By Dubuque In Pursuit News

Dubuque, Iowa – September 25, 2025

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has initiated legal action against an Illinois-based franchise owner, alleging unauthorized use of its trademarks at five Iowa locations, including a restaurant in Dubuque. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, targets Asif Poonja and his company, Jam Equities LLC, for continuing to use Popeyes branding after their franchise agreements were terminated.

The complaint focuses on restaurants in Des Moines (Merle Hay), Waterloo, Dubuque, Coralville, and Cedar Rapids (East Avenue). The Dubuque location at 3250 Dodge St. is among those accused of operating with Popeyes signage, menu items, and trademarks despite the termination of the franchise contract due to alleged breaches of operational standards.

According to court documents, Popeyes seeks a court order to remove all branding materials from the locations, financial damages for trademark infringement and unfair competition, and a two-year non-compete clause preventing the defendants from operating a similar chicken restaurant within a 10-mile radius of the affected sites.

The Dubuque restaurant continues to operate, serving items like fried chicken tenders and Cajun fries under the Popeyes logo. The case remains ongoing, with court filings accessible through the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.