Sailormen Inc., Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) announced the 2014 Appetite for a Cure program raised a record $539,863 to help support those affected by neuromuscular disease.

From January 27 through March 16, participating Popeyes restaurants in South Florida and across the Southeast sold $1 coupon cards worth $30 to be used toward free and discounted purchases during future visits. Funds raised through the Appetite for a Cure coupon cards will help support MDA's programs of research and health care services, including MDA summer camp.

“I'm proud of the Sailormen/Popeyes staff and customers who have shown tremendous support for the Appetite for a Cure program to fight back against muscle disease and reach our goal to make the campaign an even bigger success in 2014," says Bob Berg, Sailormen Inc. CEO. "We take pride in supporting the communities we call home and are thrilled to make yet another record-breaking donation to help MDA and the families it serves."

Sailormen Inc. is the largest domestic franchisee of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurants, with 143 locations in seven states. The company has raised more than $4 million for MDA since 2002.

"Sailormen/Popeyes and their customers went above and beyond to make this year's program an amazing success,” says Katie Bobin, divisional director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association chapter in South Florida. “The Appetite for a Cure program is extremely important to our families because it helps raise awareness and funds in a fun, yet meaningful way that will help find treatments and cures for dozens of life-threatening muscle diseases."

The annual coupon program directly helps local families affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases by helping fund MDA's worldwide research program, as well as MDA's network of more than 200 medical clinics. Medical services in South Florida are provided through the MDA Clinic at the University of Miami School of Medicine.