SEATTLE, May 31, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Seattle's Best Coffee(r), a subsidiary of AFC Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFCE), today announced the introduction of a unique new summer coffee drink, the Naughty Toddy(r). The Naughty Toddy(r) is a cold coffee beverage, combining a remarkably smooth cold-brewed concentrated coffee made from Seattle's Best Coffee(r), half and half and Seattle's Best Coffee's(r) signature bittersweet chocolate.
The Naughty Toddy(r) ingredients are hand shaken, poured into a cup, then topped with whipped cream and drizzled with proprietary chocolate sauce. The Naughty Toddy(r) is priced at $3.60 for a 16 oz. drink and is available at all Seattle's Best Coffee(r) retail locations.
"The Naughty Toddy(r) is the latest offering of Seattle's Best Coffee's(r) signature cold coffee drinks," said Steve Schickler, president of Seattle Coffee Company, parent company of Seattle's Best Coffee(r). "Charged with flavor and a caffeine punch, the Naughty Toddy(r) is a refreshing treat for a hot summer day."
The Toddy(r) Cold Brew Process
The Naughty Toddy(r) coffee concentrate using Seattle's Best Coffee(r) is made with Toddy(r) Cold Brew, a unique brewing method that uses cold water instead of hot. This ancient brewing style, first used in Peru, takes up to 12 hours and produces a syrupy concentrated coffee. When diluted with hot or cold water, it creates an incredibly smooth, mellow and delicious coffee beverage.
About Seattle's Best Coffee
Founded in 1971, Seattle Coffee Company, a subsidiary of AFC Enterprises, Inc., franchises and operates 191 Seattle's Best Coffee(r) (www.seattlesbest.com) locations in the following markets: Phoenix, Ariz.; Los Angeles, Calif.; San Francisco, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Orlando, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Chicago, Ill.; Notre Dame, Ind.; Gaithersburg, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Portland, Ore.; Pittsburg, Pa.; Dallas, Tex.; Richmond, Va.; and Seattle, Wash. The company also operates 21 Torrefazione Italia(r) Coffee (www.titalia.com/site/) cafes in eight countries. The company has more than 9,000 wholesale points of distribution, including grocery stores, restaurants, foodservice locations, airlines and hotels. Seattle's Best Coffee offers a wide selection of coffee blends including a full line of organic coffee. The company supports TransFair USA, a non-profit monitoring agency, by offering Fair Trade Certified(r) coffee. Seattle's Best Coffee(r) also offers organic coffee certified by the Organic Crop Improvement Association ("OCIA"). The OCIA is an international program of certification to strict organic standards. It is the world's largest organic certification agency and has been accredited by the USDA. OCIA is a respected voice in the international organic community.
AFC Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFCE) is the franchisor and operator of more than 3,896 restaurants, bakeries and cafes in the United States, Puerto Rico, and 30 other countries under the brand names Church's Chicken(tm), Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits, 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 had system-wide sales of approximately $2.6 billion in 2001 and can be found on the World Wide Web at www.afce.com.
Forward-Looking Statement. Certain statements in this release and other written or oral statements made buy or behalf of AFC or its brands are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and our future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-thinking statements are the cost and availability of our principal food products, labor shortages or increased labor costs, our ability to franchise new units and open new units, changes in consumer preferences and demographic trends, competition, general economic, political and regulatory conditions and the risk factors detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2001 and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, since those statements speak only as of the date they are made.
* Toddy is a registered trademark of Toddy Products, Inc.
* Fair Trade Certified is a registered trademark of TransFair USA.