ATLANTA, July 29, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Responding to popular demand, Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFCE), is bringing back a spicy summer kick to its Cajun-inspired menu with its Firecracker Shrimp and Firecracker Shrimp Po' Boy sandwich.
First introduced in July 2001, Firecracker Shrimp are tasty Cajun popcorn shrimp marinated in an extra-spicy blend of seasonings and topped with a Firecracker breading. These mouth-watering morsels enjoyed an incredibly successful run last year and are back by overwhelming customer and franchisee demand.
"Our customers and franchisees were really fired up over the taste of Firecracker Shrimp last year," says Joe Scafido, Popeyes' Chief Marketing & Menu Officer. "With so much flavor packed into each bite, they were an instant favorite. We think people are looking forward to seeing them on our menu again."
A Firecracker Basket, which includes Firecracker Shrimp, a biscuit, Cajun battered fries, and tangy Confetti sweet and sour sauce, leads the offerings. Firecracker Shrimp Po' Boy sandwiches are spicy cousins to Popeyes' already delicious seafood Po' Boy sandwiches. Made with Firecracker Shrimp piled onto a six-inch toasted Po' Boy bun, the Firecracker Shrimp Po' Boy comes topped with shredded lettuce, pickle slices and a special complementary sauce.
The Firecracker Shrimp promotion will begin at participating Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits restaurants in most major markets across the country on July 29 and will run through August.
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 1,620 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.
Popeyes is a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFCE), the operator and franchisor of more than 3,896 restaurants, bakeries and cafes in the United States, Puerto Rico, and 30 other countries under the brand names of 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 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.