Several Popeyes restaurants in Georgia will remain open under new ownership after one of the chain’s largest franchise operators won court approval to sell dozens of locations as part of its ongoing bankruptcy restructuring.
A federal bankruptcy judge approved the sale of 97 Popeyes restaurants owned by Miami-based Sailormen Inc. on June 23, allowing the company to move forward with a series of transactions valued at $16.55 million. The approval comes just months after the franchisee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Georgia restaurants among those sold
Sailormen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 15, 2026, citing rising labor costs, inflation, declining customer traffic and approximately $130 million in secured debt.
As part of the approved sale, five Savannah-area Popeyes restaurants were purchased by SBH Foods PLK LLC for $650,000, according to reports. The transaction is expected to keep those restaurants operating under new ownership rather than closing permanently.
Other restaurant groups also acquired Popeyes locations across Florida, preserving the majority of Sailormen’s restaurant portfolio.
Some locations still face closure
Not every restaurant found a buyer during the bankruptcy process. Court filings show that approximately 22 Popeyes locations across Florida and Georgia remain unsold after the auction process, with many locations closing shortly after the bankruptcy process began.
Earlier this week, the bankruptcy court also approved the rejection of leases for those restaurants, clearing the way for permanent closures unless buyers emerge before the process is completed.
While Sailormen’s restructuring affects more than 100 restaurants across two states, it represents only a small portion of the Popeyes system. The brand continues to operate thousands of restaurants worldwide, and most of the locations included in the recent sales are expected to continue serving customers under their new owners.
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