Popeyes(R) Louisiana Kitchen Announces Expansion Plans in Tampa and Orlando

By: Popeyes® | 2 Shares 129 Reads

Chicken QSR Chain Seeks Entrepreneurs to Open New Restaurants in Florida

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFCE), announced today the launch of an aggressive growth plan to increase its presence in Tampa and Orlando, Fla. With the company's dollar share of chicken QSR sales at a 10-year high domestically, Popeyes is poised to rapidly expand domestically and is seeking bold, passionate multi-unit operators to invest in new restaurants in Tampa and Orlando.

As part of the company's 2011 growth plans, the Popeyes development team will be in Tampa to host a franchise seminar on April 12 and Orlando on April 14 to share the benefits of owning a Popeyes' restaurant. To register for the event please visit www.ownapopeyes.com/tampa or www.ownapopeyes.com/orlando or contact 512.436.1770 with any questions.

"For nearly 40 years, Popeyes has passionately delivered its authentic Louisiana food to guests around the world, and after a remarkable 2010 with strong positive results, we are excited about the opportunity to aggressively grow the brand in Tampa and Orlando," said Greg S. Vojnovic, CFE, vice president of development, Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen. "We have built a strong foundation for our domestic business and encourage interested entrepreneurs to attend our franchising seminar to learn how to open a Popeyes restaurant in their community."

In 2010, the Popeyes global system opened 106 new restaurants and total domestic same-store sales increased 2.5 percent compared to 0.6 percent in 2009. In addition, the company announced that Popeyes' Spicy and Mild Bonafide® bone-in-fried chicken beat KFC®'s Original Recipe® bone-in-fried chicken in a national taste test. This marketing initiative combined with other national media advertising delivered strong guest counts and positive same-store sales for the second consecutive year.

At Popeyes, management is on a mission to increase franchisee results in every facet of the business. Profitability and service excellence are achieved with a focus on four strategic pillars that guide every decision – build the brand, run great restaurants, strengthen unit economics and ramp up unit growth.

As part of its Strategic Roadmap, Popeyes is determined to give guests a service experience as distinctive and as superior as its food. In 2008, the company implemented its Guest Experience Monitor (GEM) in all U.S. restaurants, which measures a combination of overall guest satisfaction, intent to return and likelihood to recommend. Tracking this data enables management to make smart, fact-based decisions about the brands growth.

For those interested in franchising, Popeyes is seeking candidates that meet a specific franchisee profile to help build its brand and business. Franchisees should possess a minimum net worth of $500,000 and liquid assets of at least $250,000. Candidates should also have five years proven expertise in owning and operating restaurants.

"Popeyes is a brand with soul, offering a franchise opportunity unlike any other," said Vojnovic. "It's not for everyone and requires a leader who believes in accountability and takes as much pride in serving the front of the house as managing the back."

In an effort to keep the brand competitive, Popeyes offers flexible real estate development opportunities, including free-standing and in-line opportunities. Popeyes also develops in airports, shopping malls, universities as well as other retail environments.

As a true extension of its New Orleans' roots, Popeyes serves seafood including shrimp, crawfish and catfish. The company has received wide recognition throughout the franchise industry, including being ranked in Nation's Restaurant News "Top 100" franchise chains, QSR's "Top 50" franchises and Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 500," among others.

About Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen

Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Popeyes is a leader in the New Orleans segment of the foodservice industry and is the world's second largest quick-service chicken concept in terms of number of units. As of December 26, 2010 Popeyes had 1,977 restaurants in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, and 26 foreign countries. For more information, visit the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Web site at www.popeyes.com.

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