Bankrupt Popeyes franchisee Sailormen sells 23 Orlando locations to SBH Foods

Sailormen Inc., the largest U.S. franchisee of Popeyes restaurants, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January after accumulating heavy debt. The company operated 136 outlets in Florida and Georgia, employing about 2,900 people.

During the bankruptcy process, Sailormen has been liquidating its assets. Earlier in the month it sold 97 restaurants to various buyers: 50 to Pulse Restaurant Group, 16 back to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, five to SBH Foods PLK and three to 61 Biscuits. The remaining 39 stores were closed.

A separate sale of 23 Orlando‑area Popeyes locations, originally slated for RFI Ventures at $2.5 million, fell through. Court documents show that SBH Foods PLK LLC stepped in and agreed to purchase the 23 restaurants for $2.7 million, allowing the franchisee to keep operating while seeking new buyers.