Patrons at five Iowa restaurants over the past month may have unknowingly been eating counterfeit Popeyes.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, the parent company of the popular fried chicken chain, is suing the owner of five former Iowa franchises, including the location at 4140 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, alleging the stores have remained in business despite Popeyes revoking their licenses to use the company's brand and operating manuals.

In addition to the Merle Hay store, the restaurants are in Waterloo, Coralville, Dubuque and Cedar Rapids. Illinois businessman Asif Poonja, through his company Jam Equities, owns all five locations, according to the complaint.

The complaint, previously reported by KCCI , was filed Sept. 5 in Florida federal court. Poonja and Jam Equities have not responde

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