand’s store locator to confirm whether a specific restaurant is still open. Sailormen did not immediately respond to media requests for comment; a spokesperson for Popeyes referred to the internal memo from Perdue for context on the franchisee’s overall health.

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