ATLANTA, Jan. 30, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFCE) and the world's second-largest quick-service chicken concept, is heating things up with its latest national partnership. Popeyes now has Louisiana Hot Sauce, one of Bruce Foods' most popular brands, available to its flavor-seeking customers in all of its U.S. restaurants.
"The opportunity to partner with Bruce Foods is a win-win for everyone," said Joe Scafido, chief marketing officer for Popeyes. "Our customers are 'lovin' that chicken' with Louisiana Hot Sauce, and our franchisees are excited about Popeyes' inclusion in a Bruce Foods radio buy on the extremely popular Tom Joyner radio show. This is exactly the type of increased marketing reach we are aggressively pursuing."
Other recent examples of Popeyes increasing its marketing reach through national partnerships include a 2002 holiday cross-promotion with Hollywood Video(r) and a major sponsorship of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival(r) this April.
In addition to offering Louisiana Hot Sauce at all its U.S. restaurants, Popeyes' joint venture with Bruce Foods offers customers the chance to win a hot getaway to New Orleans. The "Spice it Up" sweepstakes features a grand prize trip for two to New Orleans including airfare, hotel accommodations, car rental and other sizzling prizes. Entry forms are available in all Popeyes restaurants on trayliners and online at www.popeyes.com. There is no purchase necessary to enter.
Popeyes is a leader in the Cajun segment of the foodservice industry and is the world's second-largest quick-service chicken concept. Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Popeyes has more than 1,672 locations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 21 other countries and achieved 2001 worldwide sales of approximately $1.3 billion. Visit Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits' website at www.popeyes.com.
AFC Enterprises, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of 4,072 restaurants, bakeries and cafes in the United States, Puerto Rico and 33 foreign countries under the brand names Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits, Church's Chicken(tm), Cinnabon(r), Seattle's Best Coffee(r) and Torrefazione Italia(r) Coffee. AFC's primary objective is to be the world's Franchisor of Choice(r) by offering investment opportunities in highly recognizable brands and exceptional franchisee support systems and services. AFC Enterprises(r) had system-wide sales of approximately $2.6 billion in 2001 and can be found on the World Wide Web at www.afce.com.
Bruce Foods manufactures some 180 individual products under more than nine primary brands including "Louisiana," Bruce's Yams, Mexene Chili Products, Louisiana Gold(r), Cajun King(r) and Casa Fiesta(r). Most recently, the company introduced its newest line of products -- Bruce's Sweet Potato Pancake, Muffin and Biscuit Mixes.
Hollywood Video is a registered trademark of Hollywood Management Company. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a registered trademark of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Inc.