A major Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchise operator is heading to bankruptcy court — but the headline does notmean Popeyes corporate is filing, or that every restaurant involved is about to close.

Sailormen Inc., a Miami-based Popeyes franchisee that has operated in the system since 1987, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Jan. 15, 2026. The company operates more than 130 Popeyes locations across Florida and Georgia (some industry coverage puts the count at 136), making it one of the chain’s largest franchise groups in the region.

Franchisee filing, not a Popeyes corporate bankruptcy

This case involves Sailormen (the operator) — not Popeyes corporate and not parent company Restaurant Brands International.

In a message referenced in industry reporting, Popeyes leadership said Sailormen’s filing does not reflect the overall health of the Popeyes brand, and that a large majority of Sailormen’s restaurants are expected to remain open while the company restructures.

What pushed Sailormen into Chapter 11

Court-related summaries and industry coverage point to a familiar mix of pressures hitting restaurant operators:

• Inflation and higher operating costs (food, labor, and day-to-day expenses)
• Higher borrowing costs as interest rates climbed
• Liquidity strain, including reports of falling behind on rent and facing pressure from landlords and vendors
• Legal disputes, including vendor-related claims tied to unpaid balances

The failed store sale that worsened the situation

One key detail: Sailormen reportedly tried to sell 16 Georgia restaurants to stabilize finances. That deal fell through, and the company remained responsible for lease guarantees tied to those locations — a liability that can linger even if other stores are performing.

The debt and the lender pressure

Industry reporting describes Sailormen as carrying a heavy debt load — cited at about $130 million overall.

More detailed figures cited in coverage include:

• Over $112 million in unpaid principal loan balance
• Over $17 million in accrued interest and fees

Reporting also points to pressure from BMO (BMO Bank), described as Sailormen’s largest lender. In December 2025, BMO reportedly sought to appoint a receiver, a move that can displace management and take control of a company’s assets. Sailormen’s Chapter 11 filing allows the company to continue operating as a debtor-in-possession while it attempts to reorganize.

Why this matters for “Food” and “Our Economy”

This isn’t just a Popeyes story — it’s a snapshot of what happens when restaurant operators face higher costs, value-conscious consumers, and more expensive debt at the same time.

Chapter 11 is designed to reorganize a business, not automatically liquidate it. For customers, the near-term impact may be limited if most locations stay open.

STM Daily News will follow this story as it develops, including any updates on store operations, restructuring plans, and potential sales of locations.

Sources

• Restaurant Business: “A big Popeyes franchisee files for bankruptcy” https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/big-popeyes-franchisee-files-bankruptcy
• Restaurant Dive: “Large Popeyes franchisee files for Chapter 11” https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/popeyes-frachisee-sailormen-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy-protections/809854/

For more food business headlines and how they connect to the real economy, follow STM Daily News.

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Diva Fam Inc.. announced a voluntary recall of all lots and flavors of its True Sea Moss brand Sea Moss Gel Superfood due to a lack of required regulatory authorization and temperature monitoring records for pH-controlled food products, according to a company statement released January 9, 2026.

The company said the recall applies to products manufactured prior to January 9, 2026. The manufacture date (MFD) is indicated on the can lid in MM/YYYY format.

Why the products are being recalled

Diva Fam said the recall is related to missing required regulatory authorization and temperature monitoring records for certain pH-controlled food products. The company noted that pH-controlled foods that are not manufactured in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements may present a potential risk of microbial growth, including organisms that can produce toxins associated with botulism.

Botulism is a rare but serious illness that can affect the nervous system. Symptoms may include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing or muscle weakness.

Diva Fam said no illnesses or adverse health events have been reported in connection with the products subject to this recall to date.

Where the products were sold

The affected products were distributed nationwide through select retail locations, online via https://truеsеamоss.cоm/, and other distribution channels, according to the company.

Recalled products (all flavors, all lots)

The recall includes all flavors and sizes and batch numbers of True Sea Moss brand Sea Moss Gel Superfood packaged in 16 FL OZ (473 mL) glass jars, manufactured prior to January 9, 2026.

Recalled flavors and UPCs

How the issue was identified

The company said the matter was identified during a California Department of Public Health inspection that raised questions regarding regulatory authorization and related production records for certain distributed products. Diva Fam said it is cooperating fully with regulatory authorities and initiated the voluntary recall to ensure regulatory alignment.

The company said the recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What consumers should do

• Discontinue use of the affected product.
• Follow the instructions provided by the place of purchase regarding product return or disposal.
• Contact the company for additional information (details below).

Consumer and media contact

Consumers seeking additional information may contact:

• Email: support@divafam.com
• Phone: (818) 751-3882
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time

Source: Diva Fam Inc. (PRNewswire, Jan. 9, 2026)

https://stmdailynews.com/culvers-thank-you-farmers-project-hits-8-million-donation-milestone/

The Fetch Finds Report reveals a year of hustle, comfort, and delightfully chaotic shopping carts

Americans in 2025 were a study in contradictions. We hit the gym but also hit the couch. We decluttered our homes while filling our carts. We powered through demanding days with energy gels and powered down with weighted blankets and candles.

That’s the picture painted by Fetch’s first-ever full-year Fetch Finds Report, which analyzed more than $179 billion in consumer transactions. With 12 million receipts submitted daily, the data tells a story that’s equal parts discipline and indulgence—a snapshot of a nation trying to balance the hustle with some much-needed comfort.

6 Wild Truths About America’s 2025 Spending Habits: Fetch Reveals Surprising Consumer Trends

The Six Spending Surprises of 2025

1. The Meatless Revolution Has Expired

Remember when plant-based everything was the future? In 2025, Americans said “thanks, but no thanks” and brought meat back to the table. Fresh beef sales jumped 13%, pork climbed 12%, while refrigerated plant-based alternatives dropped 11%. Despite rising grocery costs, consumers chose the real deal over the meatless alternatives.

2. America’s Eating Out—and Sushi’s on a Roll

Even with tighter budgets, dining out surged. And the big winner? Sushi, with a massive 45.6% increase in trip growth. Mexican restaurants saw a respectable 13.9% bump, and pizza grew 6.7%. But sushi absolutely dominated the dining-out conversation this year.

3. Endurance Nutrition Takes a Victory Lap

Energy chews and gels jumped 27.4% in 2025. Whether Americans were actually running marathons or just trying to survive Monday morning meetings, endurance nutrition became a go-to for powering through demanding days.

4. The Great American Declutter Hit Overdrive

Self-care became shelf-care. Household storage bags surged 55.8%, charging valets climbed 37%, and cleaning gloves rose 13.4%. Getting organized wasn’t just about tidiness—it became an act of wellness. A clean space, a clear mind.

5. Protein Moved into the Pantry

Protein isn’t just for gym bros anymore. Everyday staples got a protein makeover:

• Protein-labeled breakfast cereals: +69.8%
• Protein granola: +45.9%
• Protein dry pasta: +35.4%

Consumers wanted their regular foods to work harder, turning breakfast and dinner into opportunities to fuel up.

6. America Powered Down and Got Comfortable

Comfort became the ultimate status symbol. Loungewear sales soared 218%, weighted blankets climbed 45%, and candles rose 20%. After all that hustle, Americans made winding down a priority—and they weren’t shy about investing in it.

What This Tells Us

The Fetch Finds Report captures something real about 2025: Americans were navigating a shifting economy with a mix of practicality and self-care. We pushed hard during the day and gave ourselves permission to relax at night. We organized our homes, fueled our bodies with protein, and treated ourselves to sushi dinners and cozy nights in.

“Fetch sees what others can’t: how people actually spend based on billions of purchases,” said Jacob Grocholski, Vice President of Analytics at Fetch. “This year, we saw a chaotic mix of discipline and indulgence that defined how people navigated 2025.”

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About the Data

The findings come from Fetch, America’s Rewards App, which captures billions of spending transactions annually using AI and machine learning. With more than 6 million five-star reviews and users submitting 12 million receipts daily, Fetch has unmatched visibility into what consumers actually buy—at the item level, across every channel and retailer.

Want the full breakdown? Read the complete Fetch Finds Report for all the details on America’s 2025 spending habits.

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