A court hearing that could approve the transformation of 14 area chicken joints from KFCs into Popeyes has been postponed until Wednesday.
The hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Minneapolis had been scheduled for Tuesday. It pits the nation's two largest fried chicken chains against each other.
Popeyes' Atlanta-based parent, AFC Enterprises, has a tentative $13.8 million deal for 28 bankrupt KFC outlets, half of which are in the Twin Cities. They are owned by a California-based KFC franchisee, and would be rebranded to Popeyes.
KFC, an arm of Louisville, Ky.-based Yum Brands Inc., has objected to the deal. It's pushing a rival offer from an Oregon-based KFC franchisee who would maintain the KFC brand at all 14 restaurants.
MIKE HUGHLETT
