Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is currently under intense scrutiny—not from the frying oil used for their famous chicken, but due to alarming allegations regarding their supply chain. The well-known fast-food chain is facing significant backlash after serious claims emerged about the origins of some of their chicken products. Reports suggest that these allegations involve raw meat being improperly stored in garages, raising concerns about food safety and hygiene.

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Shocking Allegations Against Popeyes: What Are the Claims?

A former supplier has taken legal action against the popular chain, alleging that Popeyes ignored serious warnings regarding the sourcing of their raw chicken from questionable, unmonitored garages located in Ontario. According to legal documents filed on May 26, which were initially reported by The Globe and Mail, ADP Direct Poultry Ltd. accuses Popeyes of not adhering to essential food safety regulations and putting customers’ health at risk.

ADP, previously a supplier of raw chicken for Popeyes in Canada, asserts that their contract was abruptly terminated after they raised concerns about the true source of the meat. The lawsuit explicitly identifies Amjad Farooq Inc., claiming they stored chicken in residential garages without proper refrigeration and transported it in vehicles lacking adequate cooling. Alarmingly, the chicken allegedly bypassed all food safety inspections, suggesting that it may not have been safe for consumption at all.

Deep Dive into the Legal Case Against Popeyes

However, the controversy doesn’t solely rest on Popeyes; Restaurant Services Canada Inc., the logistics provider for the chain, is also implicated in the lawsuit alongside several franchise owners in Toronto. Both entities are accused of collaborating with Popeyes to allegedly offer “unsafe for human consumption” poultry to unsuspecting customers. Despite these serious claims, Popeyes has firmly rejected the allegations, asserting that there is “no evidence” supporting the accusations.

“We believe this former supplier is lashing out after losing our business for a variety of legitimate reasons,” commented Emily Ciantra, Popeyes’ director of communications, in a statement to CTV News Toronto. “We have always been committed to maintaining rigorous safety standards, which include regular inspections conducted by third-party auditors to ensure compliance with our strict protocols.”

Financial Implications of the Lawsuit: What’s at Stake?

ADP Direct Poultry Ltd. appears determined to pursue significant compensation in this lawsuit. The company is seeking a total of over $45 million in damages. Specifically, they are suing Popeyes, Restaurant Brands International (RBI), and Restaurant Services Canada Inc. (RSCI) for $35 million, citing breaches of contract and violations of the Competition Act. The court documents indicate that $30 million of this amount is attributed to lost profits, as ADP’s contract was originally intended to last until 2027 but was cut short unexpectedly. Additionally, they are requesting $5 million to cover expenses incurred from upgrading their facilities to meet Popeyes’ quality requirements.

Furthermore, ADP is seeking $1 million in punitive damages and is pursuing at least an additional $10 million from the unauthorized supplier they claim interfered with their business operations, along with $500,000 in aggravated damages. On top of this, they are demanding that each franchisee involved contribute $150,000 and provide detailed receipts regarding the quantity of “unsafe supply” they allegedly purchased and profited from.

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