ATLANTA, July 31, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits, the world's second-largest chicken chain and a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFCE), is targeting 14 key markets for expansion. These markets are Albuquerque; Charlotte, N.C.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Cleveland; Dayton, Ohio; Denver; Greensboro, N.C.; Indianapolis; Knoxville, Tenn.; Las Vegas; Orlando, Fla.; Raleigh/Durham, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; and Tulsa, Okla. Popeyes is looking for franchisees to develop traditional freestanding and in-line restaurants throughout these areas.
"For 30 years, Popeyes has been a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry," said Brian Lacey, Chief Franchising and Development Officer for Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits. "We feel these dynamic markets hold a great deal of opportunity for the Popeyes brand and look forward to increasing our presence in them."
Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Popeyes now has 289 franchisees and more than 1,622 restaurants in 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 21 other countries. The Popeyes concept is based on the traditions of New Orleans cuisine and culture and features spicy and mild chicken, buttermilk biscuits, world-famous red beans and rice and a line of over-rice dishes called Popeyes Louisiana Legends(TM).
"Popeyes is looking for entrepreneurs who are committed to Popeyes' vision, have proven expertise in restaurant operations and are capable of developing a minimum of three locations," Lacey said. "We work hard to provide equity and opportunity by ensuring women and minorities are included in our reach. We want to become the Franchisor of Choice(r) by supporting our franchisees throughout the entire franchising cycle."
To provide this world-class support, the Popeyes Market Development group helps franchisees select, develop and open sites for their restaurants and advises them throughout the opening process. Once a restaurant opens, Popeyes Business Consultants and field operations support teams work closely with franchisees to provide support that helps the restaurant run successfully.
Jim Eddy of Heartland Chicken, Inc. in Kansas City, Mo., has been a Popeyes franchisee for 18 years. "The support that Popeyes provides is very valuable," he said. "My brother and I operate 12 restaurants and have two under construction. We want to stay with Popeyes and continue to grow. In fact, we've committed to build eight more restaurants to ensure our business continues long after we're gone!"
Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits is a leader in the Cajun segment of the foodservice industry and is the world's second-largest quick-service chicken concept. Popeyes achieved 2001 worldwide sales of approximately $1.3 billion. Visit Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits' Website at www.popeyes.com and www.popeyesfranchising.com.
Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits 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.
Certain statements in this release, and other written or oral statements made by or on 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-looking statements are the cost and availability of our principal food products, labor shortages or increased labor costs, our ability to franchise new units and expand our brands, our and our franchisees' ability to successfully operate existing 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 the 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.
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CONTAACT: Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, Atlanta
Kim Englehardt
(404) 459-4660
kenglehardt@afce.com