IOWA, USA — An owner of five former Popeyes’ locations in Iowa is facing new legal challenges related to almost $1 million in back taxes, penalties and interest.
Last month, Popeyes’ corporate headquarters sued Chicago-based business owner Asif Poonja and Jam Equities, LLC, claiming Poonja continued to use the POPEYES® trademarks and system at five Iowa locations — Des Moines (Merle Hay Road), Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids (East Avenue) and Coralville — after his franchise agreements were terminated.
The former Popeye’s location in Coralville — as well as former locations in Altoona, Cedar Rapids (Blairs Ferry Road NE), Waterloo — now owe almost $1 million in back taxes, penalties and interest, according to a series of distress warrants from the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR) filed Oct. 7…