Case Intel
- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen accuses five Iowa restaurants of running unlawfully under its name despite terminated franchise agreements.
- Court filings allege repeated food safety and brand standard failures, followed by continued use of Popeyes trademarks after termination.
- The company seeks injunctions, damages, and attorneys’ fees in federal court, with a trial-level showdown set to determine brand protection boundaries.
USA HERALD – Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. has filed a sweeping federal lawsuit against five Iowa restaurants and their operator, Asif Poonja, accusing them of unlawfully continuing to use the Popeyes name, marks, and trade dress after their franchise agreements were terminated.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on September 5, 2025, names as defendants five LLCs tied to Poonja—Jam Equities of Coralville, Jam Equities of E Ave (Cedar Rapids), Jam Equities of Waterloo, Jam Equities of Dubuque, and Jam Equities of Merle Hay (Des Moines)
Popeyes claims each location “failed to comply with Popeyes’ standards and specifications with regard to food safety and brand standards” and, despite repeated notices dating back to 2024, continued operations without authorization
Evidence from the Complaint
The 23-page complaint details a paper trail of default notices and termination letters:
