Florida-based Sailormen, Inc. entered a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding on January 15. The franchise operator runs more than 100 locations of the popular fried chicken chain Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.
Sailormen, Inc. Seeks Chapter 11 Protection to Maintain Operations
According to PACER records, Sailormen, Inc. initiated a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Through the filing, the large Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchisee aims to restructure its business. Regular operations can continue at the Miami, Florida-based company under court supervision.
Attorney Bradley S. Shraiberg is representing Sailormen, Inc. in the bankruptcy case. Judge Robert A. Mark is overseeing the proceedings in the court.
About the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Franchisee
Based in Miami, Sailormen, Inc. employs approximately 2,200 people across its locations and generates millions of dollars in annual sales, according to its LinkedIn profile. In total, the company’s corporate portfolio includes more than 200 stores.
The franchisee and operator of the fried chicken chain Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen run more than 100 restaurants in the Florida and Georgia markets.
In addition to its restaurant operations, Sailormen, Inc. also offers catering services.
Case Details
Court records show the company submitted a 40-page petition along with a $1,738 filing fee. The corporate ownership statement was also filed as part of the first-day filings of the Florida-based franchisee.
Below are important details of the Chapter 11 filing:
- Filing Date: January 15, 2026
- Court and Jurisdiction: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
- Type of Filing: Active, Voluntary Petition
- Chapter: 11
- Case Number: 1:26-bk-10451
- Estimated Assets: $100 million – $500 million
- Estimated Liabilities: $100 million – $500 million
- Reason for Filing: Restructure business under court supervision
The assets and liabilities above are based on RK Consultants, which further says that Sailormen, Inc. owes roughly 200 to 999 creditors.
Court records show that on behalf of Sailormen, Inc., attorney Bradley S. Shraiberg submitted a notice for filing the company resolution. Shraiberg also filed an emergency motion seeking approval to use cash collateral, court records state. Other crucial documents included a Declaration of David M. Baker in support of the First-Day Motions.
Attorney Samuel Hess filed a motion, Inc.’s maintenance of existing bank accounts and cash management system. Hess also submitted an emergency motion for payroll obligations and employee benefits.
Attorney Jacqueline Antillon, while representing the Florida-based franchisee, submitted an emergency motion for adequate protection.
Court records add that Antillon further requested a hearing on emergency motions, including the use of cash collateral, maintenance of existing bank accounts, and payroll obligations and employee benefits. The hearing for these emergency motions is scheduled for January 21, 2026.
The court issued a notice to Sailormen, Inc. regarding incomplete filings for documents, such as the Chapter 11 Case Management Summary, based on Local Rule 2081-1(B). Further filing details indicate that the summary of assets and liabilities, the Statement of Financial Affairs, and the Declaration Concerning Debtors’ Schedules must be submitted by January 29, 2026.
The Florida-based franchisee’s deadline for filing Schedules A/B, D, E/F, G, and H is also January 29, 2026. Later that day, Shraiberg submitted the Chapter 11 Case Management Summary on January 15.
Sailormen, Inc.’s Chapter 11 case remains in its early stages, with several emergency motions and financial disclosures scheduled in the coming weeks. The court’s upcoming hearing will be central to determining how the franchisee moves forward with operations while restructuring under bankruptcy protection.
